Is It Necessary To Have A Trauma T?

[StellaBlue]

I agree that first and foremost, having a competent, ethical therapist that you trust is the most important thing. A competent therapist will know (and admit) if they aren't equipped to "do" trauma work and can help you find someone who can (even if it's just for that piece of the work. What really astounds me are the number of therapists who claim to be experts in trauma but really are not. At best, these folks are a waste of time, at worst they can seriously retraumatize you.

 

[Deleted member 34424]

Yes, or else they won't understand what you're going through. A normal therapist wouldn't understand and many misdiagnose.

 

[Suzetig]

I think that's a big generalisation. Most therapists now will have been trained in understanding trauma in their basic training and some will have done more in depth research around trauma but may have chosen not to specialise to keep their options open, to balance their case load etc. I know some of very good general therapists that would be more than able to work with trauma and fully understand what's happening when someone is symptomatic.

Specialist trauma Ts can be great, mine is a trauma T and I feel very safe with her but there are good and bad in every profession and in every specialism.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

Yeah I have recently learned I need structure. Psychoanalysis with someone inexperienced in sexual abuse isn't working for me. I need support, reassurance, grounding help, structure. So yeah they should be a trauma T.

 

[Crow]

Trauma therapist trained specifically in Somatic Experiencing therapy

 

[Missycat]

I agree that having a competent T is the priority and most important. I suppose the question to ask yourself is whether you feel the therapy you are having is helping you? I would hope that your T would work with you to find help if they are not able to provide it ie if you were to have EMDR or other trauma specific therapy (or was i just lucky or being naive?)
I did tho have a session with one T who had all the credentials but within a few minutes of being in the session i just had to get out of there - i just didnt feel right with her - i never went back and then had to look for another T, i was lucky that i found my current T who is experienced in dealing with trauma and in particular CSA.
I really hope you find support and wish you well on your journey.

 

[Lucycat]

My T is very experienced in trauma. He 'gets it' when it comes to dissociation and attachment and abandonment. I think I would have spent much longer working with a less experienced T. He knew when to push me and when to hold back. He could see what was safe and what was not. I went through hell in therapy, but he protected me through it and I feel like a different person.

I would not have wanted to share so much intimate personal stuff with someone who was not experienced in carrying such a load. He reassured me that he had his own clinical supervision, and I could tell him everything and anything and he would take care of himself. I really felt that made a difference.

Of course I would suggest a non- trauma therapist is probably better than no therapist. But an expert - or at least someone who has a special interest - must be best.

 

[GWhizz]

I think @Suzetig really covered it.

From someone who's had experience with a few therapists, I can say that speciality was not centrally important.

Unfortunately in Ireland where I live, it would be next to impossible to find a trauma specific T.

I started off with a T who almost put me off therapy for life as she cried when I told her minimal info! My second T was a psychotherapist and great but only in a very general way. She didn't have the skills or qualifications to deal with my issues and she admirably admitted to this and referred me onwards. Long story short, my current T, who is a clinical psychologist (the difference between a psychotherapist and psychologist being huge here) does not specialise in PTSD, but has experience with same, and definitely does her research to keep up to speed and structure our sessions specifically to tackle my issues.

A good therapist will personalise and direct methods unique to you. I don't believe there's ever a one fits all, even for all trauma survivors.

 

[Panda Bear]

I didn't start with a T that had specific trauma training. I needed a guy who wouldn't go anywhere and stand the test if time. At the time, we first came together, what I needed most is what he had to offer. I needed a steadfast presence and trust.

As a grew, so did he. He did eventually become more formally trained in Trauma work and I have greatly benefited from that further education. But really, I need foundational trust, understanding and someone who is willing and capable of adapting to my ever changing needs.

I don't think a specific 'trauma therapist' makes them more capable of helping me. Yes, they may be more educated in issues that may arise as a result of my PTSD/trauma, but that doesn't make them better or more able to help me.

Adaptation, change, trust, love, security and stability.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I honestly dont know if my therapist is specifically listed as a trauma therapist, I didnt look for him and ended up with him on a fluke, was the only male therapist at the time inside the pshychritratic place I was referred to by my step mom's MD when I first moved here. And guess what, I dont care.

I know he has 8 degrees including 2 theological ones, has worked with the severely abused most especially sexual abuse, the addicted, and cult survivors, the "brain washed", the tortured which is about all of my issues, in his career. He worked for a long time as a therapist inside of a rehab. He reads body language and micro expressions and very familiur with disassociation. He is all I could aak for in a therapist, on a fluke, and he may not be a listed trauma specialist.

Dr Drew, http://drdrew.com/ , isnt even a therapist (though he should be), he's an
internist, a GP, and yes, an addiction specialist but he, during an 'ask Dr Drew' chat was the only one that could get me to open up to my past to my therapist. He was able to get me to talk about it, to have the courage to tell my therapist...and he himself isnt even a therapist.

I dont care what their listing is, I care what their training and experience is. Period.

 

[NatBird]

Hello

As someone that's had a lot of short-term (1,2 year) therapy with general therapists I would say that having someone well trained/experienced working with trauma is a must.

My last therapist made great efforts to bring a lot to the surface - it worked (clearly she could see I was ready) but when it arrived and I was in and (often still am) in affective flashback she had no clue what to do. She even began to deny that I was in flashback and when that didn't work, started to tell me it was my responsibility to look after myself too. (as if I didn't know that!) This told me she also understood nothing of the flooding and debilitating hell one can be in when in flashback.
At that point in the process her meaning well, unconditional positive regard and generalist approach was meaningless and I'd go as far as to say dangerous. I sense she thought her Love was all I needed to get through it all. Maybe at another point in the future this could be true but when dissociating and in affective flashback I need someone trauma trained who can help me back.

I would also say it depends on where you're at in your process too. If just starting out and wanting to work at the 'edges' before getting to core stuff then general could be okay. It really depends on what you feel you need.

In my view experience/specialism in trauma and being able to trust the person to be honest, to be human (admiting they don't have all the answers and struggle too) are top.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Reading the replies, I think we are missing something here. Everyone is stating that one must be experienced working with trauma victims, and I agree, but that's their experience, not their title.

I just googled my therapist and he is listed as an individual/marriage, couples/child lienced mental health counselor (so not listed specifically as a trauma therapist) but yet he has worked with many types of trauma including mine many times over. I have a feeling he hasnt worked hands on with many cult suriviors but whom has? Im not holding that against him because in 7 years time he has proven himself way more than capable to handle every bit of my trauma and is the only person i fully trust. He also continues his training all of the time (unsure of how often but often enough to mention it to me several times afterwards) so likely has been training in the continious training about cults, the survivors, and the challenges to over come and im totally happy if he did that early in. Thats just that much more training that he has along with his 8 degrees which i think is overkill but it helps that 2 are theological degrees.

You dont know their experience unless you ask but if you look for a listed trauma therapist i fear you may be missing many therapists that arent listed as such but has much experience as such.

Just my 2 cents.