What makes a “trauma specialist”?
It can be a mine field trying to find the right therapist to support you in your journey. Trying to find a therapist who feels like a good personality or “energetic” match, who has availability that fits with your schedule and a skillset that matches your needs can be like finding a needle in a haystack!
Generalist vs Specialist Therapy
Another layer to consider in selecting a therapist, is what kind of care you may need, whether that is general or specialised.
Generalists usually have a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills to respond a range of issues and needs that clients may present with. Generalist may have a some areas of interest and passion within the broad scope, and may have some preferred approaches they use, but do not exclusively practice or offer services in these areas.
Specialists are defined by their expertise in a certain area of practice, knowledge or skills. Specialists often have years of experience in honing their knowledge and skills within their narrow but extensive practice focus.
It may be helpful to think of the parallel with seeing your GP (General Practitioner) who is your one stop shop for overall health and wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, and identifying when you may need a referral to see a medical specialist such as a gynecologist or gastroenterologist who are specialist in their area of healthcare.
The same may be useful for your mental health care. Seeing a generalist therapist can be a great option for many people seeking support, but sometimes there may be a need or issue that would benefit from someone who has the specialist knowledge and skills for more effective support or treatment.
Therapeutic specialisation may come in a range of forms:
the age / life stage of a client - children, adolescence, adults, later in life, etc
unique population or minority group, eg. women, First Nations, LGBTIQ+, culturally or linguistically diverse groups, etc.
knowledge of a certain topic or issue, eg. neurodiversity, post-natal care, anxiety, trauma, grief, physical health issues, relationships, sexuality, etc.
extensive practice in a particular therapeutic modality, eg. EMDR, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, Schema, etc.
What makes a trauma specialist?
In my view (and this may be debated) - a therapist who is a trauma specialist will have extensive (several years) of practice working with clients who have experienced trauma, and for the most part this has been the primary focus of their practice.
Alongside experience, a trauma specialist will also have engaged in significant upskilling of knowledge and skills relevant to:
Understanding trauma and the impact on the brain, the nervous system, the body, thoughts, emotions, behaviour, relationships, identity, mental and physical health.
The type of trauma they may be working with, eg. interpersonal or relational trauma, physical/sexual trauma, discrimination/hate crimes, survivors of war, natural disasters, grief and loss, medical, institutional or systems abuse.
Therapeutic approaches and modalities which are evidence-based for the impacts of trauma a client may be experiencing and which is appropriate for where a client is at in their journey
Developing clinical skills in creating therapeutic environments which promote safety, empowerment, choice, autonomy and collaboration for clients with trauma
Understanding the services and systems that individuals who have experienced trauma also have to navigate and the impact this can have on their mental health and healing journey (eg. Police, Legal, Child Protection, Income Support and Employment Services).
The hardest reality to accept. Your trauma is not your fault. Your healing is your responsibilty.
If you are seeking the support of a trauma specialist, enquiries are welcome through the Contact Page or to admin@thedawntherapeuticservices.com.
Medicare rebates available with eligible Mental Health Care Plans.
Nicole Staats
Principal Therapist / Accredited Mental Health Social Worker