About trauma and abuse
On this page you will find therapists who list trauma and abuse among their primary specialties, with information on approaches, experience and languages. Browse the listings below to review profiles and learn more about each practitioner's focus.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether trauma and abuse is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has trauma and abuse among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for trauma and abuse
Pietro (Pete) Martucci, LPCC
Ref 37848
Calm guidance for stress and life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English
View listingAngela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingRoseanne Jackson, LCSW, LCSW-R
Ref 54688
Compassionate, practical help for big life stressors
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingCleo Irish Zorrilla, BACP
Ref 258501
Compassionate, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAmanda Parry, BACP
Ref 142169
Therapist using integrative, exploratory approaches
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingApril Lacey, LCPC
Ref 94106
Helping people find steady change and clearer paths
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingMark Dexter, BACP
Ref 188313
Practical therapy for mood and life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingTiffany Whittington, LMFT
Ref 243569
Compassionate therapist offering practical tools
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingDr. Wanetta "Nita" Hughes Bise, LPC
Ref 7050
Therapist focused on practical support
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingRose Walsh, LPC
Ref 325810
Practical, empathetic support for emotional recovery
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAnastasia Seale, BACP
Ref 173105
Compassionate integrative counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English, Russian
View listingJennifer Hughes, NCPS
Ref 187476
Warm, practical therapy for stress and trauma
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingMalak Alsaidi, LCSW
Ref 203999
Supportive New York LCSW focused on healing
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAnn Keith, LCSW
Ref 103213
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingRebecca Gilmour, BACP
Ref 279125
Flexible pluralistic counsellor for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingPamela DiGangi, LMHC
Ref 26004
Calm, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingMelody Hatter, LCSW, CSW, LISW
Ref 123632
Practical support for anxiety and life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJanet Hardin, LCSW
Ref 55726
Practical, compassionate support for life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSimran Nandhra, BACP
Ref 160587
Compassionate, person-focused counselling
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSydney Fisher, LPC
Ref 187550
Compassionate counselor guiding practical growth
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingThomas Dukes, LMHC
Ref 44134
Experienced counselor with practical focus
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingJonathan Wilkes, BACP
Ref 123145
Calm listening with practical skills
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingTeshane Wilson, LCSW
Ref 307908
Support for stress anxiety and family concerns
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Family Languages: English
View listingRoselyn Robertson, BACP
Ref 202372
Sensitive, practical counselling for life’s difficult moments
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCynthia Rumford-Jones, LCSW
Ref 101833
Calm practical therapist focused on progress
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Anger Languages: English
View listingWendy Mayfield, BACP
Ref 100144
Practical, steady support for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingChris Sergeant, BACP
Ref 104855
Practical support for stress and relationships
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingDawn Nunney, NCPS
Ref 97317
Compassionate person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingWendi Makus, LPC
Ref 48129
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJoseph Setchel, LMHC, LCMHC
Ref 58744
Practical, collaborative counseling for everyday struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Depression Languages: English
View listingEmma Skoglund, LCSW
Ref 342061
Evidence-based guidance for relationships and trauma
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingBetty Adhokorie, BACP
Ref 118948
Practical support for stress, trauma and life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingBrandi Kelly, LA Psychologist
Ref 201932
Experienced Louisiana psychologist focused on practical change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Parenting Languages: English
View listingLatrice Scott, LMHC, LPC
Ref 15171
Supportive counselor for life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Anger Languages: English
View listingDebbie Griffin, NCPS
Ref 183398
Calm guidance for stress and life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCarol Broad, NCPS
Ref 128573
Calm, practical counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingLaKeisha Blackwell, LPC
Ref 16819
Supportive counselor for stress and life changes
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Anger Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJessica Sullivan, BACP
Ref 94142
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJames Hagins, LPC
Ref 233524
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingShawn Alyea, LPC
Ref 14872
Compassionate counselor guiding practical change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Grief Languages: English
View listingKendall Jones, LCSW
Ref 106192
Compassionate LCSW focused on practical support
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, LGBT Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Addictions Languages: English
View listingMore about trauma and abuse
Understanding trauma and abuse and their effects
What trauma and abuse can look like
Trauma and abuse cover a broad range of experiences that can alter how you relate to yourself, others and the world. Trauma can follow a single frightening event, repeated hurtful experiences, or ongoing stressors that overwhelm your ability to cope. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or financial, and it often occurs within relationships where power is imbalanced. The impact is not limited to memories of what happened - it can show up in your body, your sense of self, your relationships and your daily functioning.
How responses vary
Your responses to trauma and abuse are shaped by many factors, including your history, support network, cultural background and current life circumstances. Some people notice anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares. Others feel numb, detached or emotionally flat. You may notice changes in sleep, appetite, concentration or trust. For many, the experience alters how safe the world feels and how you make decisions about relationships or work. Understanding these patterns is a first step toward finding approaches that help you regain a sense of agency and balance.
Signs you might benefit from therapy for trauma and abuse
Emotional and cognitive signals
If you find yourself reliving painful memories, avoiding reminders of what happened, or feeling hypervigilant, these are common indicators that targeted support could help. You might notice intrusive thoughts, persistent shame or guilt, or difficulty managing intense emotions. Sometimes the signs are more subtle, such as a growing sense of emptiness or difficulty trusting others. When these patterns interfere with your ability to work, connect with people or enjoy activities, many people seek therapy to address the root causes and learn new ways of coping.
Behavioral and physical signs
Physical symptoms like chronic tension, headaches, gastrointestinal issues or startled reactions can be linked to unresolved trauma. You may also see changes in behavior - withdrawing from relationships, turning to substances to cope, or acting out in ways that feel out of character. If your sleep is persistently disrupted or nightmares are frequent, that can be another signal that focused therapeutic work could be beneficial. You do not need to reach a crisis point to consider therapy; earlier intervention often makes it easier to build resilience and reduce long-term impact.
What to expect in trauma-focused therapy sessions
The initial phase - assessment and stabilization
Early sessions typically focus on building a working relationship with a therapist and creating safety around the work you will do together. Your therapist will ask about what happened, how it affects your life now, and what your goals are. You will also talk about coping strategies that help you manage intense emotions between sessions. This phase is important because addressing trauma directly without sufficient emotional regulation skills can be overwhelming. A pace that feels manageable for you is central to effective work.
Processing and integration
As therapy progresses, you and your therapist may explore memories, beliefs and sensations tied to the traumatic events. The goal is to process those experiences in a way that reduces their power over your daily life and to integrate new meanings and adaptive responses. Processing can look different depending on the approach and your preferences - it may involve talking, working with your body's sensations, reframing beliefs, or guided experiential practices. Throughout this work you and your therapist will collaborate on when and how to approach difficult material.
Consolidation and moving forward
Later phase work often focuses on strengthening relationships, developing new coping strategies and applying insights to everyday situations. Therapy can help you rebuild confidence, set boundaries and approach relationships with clearer expectations. The pace and outcomes depend on your history and goals, and many people find steady progress even when healing feels nonlinear.
Common therapeutic approaches used for trauma and abuse
Approaches that address memory and meaning
Several approaches seek to help you process distressing memories and shift unhelpful beliefs that arose from trauma. You may find therapists who list cognitive behavioral approaches among their methods, which focus on identifying and modifying patterns of thinking that maintain distress. Some therapists list narrative approaches, where the focus is on reshaping the story you tell about what happened and its meaning in your life. Others list exposure-based methods that support gradual, controlled engagement with memories or reminders to reduce avoidance and anxiety over time.
Body-focused and relational approaches
Because trauma often affects the body and attachment systems, many therapists include somatic or body-centered methods among their approaches. These techniques emphasize awareness of bodily sensations and movement as part of processing. You may also find therapists who list internal systems work, which explores internal parts and how they relate to one another, or those who include skills-based approaches that teach emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Therapists who list emotion-focused work emphasize helping you experience, name and transform painful emotions in a supportive context.
Eye movement and integrative methods
There are approaches that involve bilateral stimulation and specific memory processing techniques; when you read listings you may see therapists who list EMDR among their approaches. Some therapists list mindfulness-informed practices or trauma-informed forms of cognitive therapy. It is helpful to read therapist profiles to learn which approaches they use and how they describe applying them so you can choose someone whose style feels compatible with your preferences.
How online therapy works for trauma and abuse and tips for choosing a therapist
How online sessions are structured
Online therapy for trauma and abuse typically takes place through video or phone sessions that mirror the structure of in-person work. You and your therapist will agree on session length, frequency and the tools you use between meetings. Many people appreciate the convenience of meeting from a familiar setting and the ability to access clinicians in different regions. When working online it is important to establish a comfortable environment where you can speak openly and take care of yourself after difficult sessions. You and your therapist will discuss safety plans and strategies to manage intense emotions between meetings.
Choosing a therapist who fits your needs
When selecting a therapist for trauma and abuse, consider several practical and personal factors. Look at how therapists describe their focus areas, the approaches they list, the populations they mention working with and the languages they offer. Read their statements about working with trauma to get a sense of whether their tone and priorities align with yours. Experience with particular issues or communities may be important to you, as can a therapist's description of how they approach boundaries and pacing. Trust your instincts about whose profile feels approachable and respectful.
Questions to guide your decision
Before you reach out, it can help to clarify what you want from therapy and what makes you feel safe. Consider asking potential therapists how they structure trauma work, how they support clients between sessions and what kinds of outcomes they prioritize. You may want to know how they integrate skills-building with processing work, or how they approach culturally informed care. While profiles provide a starting point, the initial conversation with a therapist is often the best way to assess fit and determine whether their approach aligns with your goals and values.
Finding the right match for trauma and abuse work is a personal process. Using listings to compare specialties, approaches and languages can help you identify therapists whose profiles resonate with your needs. As you explore, focus on how each therapist describes their work and how comfortable you feel with their language and priorities - that comfort is an important foundation for effective therapy.