Difference between Counselling and Trauma Therapy

All our trauma therapists are trained counsellors but understanding the distinctions between a trauma therapist and a counsellor can help you make an informed decision about the type of support you need. While both professionals provide valuable mental health services, their training, focus, and methods often differ.

A trauma therapist is specifically trained to work with individuals who have experienced trauma. This could include childhood abuse, sexual assault, military combat, natural disasters, or any other event that has caused significant psychological distress.

Counsellors provide a broader range of support for various life issues and psychological concerns. They help clients navigate challenges such as relationship problems, career difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, and personal development.

Methods and Approaches:
Trauma therapists often employ specialised techniques designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. These may therapists like:

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Somatic Experiencing
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Counsellors use a variety of therapeutic approaches depending on the client’s needs and the counsellor’s training. These may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Scope of Practice:
The primary focus of a trauma therapist is to address the impacts of trauma. They help clients understand and manage symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dissociation, anxiety, and depression that often accompany traumatic experiences.

The work of a counsellor is varied depending on the modality that the counsellor works within and setting. Typically counselling focuses on improving overall mental health and well-being. While they can certainly help clients deal with traumatic experiences, their training is not as specialised as that of a trauma therapist.

Credentials and Qualifications:
Trauma therapists have received additional training/certification in trauma specific therapies which is likely took over a year to complete and have specialist trauma supervision. They may also have qualified as a social worker, psychologist or counsellor.

Counsellors usually have a degree or diploma in counselling or psychology. There are many different schools of therapy from CBT, psychodynamic and person centred to name a few. They work in a variety of settings to include the NHS, Employee Assistance Programmes, private practice, community settings, schools, prisons etc.

Choosing the Right Professional

When deciding between a trauma therapist and a counsellor, consider the nature of the issues you are facing. If your primary concern is related to a traumatic experience, seeking a trauma therapist may be more beneficial. For broader mental health support, a counsellor may be the appropriate choice. Both professionals play essential roles in promoting mental health and well-being, and the right fit depends on your specific needs and goals