Therapy & treatment
Trauma Therapy
Trauma-focused therapies help people process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms such as intrusive memories and avoidance. Learn about CPT, prolonged exposure, EMDR and trauma-focused CBT.
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy refers to psychotherapies designed to help people recover from the effects of traumatic experiences. They are the recommended first-line treatments for PTSD and can also help people with other trauma-related difficulties.
Evidence-based approaches
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): helps you examine and change unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma, such as self-blame.
- Prolonged exposure (PE): gradually approaching trauma memories and avoided situations in a safe, structured way.
- Trauma-focused CBT: combines cognitive and behavioral techniques, and is widely used with children and adolescents.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): recalls traumatic memories while engaging in guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements.
What to expect
Most trauma-focused therapies run for about 8 to 16 sessions. Early sessions focus on education and building coping skills. It is common to feel some distress during treatment, and your therapist will help you manage it.
Finding a trauma therapist
Ask potential therapists about their specific training in trauma-focused approaches and how they ensure safety during treatment. See our guide on how to find the right therapist.
Related therapy approaches
Find care
Find the right support
Compare types of care — from online therapy to psychiatry — and learn what to consider before choosing a provider.
Explore care optionsWhen to seek professional help
Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.
Explore care optionsFrequently asked questions
Will I have to talk about every detail of my trauma?
References
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About this article
Written by
ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team
Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.
- First published
- September 8, 2026
- Last updated
- September 21, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending