What Does It Mean if Your Therapist is a Trauma Specialist?

What Does It Mean to be Trauma Professional?

In the realm of mental health care, the role of helping a client address trauma is something that all licensed psychotherapists are trained to do. However, some choose to specialize their approach even further with continued education in specific techniques and certification. For example a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) is credential that a licensed professional may add on to their training.

Or they may seek out additional training in techniques that address the how to mind and body process trauma such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and other trauma-informed approaches.

For those with longstanding issues stemming from childhood trauma, complex trauma, or unresolved issues from traumatic or horrific events like war, natural disasters, abuse, sexual assault, or other unexpected and terrifying events its especially helpful who crucial for individuals seeking deep, effective support through their healing journey.

At Therapath Patricia Hernandez, LPC is also CCTP, and Sunne Hogan, LPC-S, brings a specialization in EMDR therapy.

And, all of our staff brings a trauma-informed approach to their care.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma informed care is a concept that includes approaching therapy with a deep understanding of how trauma effects the psyche and body. With this often care is tailored to mindfully wade through the waters of trauma with the client with respect. The provider can also help the client address their trauma without overwhelming or re-traumatizing them in the process.

Physically and psychologically resistance to care is a common occurrence when you don't believe, on a deep level, that the provider understands what you've gone through and is sensitive to your lived experience. Since a beneficial therapeutic rapport is necessary for optimal outcomes from therapy and psychiatric services, care that fails to build trust may not meet it therapeutic potential for healing.

One might argue that all therapy and clinical care should, as a standard, be trauma-informed. However, not all providers approach care with the sensitivity necessary to successfully collaborate with a client who has been traumatized. Thus it's helpful for victims of violence, disasters, abuse, and assault to seek out clinicians who can support their healing in a way that feels safe and trustworthy.

Some Common Therapeutic Methods that Address Trauma

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a specialized therapy that involves recalling traumatic memories while engaging in specific eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process assists in reprocessing these memories, diminishing their emotional hold, and facilitating forward movement in your recovery.
• Somatic Experiencing: This method focuses on how trauma is stored in the body. A licensed therapist who specializes in trauma may employ somatic techniques to help you reconnect with your body, release accumulated tension, and soothe an overactive nervous system often heightened by trauma.‍
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Trauma-Focused Lens (TF-CBT): CBT is a foundational element of trauma treatment. It helps identify and alter negative thought patterns and behaviors stemming from trauma. The therapist may use CBT to guide you in challenging and replacing these thoughts with healthier, more constructive ones. Many therapists who offer CBT and work with survivors of trauma modify their CBT approach to offer the mindfulness and sensitivity required to gently develop a circle of safety and trust.
• Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT): Unlike CBT that encourages a reframing of faulty cognitions in order to change behavior, ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility and taking values-based action and behaviors. This modality operates without an aim to remove or change difficult thoughts, stories, and feelings. Through diffusion, or creating distance between the power a thought has over its influence on behavior, the client becomes more empowered to feel anchored in their own present day experience without feeling pressured to 'get rid' of difficult emotions or memories, and build a window of tolerance for the stress that arises when memories of the traumatic experience come up.

• Other Modalities: Depending on their training, therapists might also incorporate techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or mindfulness practices. These methods are selected based on what will be most beneficial for you and your specific needs.

You’re at the Center

The therapeutic process with a therapist who specializes in trauma revolves around your personal experience. They work collaboratively with you, ensuring you feel empowered and in control throughout your healing process. Your therapist should listen attentively, tailoring their approach to best support your recovery at a pace that suits you.

Committed to Ongoing Learning

A key aspect of being a trauma professional is a commitment to ongoing education and professional development. These therapists stay current with the latest research and techniques in trauma therapy, ensuring you receive the highest quality of care throughout your journey.

Trauma-Informed Does Not Mean Clinical

Additionally it is important to know that trauma-informed education may exist in other industry such as life coaching, movement and meditation instruction, and even in human relations. This is a great addition to these fields developing safe and brave spaces for those living with trauma, and innovating practices that may add therapeutic values to a person's care. However they are not a substitute for therapy or psychiatry. Only a licensed clinician is qualified to offer clinical-level care and treatment planning in a therapeutic setting.