Find a Post-Traumatic Stress Therapist

Understanding post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress is a response to frightening or overwhelming events that can leave a lasting impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It is common to experience intrusive memories, vivid nightmares, a heightened startle response or avoidance of reminders after a traumatic event. For many people these reactions reduce over time, but for others they persist and begin to interfere with day-to-day life, work and relationships.

Trauma can come from a single incident, such as an accident or assault, or from repeated exposure to threatening experiences. How you respond depends on many factors including the nature of the event, your earlier life experiences, your support network and the coping strategies you already use. Therapy can help you understand those responses and find ways to reduce their hold on your day-to-day living.

Signs that you might benefit from therapy

You might consider seeking professional help if your reactions to a traumatic event are causing you ongoing distress or making it difficult to function in the ways you need to. Common signs include recurring intrusive memories or flashbacks that feel as if the event is happening again, frequent nightmares, persistent avoidance of places or people that remind you of the event, and problems with sleep or concentration. You may notice increased irritability, outbursts of anger or difficulty managing mood, and a sense of numbness or disconnection from others.

If you find yourself using alcohol or other behaviours to numb feelings, or if your relationships are suffering because of repeated conflict or withdrawal, therapy can offer structured support. You do not have to wait until symptoms reach a crisis point - early help can reduce longer-term distress and help you develop practical coping skills for everyday situations.

What to expect in therapy for post-traumatic stress

Initial assessment and building safety

Your first sessions are likely to focus on getting a clear picture of what happened, how it is affecting you now and what you hope to achieve. A skilled therapist will take time to build rapport and to help you feel able to talk about difficult experiences at a pace that suits you. They will also work with you to establish immediate coping strategies so that you have tools to manage strong emotions between sessions.

Stabilisation and coping skills

Before engaging in detailed trauma work your therapist may teach you grounding techniques, breathing exercises and strategies to reduce hyperarousal. These are practical skills you can use when intrusive memories or panic appear, and they aim to give you greater control over bodily and emotional reactions. You and your therapist will discuss realistic goals and make a shared plan for how to proceed.

Trauma-focused work and processing

When you and your therapist agree that you are ready, treatment may move to trauma-focused approaches that help you process memories and change unhelpful beliefs linked to the event. This work is usually gradual and carefully paced. Your therapist will support you through difficult material and check in regularly about how the work is affecting you. The exact pace and methods used will reflect your preferences, current stressors and overall wellbeing.

Common therapeutic approaches

Several therapeutic approaches are commonly used with people experiencing post-traumatic stress. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy adapts CBT methods to address intrusive memories and the thoughts that maintain them. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, often called EMDR, uses guided attention exercises alongside memory processing. Narrative approaches help you tell and reframe your story so that the meaning of the event changes over time. Other approaches, including prolonged exposure or cognitive processing techniques, may also be offered by experienced practitioners. Many therapists combine elements from different models to fit your needs.

It is also common to include work on sleep, substance use, and relationships alongside trauma-focused interventions. Your counsellor may ask about any medical or psychiatric treatments you are receiving and may work collaboratively with other professionals if that would help your recovery. When choosing a therapist, you can ask about their training in specific trauma approaches and whether they are registered or accredited with relevant UK bodies such as BACP, HCPC or NCPS.

How online therapy works for post-traumatic stress

Online therapy for trauma has become an established option in recent years and can be very practical if you prefer to meet from home or cannot travel easily. Sessions typically take place by video call, though some practitioners offer phone or message-based options. You will arrange a suitable appointment time and agree with your therapist how to manage any strong reactions that could arise during or after a session. It is important to choose a quiet, private space for your session so you can discuss difficult material without interruptions.

Online work often follows the same structure as face-to-face therapy - assessment, stabilisation and trauma processing - but therapists will pay particular attention to safety planning and to ensuring you have support nearby if needed. Technology needs are minimal for most people - a device with a camera and microphone and a reliable internet connection. If you are unsure whether online work will suit you, many therapists offer an initial consultation where you can discuss the practicalities and make an informed choice.

How to choose the right therapist for post-traumatic stress

Choosing a therapist is a highly personal decision. Start by looking for someone who lists trauma or post-traumatic stress as a specialism and who describes the approaches they use. Check whether they are registered with a recognised professional body such as BACP, HCPC or NCPS and whether they undertake regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development. Registration gives you a clear point of accountability and indicates adherence to professional standards.

Consider practical matters such as fees, session length, availability and whether they offer online appointments at times that suit you. Think about whether you prefer a counsellor who works within a particular therapeutic model, or someone who integrates different approaches. It is reasonable to ask about experience with specific kinds of trauma, for example childhood trauma, sexual violence or military-related experiences, if that is relevant to your history.

Trust and rapport are central. Many therapists offer a brief introductory call or initial session so you can get a sense of their style and decide whether you feel comfortable working with them. You might want to ask how they handle situations where trauma work becomes intense and what steps they take to support clients between sessions. If you do not feel understood or safe with a particular practitioner it is okay to look for someone else - finding a good fit often makes a significant difference to your progress.

Practical considerations and next steps

If you are in immediate danger or feeling unable to keep yourself safe contact emergency services or a crisis line in your area right away. For non-urgent needs you can use the listings on this page to compare credentials, read therapist statements about their approach, and arrange an initial consultation. Keep in mind that progress is often gradual - therapy aims to help you build resilience and practical skills so that trauma memories have less impact on your everyday life.

Seeking help is a positive step and you do not have to manage post-traumatic stress on your own. With an experienced, registered counsellor or therapist you can explore methods that reduce symptoms, restore a sense of control and improve your relationships and daily functioning. Use the profiles below to find a practitioner who meets your needs and book a consultation to discuss how they can support your recovery.