Therapists for PTSD Near Me | Top Local PTSD Therapists

PTSD therapy helps you process traumatic memories and reduce symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance. Using specialised trauma-focused approaches, therapists help you work through trauma safely and regain control of your life.

What is PTSD?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms fall into several categories:

• Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories that make you feel like the trauma is happening again.
• Avoidance: Avoiding reminders, thoughts, or feelings related to the trauma.
• Negative changes in thoughts and mood: Persistent negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feelings of fear, anger, or shame, and a loss of interest in activities.
• Hyperarousal: Being easily startled, feeling constantly on edge, and having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

Evidence-based trauma therapies

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): Uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to help the brain process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity. It is a highly effective and well-researched approach.¹
• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): Combines cognitive therapy with gradual exposure to trauma memories while teaching coping skills to manage symptoms.
• Prolonged Exposure (PE): Involves systematic, repeated exposure to trauma memories (imaginal exposure) and safe, real-life situations you've been avoiding (in vivo exposure).
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.

PTSD therapy starts with building safety and coping skills, then moves into processing the trauma at your own pace, and finishes by integrating your gains to prevent relapse. For a single-incident trauma, treatment often takes 8-16 sessions.

This depends on the therapeutic approach, but all evidence-based methods handle trauma processing in a structured and safe way.

Approaches that involve detailed recounting

Therapies like Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Trauma-Focused CBT involve recounting the trauma in detail. This is done gradually and with therapist support to help you process the memory and reduce its emotional impact over time.

Approaches with less detailed discussion

In EMDR, you recall the trauma while focusing on bilateral stimulation (like eye movements). You do not need to describe the event in extensive detail for the processing to occur, which many people find easier.

Why processing helps

Avoiding traumatic memories keeps them "stuck" and emotionally charged. Processing helps integrate the memory as a past event, reduces the intensity of triggers, and allows you to regain control over your reactions. It is not about re-traumatising you; it's a safe, structured process done at your pace, after you have built the necessary coping skills with your therapist.

Finding an effective PTSD therapist requires looking for specialised training in trauma-focused therapies, not just general counselling experience.

Essential qualifications

• Training in evidence-based trauma therapies: Look for certification or formal training in EMDR, Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT).
• Experience with trauma: The therapist should have specific experience treating PTSD and, if possible, your type of trauma (e.g., combat, sexual assault, childhood trauma).
• A trauma-informed approach: This means they understand trauma responses, prioritize creating a safe environment, and will not push you to process memories before you are ready.

What to ask potential therapists

Ask directly about their training and experience: "What specific training do you have in trauma therapy?" and "What is your primary approach for treating PTSD?" A qualified trauma therapist will be able to clearly explain their evidence-based methods.

Green flags vs. red flags

A good sign is a therapist who emphasizes building safety and coping skills first. Be cautious if a therapist has no specialized trauma training, uses a vague or purely talk-based approach, or pushes you to discuss details before you feel safe and ready.

Yes. Online therapy for PTSD has become widely available, and research shows it can be effective, though there are important considerations.

Benefits of online PTSD therapy

For many, processing trauma from the safety and comfort of their own home feels more secure. Online therapy also provides access to trauma specialists who may not be available in your local area and eliminates the potential trigger of travelling to an appointment.

What works well online

Evidence-based modalities like EMDR and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) have been successfully adapted for online delivery. A skilled therapist can guide you through bilateral stimulation or cognitive exercises remotely.

Considerations for online therapy

A stable, private internet connection is essential. Your therapist must establish a clear safety plan with you in case of intense distress during a session. While effective for many, online therapy may not be the best fit for individuals with severe, complex PTSD or significant dissociation, where in-person support is preferable.

If previous therapy didn't help, it may be because it wasn't the right type of therapy for PTSD. Not all therapy for trauma is evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy.

Why previous therapy may not have worked

• It wasn't trauma-focused: General supportive "talk therapy" that focuses only on coping skills without processing the underlying trauma is often insufficient for PTSD.
• It wasn't the right approach for you: Different trauma therapies work for different people. If you tried Prolonged Exposure and found it too difficult, EMDR might be a better fit, or vice versa.
• The timing wasn't right: You may not have been in a stable enough life situation to engage in the difficult work of trauma processing.
• The therapist wasn't a trauma specialist: The therapist may have lacked the specific training required to treat PTSD effectively.

The bottom line: Many people who didn't benefit from general therapy find significant relief with a specialised, evidence-based trauma treatment. The key is to find a therapist specifically trained in a modality like EMDR, PE, CPT, or TF-CBT.

The cost of PTSD therapy varies by location and the therapist's credentials. Specialised treatments like EMDR may sometimes have a higher fee.

Ways to manage costs

• Insurance: Most health insurance plans cover PTSD treatment, as it is a recognised medical diagnosis. Check your mental health benefits.
• Veterans and Military: In many countries, there are specific government programs (like the VA in the US) that provide free, high-quality PTSD treatment for veterans and active-duty service members.
• Sliding Scale: Many trauma therapists offer a portion of their caseload at a reduced fee based on income.
• Alternatives: Look for non-profit trauma treatment centres or university training clinics in your area, which often provide lower-cost services.

Considering the significant impact of untreated PTSD on health, relationships, and work, investing in effective therapy can lead to substantial improvements in your quality of life.

For more guidance, see our articles on Therapy Cost Considerations and How to Find Affordable Therapy.