If you are living with the impacts of complex trauma, it can be hard to reach out for help. This can be harder as finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. Many people say the process is confusing, time-consuming, and sometimes discouraging.
It is important to remember that healing from complex trauma happens in safe and supportive relationships. Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between a therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.
This means the most important factor is not the therapist’s job title, but whether they:
- understand complex trauma
- respect your boundaries
- go at your pace
- listen without judgement
- help you feel safe and supported
Many different professionals provide trauma-informed therapy, including psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, psychiatrists, and others. What matters most is that the practitioner has specific training and experience working with complex trauma survivors in a trauma-informed way.
Complex trauma therapy usually focuses first on stabilisation and safety. This may include supporting you to learn grounding strategies, strengthen your capacity to regulate your emotions and support your nervous system to feel safer, and calm before starting to explore their traumatic experiences.
It is also not uncommon for people to try more than one therapist before finding the right fit. This is a normal part of the process, and not only is it your right, but it’s also very important for you to feel as safe as possible during the process.
If you are unsure where to start, the Blue Knot Helpline can provide information about trauma-informed practitioners and services.
Healing from complex trauma is possible with the right support. The right therapist will respect your boundaries and your need for safety first.
