Choosing a Therapist Who Treats Complex Trauma

What to know and what to expect

As a seasoned trauma therapist and survivor, I’ve encountered folks throughout the years who unwittingly engaged in treatment modalities that did not address their specific needs as complex trauma survivors. While some degree of helpful insight and regulation resulted from these efforts, the possibility of thriving was thwarted by not receiving the proper care.

Although humbly and honestly recognizing the parameters of one’s skill set and area of expertise is a crucial responsibility for all healthcare practitioners, unfortunately, that responsibility is not always upheld. All the more reason why a psychotherapy consumer needs to grasp that a ‘one size fits all’ treatment philosophy is not the panacea. In fact, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Given the extensive nature of complex trauma, comprehensive therapy that considers the needs of the whole person is essential. It’s important for the psychotherapy consumer to understand that simply regurgitating traumatic memories in the presence of a clinician does not constitute complex trauma treatment.

With that in mind, a while back I wrote about how to go about selecting a clinician versed in treating trauma incurred from narcissistic abuse. In that same spirit, I hope to offer a blueprint for vetting a therapist equipped to responsibly treat complex trauma, aka complex PTSD.

Needless to say, who you entrust with your mental health should not be a shot in the dark, especially when grappling with a serious psychological disorder such as complex trauma. Choosing a clinician who will be functioning as a trusted ‘witness’ is a vital consideration, as the strength of the…

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