They say when you know, you know, right? But HOW do you know? Read on to find out! So you can take charge in hiring the therapist who is right for you.
Above: You when you find a therapist that you vibe with.
How Do You Know You Found the Right Trauma Therapist?
1. They specialize in trauma.
This is so important; I can't tell you how many horror stories I hear from clients in their journey to find a therapist. I say this not to scare you, but to give you a leg up in your therapy search. When we're looking to heal from trauma, we need to see someone who has specialized training in trauma. If you go to their Psychology Today profile and they say they treat 10 different things, that's a red flag. Typically, trauma therapists will have training in trauma treatments like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing (SE), or advanced training in dissociation.
2. They let you set the speed.
Oftentimes, trauma involves our choices being taken from us and our voices being silenced. Therefore, its essential that your therapist creates space to empower you to move at your own pace. Healing from trauma isn't always comfortable, but it shouldn't be unbearable. Ultimately, the therapy is for you, not for them; if you feel like they're pushing too hard or have an agenda, trust your gut. I like to say that trauma healing takes as long as it takes, and respecting your edge is critical.
3. They give you actionable skills to ground
One of the most important components in healing from trauma is grounding and reconnecting with your body. This should be the FIRST thing you work on before ever diving into the nitty gritty. Healing from trauma requires the ability for us to look at our trauma without being swallowed up by it and these skills are like our brakes. Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness can be a great way to start to rebuild your relationship with your body.
4. They're Non-Judgmental.
This one may be obvious, but it bears repeating: finding a non-judgmental therapist is key. Trauma is NEVER our fault, and our reactions to it are not something we can control. You should never feel the need to explain or justify why something was traumatic or why you responded the way you did. Period.