I just spoke with two survivors who are only now realizing (after years of time and effort) that their therapists are not trained to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It pains my heart to hear this. You’re already fighting to get through the day without being caught in a therapy strategy that won’t help you attain your recovery goals as quickly as feasible. However, two recent stories do not surprise me. In reality, it was my tale as well.
Trauma training is required for qualified PTSD professionals.
I began counseling with a fantastic psychologist who assisted me in finding a way to feel safer in my thoughts, less in pain in my body, and more hopeful about getting better. He was my lifeline for a few years. Then, instead of improving, I began to deteriorate. The more we spoke and attempted to resolve my trauma, got more symptomatic. Unfortunately, this happens to many survivors: talking and talking and talking about trauma can be retraumatizing in and of itself.
When I watched myself breaking apart due to worsening emotional and physical problems, I decided to research and ask questions. Bottom line: my therapist had no idea how to deal with PTSD. It was time for me to leave and seek out a trauma-informed therapist. I learned everything I needed to know about PTSD recovery with her assistance. From there, I created a program that was tailored to my specific needs (more alternative processes than traditional techniques) and completed my 100 percent effective recovery.
It is critical to work with the right PTSD professional.
Working with the proper individuals is essential for PTSD recovery. Both of the survivors I recently met with were receiving counseling from persons who “work with many survivors.” However, when I inquired about the specifics of trauma training, neither practitioner had any. Working with many survivors and trauma does not imply that a practitioner is any good at it, nor does it guarantee that they can help a survivor to liberation.
PTSD treatment and recovery is a difficult process that is best carried out under the supervision of someone who understands the science underlying PTSD symptoms and the most crucial components of healing.