Before becoming a trauma therapist, I thought trauma therapy was this scary process where people had to relive their trauma in order to feel better. I think the media plays a big role in this belief.
Many of my clients share similar fears when I ask what they expect trauma therapy to be like.
I often wonder if this misconception is one of the reasons people hesitate to start trauma therapy. While I can’t speak for all trauma therapists, I hope that explaining what I typically do in the first few sessions can be helpful if you or someone you love is on the fence about starting.
General Therapy vs. Trauma Therapy
General therapists treat a wide range of mental health concerns and may not always have advanced, specialized training in trauma treatment. Trauma therapists, on the other hand, seek out specific training in trauma-focused modalities such as EMDR, parts work, somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and others.
These are big words, but they all point to one important thing: we include the body in treatment.
Decades of research show that trauma is stored not just in the brain, but also in the body. When therapy is purely cognitive or talk-based, the body can be left out—often leading people to continue struggling with trauma symptoms despite years of therapy.
I frequently work with clients who have done talk therapy for years and still feel stuck. When we begin trauma therapy, many start to experience relief.
Takeaway: Trauma therapy works best when the body is included.
What the First Sessions Look Like
Every trauma therapist is different. In my practice, the first few sessions are focused on gathering information similar to a standard therapy intake, family of origin, social support, relationship with food (as I’m also an eating disorder therapist), current symptoms, goals for therapy, and safety concerns.
From the very beginning, I tell clients that answering questions is always optional. It is more than okay to not share something if it feels too dysregulating. It takes me time to assess a client’s window of tolerance, dissociation, and triggers.
When discussing trauma history, I ask for only a few words, like a blog post title. This isn’t because I don’t want to hear your story. It’s because we don’t want to open something we don’t yet know how to regulate or safely close.
Following Sessions
Trauma therapy moves at the client’s pace. Sometimes that means spending weeks or months building rapport and safety. This is not a delay; it’s essential. Trauma therapy is relational, and lasting progress depends on a foundation of trust and stability.
When starting trauma treatments like EMDR therapy, I spend time explaining the phases and what to expect. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and share any concerns.
Trauma therapy is also not linear. We may move into reprocessing, then pause to return to resourcing if life stressors come up. This might include nervous system regulation, parts work, skills building, or talk therapy.
Key Takeaways
If you take anything away from this blog post, I hope it’s that trauma therapy is not about forcing you to relive painful experiences. Trauma therapy is intentional, collaborative, and paced with your nervous system in mind.
You are never expected to share more than what feels safe. A trauma therapist pays close attention to signs of dysregulation and will prioritize stabilization and resourcing before doing any trauma processing. This means learning skills to help your body feel grounded, present, and regulated before touching traumatic material.
Trauma therapy is also not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person may not be right for another, and that’s okay. Part of the work is figuring out what feels supportive for you, whether that includes EMDR, parts work, somatic techniques, talk therapy, or a combination of approaches.
It’s also important to know that progress in trauma therapy doesn’t always look like constant forward movement. There may be times when we slow down, pause, or return to resourcing because life happens. This is not a setback; it’s part of doing trauma work in a way that is sustainable and respectful of your nervous system.
Finally, trauma therapy is not about “fixing” you. Trauma responses are adaptive and often developed to help you survive difficult or overwhelming experiences. The goal of trauma therapy is to help your system feel safer in the present so that those survival responses no longer have to work so hard.
If you’ve been hesitant to start trauma therapy because you’re afraid of being overwhelmed, retraumatized, or pushed too quickly, I hope this offers some reassurance. Trauma therapy should feel supportive, empowering, and grounded in safety. Healing happens at your pace, and you don’t have to do it alone.
By: Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, Trauma and Eating Disorder Therapist at The Eating Disorder Center
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Guest Post Disclaimer: This guest post is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared here, across CPTSDfoundation.org, any CPTSD Foundation website, our associated communities, or our Social Media accounts, is intended to substitute for or supersede the professional advice and direction of your medical or mental health providers. The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CPTSD Foundation. For further details, please review the following: Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Full Disclaimer
Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, is an eating disorder and trauma therapist at The Eating Disorder Center, practicing in Maryland and Virginia. She offers therapy for teens and adults, focusing on the intersection of trauma (including complex trauma and dissociative disorders) and eating disorders. She is passionate about providing compassionate and supportive care for folks struggling with an eating disorder and/or trauma.
Learn more at https://www.theeatingdisordercenter.com/