It’s possible that it has taken you some time to decide to go to trauma therapy. Now that you’ve made that decision, how do you know the best way to choose your therapist?
It can be difficult to even know what criteria you should be looking for. The fact is that not everyone who calls themselves a trauma therapist is going to be the best choice for you. To help, I’d like to offer you some guidelines that may assist you in making the right choice.
Trauma Therapists Should be Masters at Many Techniques
There is no one “right” way to treat trauma. Any therapist who believes there is probably isn’t going to be much help to you. This only indicates that they’re not flexible and they’re not interested in digging deeper into the issues you’re experiencing.
That being said, your therapist should:
- Know how to stabilize their clients and bring them into a feeling of calmness
- Know the best way to approach laying traumatic memories to rest
- Know how to facilitate the reconciliation between the patient and other people
There are a lot of methods that can be used to treat trauma. Your therapist should be open to exploring many of them with you. If you decide you want to explore other options, that shouldn’t bother your therapist at all.
Therapists Should be Interested in Getting to Know You
This might seem to be a common sense necessity. However, there are therapists who only see their patients under the title of “PTSD patient” or “trauma patient.” You need to know that your therapist will be generally interested in getting to know you as a person. After all, you are an individual with specific needs. It’s not fair, nor is it right to lump you in with all the other patients the therapist sees.
Know this – you are so much more than just a list of symptoms. You are a human being with feelings and a past that are unique to you and you alone.
Make Sure You Feel Safe During Trauma Therapy
If you don’t feel safe or comfortable while you’re receiving therapy, it’s not a good investment of your time. In fact, it could eventually make you feel even worse. You should view your therapist as someone you feel comfortable confiding in; even if you’re not quite ready to do it at this moment. Ask yourself if your therapist appears to be comfortable with themselves, as well as with you. If so, then you may have found a good fit.
During your therapy, you’re going to be doing some hard work. You’re going to explore some areas in your life that you’ve been trying to hide from. It is essential that you feel safe while you’re going through these steps. You don’t want your therapist to be someone who will make you feel judged for how you feel.
It’s so important to me that you find a trauma therapist that you can rely on and trust in. If you’re in need of trauma therapy, I am more than happy to offer my services. You’ll find that I’m empathetic and effective in how I treat my patients.
Please contact me today to make an appointment.
