It’s totally normal to feel anxious after experiencing something traumatic. Whether you have a history of childhood trauma, have lived through a natural disaster, or have experienced sexual abuse or harassment, a trauma therapist can help you navigate these overwhelming emotions that make you feel as though your head is spinning or something is weighing you down.
Trauma can disrupt your sense of attachment, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. Sometimes, this anxiety will go away on its own, as not everyone who has experienced trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But, in other cases, anxiety increases. You may feel like your anxiety is out of control, and nothing helps you shake it off. In these moments, it can help to speak with a trauma therapist who understands how trauma affects the nervous system and can guide you toward healing.
According to Kaytee Gillis, LCSW, in her Psychology Today article “What to Look for in a Trauma-Informed Therapist,” survivors of trauma often struggle with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties that can resurface years later. Gillis emphasizes that finding a therapist with trauma-specific expertise, empathy, and strong professional boundaries can make a significant difference in recovery. She also notes that effective trauma therapy may temporarily intensify emotions as deep wounds are explored, but this process is essential for long-term healing and empowerment.
Signs of Trauma
Trauma can cause a significant number of distressing feelings that affect your sense of safety, power/control, self-esteem, trust, and intimacy. Maybe you’re not entirely sure of your symptoms, but people close to you have made comments that you’ve changed.
You’re starting to wonder if you’re dealing with something beyond just anxiety. You’re starting to wonder if maybe you have PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD can include:
Intrusive thoughts or images about the traumatic event
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Nightmares related to the trauma
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Intense emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma
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Sleeping difficulties – challenges falling asleep, staying asleep or restless sleep
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Becoming easily angered or irritated
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Difficulty concentrating
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Feeling on edge, keyed up, or on guard
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Becoming jumpy or easily startled
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Avoiding activities, people, places, and situations that remind you of the trauma
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Trying not to think, talk, or have feelings related to the trauma
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Losing interest in activities that used to be important to you
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Feeling detached from important people in your life
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Feeling unable to experience positive emotions like love or happiness
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Losing a sense that you have a long-term future
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Difficulties trusting people even when they have not given you reason not to
It is important to highlight that not all of these symptoms will be present. Also, the intensity of the PTSD symptoms will vary case by case. If you recognize some of these signs, it might be time to reach out to a trauma therapist who specializes in PTSD and complex trauma. Here’s some good news: PTSD symptoms are treatable, and you can regain your sense of control.
Selecting a Trauma Therapist
Seeking psychotherapy services can be a daunting process. Maybe you have been thinking about getting a therapist, but you don’t know where to start. Or maybe you already tried therapy and didn’t work out because you didn’t like your therapist, avoidance took over, or your symptoms started increasing. I know how frustrating it can be to navigate this process!
If you have protected yourself by avoiding thinking or talking about the trauma, engaging in therapy will cause you to temporarily experience the symptoms. This is part of the therapeutic process. In fact, this lets you know that therapy is working.
For this reason, you need to consider several factors when choosing a trauma therapist:
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Qualifications: Ensure that the provider you choose is licensed and has the experience you need. Not all mental health providers will be trauma therapists. Look for a therapist with expertise in trauma. They should be familiar with various trauma-related issues and treatment approaches.
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Personality: You want to establish a good connection with your therapist. Work with someone who is genuine and open, as they will be identifying your areas for growth and discussing distressing emotions and events with you.
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Comfort and Trust: When choosing a trauma therapist, it’s crucial to prioritize a sense of comfort and trust. You want to work with someone you feel safe with. Trust may take time to develop, and that’s okay. But take into account how you feel when you have your initial consultation, so you are selecting someone who provides a supportive environment for healing and open communication.
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Empathy and Understanding: These qualities form the foundation of a therapeutic relationship conducive to healing and recovery. When you feel heard, seen, and supported, true growth and healing can occur.
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Collaboration: A good trauma therapist should collaborate with you on your treatment plan. They should listen to your needs and involve you in decision-making.
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Scheduling: When choosing a trauma therapist, it is important to identify someone who has the availability that you need. Whether you prefer in-person or virtual, accessibility will be important. Nowadays, with virtual therapy, accessibility increases as you can participate in therapy from work or your home (and even during your lunch break!) without needing to consider the time for the commute (which can be as long as the duration of appointment).
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Therapy Type: Different therapists use different approaches. Choose a therapist whose approach aligns with your goals, needs, and preferences. You may not be familiar with the different types of trauma therapy. Feel free to ask questions about the therapeutic process so you are an active collaborator on your healing journey.
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Communication Style: Consider what communication style you’re most comfortable with. Do you want someone directive or non-directive? Do you want someone analytical who provides lots of facts, data and information?
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Cultural Competence: You may want to consider a therapist’s cultural competence when selecting your provider. Will they be sensitive to your cultural background and values? If you speak multiple languages or are less proficient in English, working with someone bilingual may be beneficial.
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Continued Education: Trauma therapy is an evolving field. A therapist who engages in continued education shows a commitment to staying updated on the latest research and techniques. That’s another reason why choosing a trauma therapist can be helpful—you can speak with someone in your community who’s continually developing their knowledge to better serve local clients.
