Do you need a trauma-informed therapist?

Almost everyone will be exposed to trauma at some point. Experiences like natural disasters, unexpected losses, abuse, or neglect can all be traumatizing. For some people, the distress they feel in the aftermath of trauma will fade in time. But for others, the impact can be long lasting. 

Sometimes, trauma can lead to the onset of mental health conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects about 5% of the U.S. population. To address this, trauma-focused care focuses on recognizing the impact of trauma and adapting treatment to support recovery. This approach has been proven to be effective in many settings. 

How trauma-informed therapy works

One of the benefits of trauma-informed care is that it can be adapted to different environments. For example, it can be applied in various forms of therapy (i.e. individual, group, family, etc.), doctor’s offices, community clinics, and more. 

Regardless of the setting, trauma-informed therapy utilizes six key principles. The goal of this approach is to honor the impact of trauma on people’s physical and mental health and prevent them from being emotionally harmed as they access care.

Trauma-informed therapy respects your journey in the following ways:

• Safety: People can thrive when they feel physically and emotionally safe. Therapists prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable and respected, allowing you to explore your experiences at your own pace.
• Trust and transparency: Building trust involves authenticity, clear communication, and follow-through. Therapists set clear expectations about the therapy process, including session structure, boundaries, and confidentiality, fostering a relationship built on mutual trust.
• Peer support and mutual self-help: Connection with others can be a powerful tool for healing. Trauma-informed therapy recognizes the value of peer support and community resources, encouraging you to seek connections that align with your treatment goals when appropriate.
• Collaboration: Your insights and experiences are essential to the therapeutic process. Trauma-informed therapists collaborate with you to create goals and strategies that honor your unique needs and perspectives, ensuring that you feel heard and involved in your care.
• Empowerment, voice, and choice: Your strengths and preferences are central to the healing process. Trauma-informed therapy emphasizes offering options and encouraging active participation, empowering you to take ownership of your journey.
• Humility and responsiveness: Therapists approach care with an openness to learning and a commitment to inclusivity. Trauma-informed care acknowledges the influence of cultural, social, and personal factors, ensuring that support is responsive to your unique background and experiences.

Trauma-focused techniques and treatments

Many different types of therapy can be used to treat the effects of trauma. However, the two trauma-focused treatments that you’re most likely to encounter are trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). 

These approaches can be used across diverse populations and diagnostic scenarios. However, they both involve:

• Helping people deepen their understanding of how trauma can affect mental and physical well-being
• Teaching people how to cope with triggers 
• Enhancing stress management  
• Increasing emotional regulation
• Improving distress tolerance, especially when exposed to triggers
• Reframing the trauma and what it means in someone’s life today
• Challenging unhelpful emotions (like anger, grief, shame, or sadness) related to the trauma

Is trauma-informed therapy more effective?

Trauma-informed care is an effective means of enhancing treatment outcomes for people who have experienced traumatic events. One study found that this approach can positively affect a wide range of issues, like women’s health, intimate partner violence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and inpatient mental health. Trauma-informed care has also been found to reduce anxiety and depression, prevent future trauma exposure, and enhance overall mental and physical health.  

Finding a trauma-informed therapist

If you’re seeking a trauma-informed therapist, you can take a few steps to help you ensure that you find the right provider for your needs.

1. Ask for a referral. Ask people you trust if they’re working with a trauma-informed provider they can recommend. This might include talking to friends, loved ones, fellow support group members, or other providers.
2. Check a directory. You can visit websites from organizations like the EMDR International Association or the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute to find a certified trauma-informed therapist.
3. Interview potential therapists. During initial meetings or consultations, ask potential providers about their experience treating people who’ve experienced trauma, which elements of trauma-informed care they use in their practice, etc. 
4. Reflect on the conversation. Pay attention to how you feel after having a first conversation with a provider and throughout your treatment experience.While therapy can feel challenging at times, your therapist should still create an environment where you feel safe, welcome, understood, and valued. If that’s not the case, it’s OK to consider whether they’re the best fit for you and explore other options.

Find care with Rula

Trauma is a nearly universal experience. And, for some people, its effects can leave a lasting imprint on their mental and physical health. If you’re struggling in the aftermath of traumatic events, you deserve effective, trauma-informed care that honors the significance of your experiences. 

Fortunately, more providers are becoming trained in this approach, and, thanks to Rula, trauma-informed therapy is now just a few clicks away. Whether you need an individual, group, couples, or family therapist, we invite you to explore our network of over 10,000 providers to find the right therapist for your needs. In just a few minutes, you can select an in-network trauma-informed provider and schedule your first live video session for as soon as tomorrow.

Find a therapist with Rula