Dr. Pinkerman contracts with Wellness Psychological Services to offer services in both our Tampa and St. Pete offices and virtually all across the state of Florida.
Welcome! My name is Dr. Brenda Pinkerman, and I am a licensed psychologist who is trained to treat most mental and behavioral health problems using a mind-body approach. With this approach, I do not consider the individual’s symptoms alone but place them in the larger context of the person’s physical, social, as well as emotional well-being. I work with the individual to help him or her restore well-being and to develop strategies to address underlying problematic behaviors or thinking styles to reduce the likelihood of the symptoms returning. Through this process, I help the individual gain self-understanding and change thinking styles and learn coping skills to deal with their emotional and behavioral problems. Although I am experienced at providing psychological services for a variety of issues and conditions, my strengths lie in treatment of Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar), Trauma & PTSD, Anxiety & OCD, and wellness and lifestyle issues, such as insomnia, chronic pain, stress management, adjustment to chronic medical problems, weight management, and smoking cessation.
Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar) Specialization
Although everyone gets down on occasion, many people experience symptoms of clinical depression that affects their day-to-day functioning at home, work, and/ or school. For these people, daily routines may become overwhelming, and life may feel like a burden. In treatment, I initially focus on helping you to reduce your symptoms and improve their ability to perform daily tasks. However, the path to clinical depression is not the same for all. Because of this, I work with you to identify your depression triggers and contributing factors. Through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we work in-session, as well as do at-home exercises, to change these issues so you can continue improving your well-being and functioning.
Although some people with depression benefit from taking medications in addition to psychotherapy, most people diagnosed with bipolar disorder will take medication to manage symptoms. However, these individuals are likely to benefit from psychotherapy to reduce the episodes of mania and/ or depression. These episodes are frequently brought on by problems coping with stress. I work with you to reduce the effects of stress and to recognize early symptoms of mania or depression. This will allow you to use a personalized plan designed by you in therapy to address your symptoms to prevent symptoms from escalating.
Trauma, PTSD, and Stress Response Specialization
Psychological trauma is the overpowering experience of harmful or potentially harmful events that exceed an individual’s ability to cope with these experiences. These events take on many forms, such as combat-related events, motor vehicle accidents, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, death of a loved one, as well as many other experiences. It is natural to feel distress when confronted with extreme life stressors. Trauma affects individuals in different ways, and there are several different emotional problems that can arise from exposure to trauma and extreme situations. For some, the support of family, friends, and co-workers may be enough to help them heal. But for others, the symptoms linger and continue to cause distress for the individual for months or even years after the event.
Some will develop a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition is best treated by trauma-specific therapies. I offer individuals evidenced based therapies developed to address symptoms of PTSD, including Cognitive-Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
PTSD is not the only condition that can develop from exposure to trauma. Others may develop depression and anxiety conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder or phobias. These conditions are common in people not exposed to trauma, as well as other anxiety conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, such as Cognitive Restructuring, Exposure and Response Prevention, or Mindfulness Based-Stress Reduction interventions, to help you restore well-being and functioning.
WELLNESS & LIFESTYLE CHANGE SPECIALIZATION
Wellness describes the pursuit of a lifestyle that generates a state of well-being in which a person can grow and reach their potential. It is not simply about reducing symptoms or returning to a previous state of functioning but involves preventing disorders and gaining quality of life. Wellness is not the same as the absence of illness, in that people living with chronic mental or physical ailments can grow and improve their quality of life. Frequently lifestyle behaviors rob someone of quality and, sometimes, years, of life. To achieve wellness, I will work with you to discover what is holding you back from making that behavioral change, whether it’s increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, losing weight, changing sleep habits, or any number of behaviors that effect your present, as well as future, quality of life. I can also work with you if you have a chronic medical condition, such as chronic pain, diabetes, or irritable bowel syndrome, to adjust to changes in your life brought on by these conditions and to improve your quality of life.
OTHER PSYCHOTHERAPY SPECIALTY AREAS
- Anger management
- Stress management
- Self-esteem
- CBT for migraine management, chronic pain, insomnia
- Grief and loss
- Relapse prevention
- Relaxation and mindfulness training
- Social anxiety and panic attacks
- Anger management
- Assertiveness and effective communication skills
- Emotion regulation
- Relationship concerns
- Eating disorders and body dysphoria
- Motivational interviewing
THERAPY CONSULTATION
Dr. Pinkerman is available for brief phone consultation to determine if an appointment is the right choice and to discuss a plan for treatment. She can be reached directly at 813-513-0594.