Common Trauma Therapy Techniques

The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning.” 

Trauma can have a number of causes, including accidents, natural disasters, war, assault, abuse, and domestic violence. Each person may respond differently to a potentially traumatic event. Some people may have such a strong reaction that they develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while others may not experience any lasting impacts. When someone experiences trauma, a trauma-informed therapist may employ various trauma therapy techniques depending on the situation and the person’s needs. 

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Trauma therapy techniques

The American Psychological Association (APA) strongly recommends four types of therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and “conditionally recommends” three others. It may be worth noting that a person doesn’t have to experience all the symptoms of PTSD to benefit from therapy for trauma. Below are the therapy modalities recommended by the APA.

Strongly recommended therapy techniques

The APA strongly recommends cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, prolonged exposure, and cognitive processing therapy for PTSD.

Cognitive behavioral therapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) typically helps people identify and replace inaccurate beliefs with more constructive thought processes. For example, therapists may help trauma survivors recognize cognitive distortions, such as overgeneralizing and catastrophic thinking. This process may lead to more accurate and positive thought patterns, which may, in turn, have a positive impact on an individual’s emotions and behaviors. CBT is often conducted over the course of 12 to 16 sessions, and it can be done individually or in groups. 

Cognitive therapy

Based on CBT, cognitive therapy typically aims to change pessimistic thoughts about trauma. Cognitive therapy was developed in the 1960s and has been used to treat a number of mental health challenges. This type of therapy may stop cognitive patterns that have caused disruptions to day-to-day life. 

Prolonged exposure therapy

During prolonged exposure therapy, a therapist may gradually expose a person to their traumatic memories. During this process, the client may realize that traumatic memories do not pose any danger. This may lead to less distress and fewer avoidant behaviors related to traumatic experiences. 

Cognitive processing therapy 

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a type of CBT that is typically conducted over 14 sessions. The therapist typically begins with psychoeducation, teaching clients about PTSD and the therapeutic process. Clients usually write an impact statement in which they express their understanding of the reason that a traumatic event occurred and the ways it has shaped their beliefs about themselves and the world around them. 

Next, clients typically compose an account of the traumatic event and read it to the therapist, who may use Socratic questioning to help clients challenge inaccurate thoughts about the event, including thoughts related to self-blame. The therapist typically helps them use these strategies outside of therapy to improve daily functioning.

Conditionally recommended trauma therapy techniques

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, brief eclectic psychotherapy, and narrative exposure therapy may be helpful for some individuals with PTSD, depending on their needs and circumstances.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy typically employs bilateral stimulation as a person recalls traumatic memories. A therapist may make certain movements with a finger to guide the client in making bilateral eye movements. This process tends to differ from other forms of therapy, which usually focus on the emotions surrounding an event, and instead focuses directly on the traumatic memory, aiming to change the way it is stored by the brain.

Brief eclectic psychotherapy

Brief eclectic psychotherapy is a manualized type of therapy that typically consists of 16 sessions. The beginning phase tends to focus on psychoeducation, usually teaching the client about PTSD and the therapeutic process.

During the next five sessions, the client typically discusses the traumatic event, and the therapist may ask them to bring items that remind them of the event, such as pictures. The therapist may teach them relaxation techniques and help them process challenging emotions. 

Mid-treatment, during session seven, the client and therapist typically talk about treatment progress. From sessions eight through 15, they may discuss how the traumatic event changed the client’s perception of the world, as well as anything the client may have learned from the traumatic event. 

In the final session, the client typically participates in a farewell ritual, during which they may recognize that PTSD now forms part of their past. The therapist may also help the client form a relapse prevention plan. 

Narrative exposure therapy

Narrative exposure therapy is typically conducted in groups, and it has often been used with refugees and others who have experienced socio-political trauma. This type of therapy typically aims to help people construct a coherent life narrative. Although this typically focuses on a particular traumatic event, clients may also discuss positive life experiences as part of their overall life journeys. At the end of the therapy process, the therapist usually presents the client with an autobiography, which may help them see their traumatic memories from a new perspective. 

Additional strategies for treating trauma

In addition to the above therapy techniques, some people may be prescribed medication for PTSD. There are currently two medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PTSD: sertraline and paroxetine. Always speak to your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the way you take medication, and be sure to consult them regarding any side effects.

Are you experiencing the effects of trauma?

Connect with a licensed therapist online

Getting help with trauma therapy techniques

If you’re experiencing the effects of trauma but aren’t sure which techniques are best for you, it may help to speak with a licensed therapist. A therapist may be able to assess your specific situation and determine which trauma therapy techniques could be most effective.

If you are hesitant to talk about trauma in a traditional in-office therapy setting, you might consider online therapy. With an online therapy platform, you can communicate with a therapist through audio, video, or live chat. You can also contact your therapist at any time via in-app messaging, and they’ll typically respond as soon as they are able. This feature may prove to be especially helpful if you experience flashbacks or other trauma symptoms in between therapy sessions. 

Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. One study published in 2023 found that online cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-TF) was usually effective for mild to moderate PTSD. The researchers also found that online therapy was often significantly more affordable than in-person therapy.