Finding A Trauma Therapist
When someone experiences abuse and/or trauma in a faith-based context, it creates a deep wound. How each person goes about incorporating this trauma into their understanding of themselves, the world around them, and God will vary. For many, the best path includes working with a licensed mental health therapist. Each month, GRACE receives several emails asking if we either provide therapy or can refer to a therapist. While we don’t provide therapy, we often share ideas about how to find a therapist who could be a good fit.
Before we jump in, let us remind you that not all therapists will be a good fit, and ultimately, you have the right to screen the therapists you’re considering. You get to decide if they are right for you and if they have the skills and specialties you feel you need. You can disagree with your therapist. You can change therapists. Once you make an appointment, that does not mean you are locked in forever.
Below is a list of strategies for finding a trauma-informed therapist; please be aware that it is not exhaustive, but rather a place to begin.
First, consider if there are any specific characteristics about the therapist that you feel are important or essential. This may include gender, age, therapeutic approach, faith background/experience, cultural background/experience, location, in-person/remote, or other factors. Some of these may be preferences, but not absolute requirements for you; some may be absolute requirements for you. Once you have identified these, let any therapist you are considering know that these things are important to you. It may take a bit longer, but basic screening questions like these make it more likely that you will find someone who is equipped to walk alongside you in your healing journey.
Once you have outlined some of the core characteristics important to you in a therapist, ask yourself why you are considering therapy. For example, if you hoping work through the ways that a past trauma is affecting you, seek out therapists who are skilled with that need. Almost every therapist has worked with trauma at some point, so the best option is a therapist that specializes in trauma, rather than someone who has just worked with it. In the absence of that specialty, the therapist may not be equipped with the skillset necessary to meet your needs.
If you are looking for support for a specific type of trauma, such as sexual assault, faith-related abuse, etc., ask if the therapist has a specialty or experience with the specific elements of this trauma. Questions to consider asking include:
What percentage of your clients are dealing with trauma?
What type of therapy do you do, and has it been shown effective specifically for trauma? Do you have any specialized certifications?
How do you think trauma impacts a person and their mental health?
Do you have any articles or other resources you would recommend about trauma?
What kinds of trauma do you work with?
Have you worked much with (a specific type of trauma)?
How would you do therapy with someone like me?
Potential therapists should also understand and prioritize a trauma-informed therapy practice. The term “trauma-informed” gets tossed around by a great many therapists and organizations who never actually define what that means in practicality. According to SAMSHA, the key principles of trauma-informed practice include 1) safety; 2) trustworthiness and transparency; 3) peer support; 4) collaboration and mutuality; 5) empowerment, voice, and choice; and 6) historical, cultural, and gender factors associated with trauma. Don’t be afraid to ask any potential therapists about their understanding of trauma-informed practice and how it influences the way they do therapy. You may ask questions such as:
How do you define trauma-informed practice?
What training have you had on trauma-informed practice?
Why do you think trauma-informed practice is important?
What are some things you have done to implement trauma-informed practices?
What are your thoughts on (the six principles listed above)?
Finally, as you seek and eventually find a therapist, don’t forget that you are the expert of your life and you bring your own wisdom to the therapy room. A big part of therapy is helping someone discover and name the things they already know but have been unable to articulate. In other words, YOU play a central role in the therapeutic process. A good therapist should be open to your input, open to your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with how things are going, and to other impressions you have about them and therapy. They should welcome your wisdom. That said, part of their role as mental health professionals is also to challenge potentially inaccurate thinking or unhealthy patterns. When you meet with a therapist, consider if they find the right balance of challenging you and honoring your wisdom, knowledge, and life experience.
You can find additional guidance, including finding a therapist for complex PTSD, from the CPTSD foundation at https://cptsdfoundation.org/2020/08/17/how-to-find-the-therapist-that-is-right-for-you/.
* If the need for therapy is urgent, such as when a person is considering harming themselves or others, you can ask a therapist to see you until you find one that better meets your needs. They may even be able to help you find that therapist.