Hi there! It's me again, Bee, and I’m behind the content at C-PTSD Support Kit. If you haven’t met me already, I am a survivor of child abuse and I am sharing my journey so that you can fast-track your healing. I share my tried and tested methods which shifted me from...

well,

wanting to die.

To being hungry for every day that comes my way.

I am proof that no matter how hard it seems right now, it's worth putting in the work for. And the best part? I’m telling you the shortcuts so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did and you can fast-track your healing. Sounds pretty cool, right?

So, now the intros are made, let’s move on to breaking down C-PTSD so it's less terrifying to you!

One of the most important steps in my healing journey was finding the right therapist. I went through SO MANY counselors, therapists, and psychologists until I finally landed on a C-PTSD-specialized therapist. That was the moment that changed my life.

You, like many people, may read “counselor, therapist, and psychologist” and assume they're the same. Or, you’re aware of some differences but can’t put your finger on what they are. That is common. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different types of mental health professionals. So let’s dive into the differences, as well as the types available to you.

Common Misconceptions

Let's start with the common misconceptions. Many people think that therapists, counselors, and psychologists are all the same, but there are important differences between them. Whilst all three often provide talk therapy, the level of education and training required for each profession can vary:

Therapists and psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree, whilst counselors may have a master's or a certification in therapy.

Psychologists are on another level because they are also trained in psychological testing, while therapists and counselors generally aren't.

Key Differences

Now, let's talk about the differences between these professions. Therapists, counselors, and psychologists all provide talk therapy to help people improve their mental health. However, there are differences in their approaches and areas of expertise:

Therapists typically provide psychotherapy, which focuses on addressing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral issues. They use various techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy, to help their clients.

Counselors also provide talk therapy, but they focus more on providing guidance and support to help their clients overcome specific challenges or transitions. They use techniques such as solution-focused therapy or person-centered therapy.

Psychologists are trained in the science of behavior and mental processes. They may use techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or other evidence-based treatments to help their clients.

What is available to you?

Now, let's talk about the types of specialist CPTSD therapists, counselors, or psychologists available to you. When it comes to C-PTSD, it's important to find a therapist who has specific training and experience in treating trauma. I can’t stress this enough. Having a trauma-based therapist employing techniques specific to PTSD and C-PTSD is essential to healing. There are a few different types of specialists you could use:

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) therapists: These therapists use a specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been adapted for trauma survivors. They may use techniques such as exposure therapy, relaxation training, or cognitive restructuring to help clients overcome trauma-related symptoms.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapists: EMDR is a type of therapy that helps clients process traumatic memories and reduce the intensity of associated emotions. EMDR therapists may use eye movements, tapping, or other stimuli to facilitate this processing.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) therapists: DBT is a type of therapy that helps people manage intense emotions and improve relationships with others. DBT therapists may use mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness techniques to help clients manage trauma-related symptoms.

Psychodynamic therapists: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on helping clients understand how past experiences have shaped their current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Psychodynamic therapists may help clients uncover and process traumatic experiences to improve mental health.

Aaaand that’s all for now!

All this information is by no means saying I don’t support or rate non-C-PTSD therapists. Quite the contrary.

Whilst any mental health professional can help you with CPTSD, a specialist will have more knowledge and experience with trauma-related issues. That means they understand how trauma affects the brain, body, and emotions so you can feel confident that you are receiving the best possible care.

In conclusion, finding the right therapist, counselor, or psychologist is an important step in your healing journey. Remember that therapists, counselors, and psychologists are not all the same and that it's important to find a CPTSD specialist with the appropriate training and experience. With the right professional support, you can overcome the effects of trauma and move forward with your life.

"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness." - Bessel van der Kolk.

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