Therapists and counsellors in the US, UK and Australia who list CBT among their approaches Need help now?
Reframe&Rebuild.org

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Find Therapists for Post-Traumatic Stress Support

On this page you will find therapists who list post-traumatic stress among their specialty areas, along with details about their approaches, credentials and languages. Browse the listings below to learn more about professionals who focus on helping people manage the effects of trauma.

Understanding post-traumatic stress and how it can affect you

Post-traumatic stress refers to a range of emotional, cognitive and physical responses that can follow exposure to a distressing event or series of events. People experience these responses in different ways - some notice intrusive memories, nightmares or flashbacks that interrupt daily life, while others feel a persistent sense of threat, heightened startle reactions, or difficulty trusting others. Your relationships, work, sleep and sense of safety can all be affected even when the original event is no longer happening. Over time, avoidance of reminders and numbing of emotions can develop as ways to cope, which may reduce immediate discomfort but also make it harder to process the experience and move forward.

It helps to remember that reactions to trauma are varied and that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will have ongoing symptoms. The intensity, duration and combination of symptoms - and how they affect your functioning - are what typically guide whether seeking specialized support is appropriate. Therapy for post-traumatic stress aims to reduce distressing symptoms, improve your ability to manage triggers and rebuild a sense of control and meaning after traumatic experiences.

Signs you might benefit from post-traumatic stress therapy

You may want to consider looking for a therapist if you find that memories of a past event are frequent, overwhelming or intrusive enough to interfere with your day-to-day life. Persistent avoidance of places, people or activities that remind you of the event can indicate that you are maintaining distress through avoidance. Sleep problems, recurring nightmares, and difficulty concentrating are common and can erode your resilience over time. You might notice an increase in irritability, anger, or a sense of being constantly on guard, which can strain relationships and make work or school more difficult.

Emotional numbing, feeling disconnected from others, or a shift in beliefs about yourself and the world - for example, feeling that you are unsafe or that people cannot be trusted - are important signals that targeted support could help. Sometimes physical symptoms such as tension, headaches or gastrointestinal distress are linked to persistent stress reactions. If these signs are present and affecting your ability to function, therapy can offer tools to manage symptoms and to process the experience in a paced, supportive way.

What to expect in therapy for post-traumatic stress

Initial sessions and assessment

In the first few sessions you can expect your therapist to ask about your history, the event or events that are affecting you, current symptoms and how those symptoms impact your daily life. This assessment helps shape a treatment plan that reflects your priorities and goals. You and the therapist will likely discuss what feels manageable to address first and set a pace that respects your comfort and safety. You should feel free to ask about a therapist’s approach to trauma, how they work with people who have similar concerns, and what techniques they commonly use. Remember that therapists describe their methods in different ways, and you can look for language that aligns with how you want to work on healing.

Ongoing sessions and pacing

Ongoing sessions often include building coping skills to manage distress between meetings, practicing strategies for grounding when memories or triggers arise, and gradually addressing the memories and meanings connected to the trauma. Some therapists focus on skills to reduce physiological arousal and improve sleep and concentration, while others emphasize processing the story of the event and how it fits into your life. The rhythm of sessions may shift over time from stabilizing symptoms to targeted work on traumatic memories and then to consolidation and relapse prevention. You should expect collaboration about goals and adjustments if something feels overwhelming or insufficiently helpful.

Common therapeutic approaches you may encounter

Therapists use a variety of approaches when working with post-traumatic stress. Cognitive-behavioral strategies often appear, helping you identify and shift patterns of thinking that keep fear and avoidance in place. Some clinicians describe exposure-based techniques that involve gradual, supported confrontation with memories or situations you have been avoiding. Other practitioners highlight narrative-focused work that helps you make sense of what happened and how it has shaped your beliefs. You may also find therapists who list EMDR among their approaches, or who use mindfulness and body-based methods to address physiological aspects of stress. It is important to note that seeing an approach listed in a profile does not by itself guarantee specific training - profiles indicate what a therapist uses in practice, and you can ask directly about their experience and how they apply particular methods to trauma-related concerns.

How online therapy can work for post-traumatic stress

Online therapy offers an accessible way to connect with professionals who focus on post-traumatic stress, especially if in-person options are limited by location or mobility. Sessions typically occur through video or phone calls, and many therapists adapt established trauma-focused techniques for remote delivery. You can work on skills for managing anxiety, practice grounding exercises, and engage in narrative or cognitive work in a virtual format. For some people, being in a familiar environment during sessions makes it easier to practice coping skills and to integrate changes into daily life. For others, an in-person setting feels more comfortable; your preferences should guide the choice between online and face-to-face care.

When you pursue online therapy, consider practical factors such as the technology used, privacy of the session environment, and how you will handle moments of heightened distress between sessions. You may discuss with your therapist strategies for staying regulated outside of appointments and identify local resources if additional in-person support is needed. Many therapists are experienced in tailoring their approach to the online context, but it is reasonable to ask how they adapt specific techniques for remote work and what supports they recommend to maintain emotional safety during and between sessions.

Choosing a therapist for post-traumatic stress - practical tips

Start by thinking about the characteristics that matter most to you. Some people prefer a therapist who emphasizes skills and symptom management, while others seek someone whose work centers on processing memories and meaning. Profiles that list focus areas, approaches, credentials and languages can help you identify clinicians whose descriptions align with your priorities. Experience with trauma-related work is often described in terms of populations or types of concerns a therapist has worked with, so look for language that matches your situation rather than assuming a particular label implies expertise.

Consider logistical and relational factors as well. The languages a therapist speaks, their communication style, and whether their approach feels collaborative or directive can all affect the therapeutic fit. You can read profiles to get a sense of how therapists describe their work and then reach out to ask questions about their perspectives on safety, pacing and how they support clients through difficult emotions. Trust your sense of connection after an initial conversation - feeling heard and respected is a key element of effective therapy. Finally, plan for practicalities such as session length, fees and how notes or documentation are handled, as these elements help you establish a stable framework for committing to the work.

When exploring the listings below, use the profile details to compare focus areas, approaches, credentials and languages, and to identify professionals whose descriptions resonate with what you want from therapy. Taking time to find a therapist who matches your needs increases the chance that you will feel comfortable engaging with the process and making steady progress toward managing post-traumatic stress.

Browse therapist profiles by location

Alabama

134 therapists

Alaska

18 therapists

Arizona

114 therapists

Arkansas

67 therapists

Australia

138 therapists

California

590 therapists

Colorado

188 therapists

Connecticut

63 therapists

Delaware

19 therapists

District of Columbia

24 therapists

Florida

979 therapists

Georgia

291 therapists

Hawaii

27 therapists

Idaho

47 therapists

Illinois

294 therapists

Indiana

136 therapists

Iowa

40 therapists

Kansas

68 therapists

Kentucky

108 therapists

Louisiana

170 therapists

Maine

40 therapists

Maryland

114 therapists

Massachusetts

91 therapists

Michigan

320 therapists

Minnesota

93 therapists

Mississippi

90 therapists

Missouri

232 therapists

Montana

54 therapists

Nebraska

35 therapists

Nevada

47 therapists

New Hampshire

23 therapists

New Jersey

182 therapists

New Mexico

52 therapists

New York

351 therapists

North Carolina

348 therapists

North Dakota

11 therapists

Ohio

216 therapists

Oklahoma

127 therapists

Oregon

67 therapists

Pennsylvania

281 therapists

Rhode Island

15 therapists

South Carolina

169 therapists

South Dakota

18 therapists

Tennessee

139 therapists

Texas

898 therapists

United Kingdom

912 therapists

Utah

67 therapists

Vermont

13 therapists

Virginia

179 therapists

Washington

120 therapists

West Virginia

29 therapists

Wisconsin

128 therapists

Wyoming

24 therapists

Find a therapist