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Each mental health professional may address trauma in different ways

  • rasika773
  • Oct 16
  • 5 min read

“Hello there! I’m here to provide you with a bit of information on how each mental health professional addresses trauma differently. Experiencing abuse in any form is NOT OKAY, but what you are experiencing as a result of abuse is valid. What you, as a bystander, are going through while supporting a survivor is absolutely okay and typical too!  If you need additional resources or just someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to Imaara Foundation."


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Written by: Samyuktha Sairam


What types of mental health professionals are there?

Mental health professionals (MHPs) are individuals who provide psychological support to those experiencing mental health challenges or psychological disorders. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for psychological support has increased significantly, and the distinctions between different types of mental health professionals have become more pronounced (Khalid et al., 2023).


MHPs also play a crucial role in trauma care. Their work often involves a combination of therapeutic approaches, such as talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR, in particular, involves focusing on a distressing memory while engaging in guided eye movements. This process mimics the activity that occurs during REM sleep, allowing the brain to process and integrate the traumatic experience effectively (Shapiro, 2014).


Some of the most significant types of MHPs include psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and trauma specialists. While these distinctions may seem subtle, there are strict differences in their training, scope of practice, and therapeutic approaches. These distinctions will be explored further in this article (Krans, 2024; Sperrazzo, 2024).

What is the scope of each mental health profession, and how do the patients they treat differ?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who provides support for individuals experiencing psychological disorders. In India, psychiatrists typically complete 4.5 years of study to obtain an MBBS degree, followed by an additional 2–3 years to earn either an MD or DPM in psychiatric medicine. After completing their residency in psychiatry, they undertake various examinations and training in psychotherapy and other interventions used to treat severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, panic disorders, and personality disorders. Psychiatrists are also licensed to prescribe medication to their patients (Sperrazzo, 2024).


A therapist is an individual trained to provide specific therapeutic interventions to people experiencing psychological challenges. Therapists often specialize in particular areas, such as relationship counseling, anxiety disorders, or rehabilitation. Unlike psychiatrists, who complete medical school, therapists generally earn their qualifications through specialized training and certification courses. Therapists should not be confused with psychologists; while therapists primarily focus on clinical practice, psychologists usually hold a Psy.D. or Ph.D. and engage in both research and practice (Kranz, 2024; Henry & Purvis, 2025).


A trauma therapist specializes exclusively in trauma care, reflecting the growing recognition of trauma as a significant psychological concern. Although PTSD has been formally recognized for years, trauma therapy has only recently become a widespread focus within mental health practice (Tsai et al., 2018). As a result, trauma therapy is still developing and may not be as established as other therapeutic approaches. Trauma therapists work specifically with individuals who have experienced traumatic events, helping them stabilize their psychological condition, process their experiences, and address harmful learned behaviors (Contreras, 2020).

How does a psychiatrist address trauma?

As stated previously, psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental disorders. They often collaborate closely with psychologists to provide comprehensive care. In many cases, a psychiatrist primarily prescribes medication and then refers the patient to a psychologist who specializes in trauma-focused therapy or talk therapy.


Psychiatrists also play a critical role in the initial assessment of patients. They are essential in diagnosing conditions and developing a prognosis, which is particularly important in trauma cases. Disorders such as anxiety or depression can sometimes mask other conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, making the psychiatrist’s role in accurate assessment and diagnosis crucial (Future Psych Ketamine Clinics, 2024).

How do therapists and trauma therapists address trauma?

A therapist addresses traumatic experiences in a manner similar to that of a trauma therapist but generally takes a more general approach. They typically begin by creating a safe and supportive environment and adopting a trauma-informed approach, which includes establishing boundaries with the client regarding the traumatic experience. Trauma-informed care operates on the assumption that all individuals seeking therapy may have experienced a traumatic event. This approach allows the individual’s experiences to guide the treatment plan and informs how they respond to the effects of trauma (Yadav et al., 2024).


Therapists often employ techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, and particularly trauma-focused CBT. A key distinction between standard therapy and trauma therapy is the focus of treatment: standard therapy often emphasizes current stressors—how past trauma is presently affecting the individual—while trauma therapy adopts a long-term approach, directly addressing the traumatic experience itself (Giacomucci, 2023).


A trauma therapist, on the other hand, typically follows a three-stage approach: stabilization, processing, and reprogramming. Stabilization is the foundational step and focuses on establishing safety, providing psychoeducation, and promoting self-regulation. This stage helps restore a sense of baseline functioning and ensures the individual feels secure following the traumatic experience.


The processing stage involves integrating the traumatic event into a coherent narrative, often through memory reconsolidation or cognitive processing techniques. Reprogramming focuses on reconnection and the development of coping strategies that support long-term recovery and growth. Trauma therapy emphasizes reducing fear and avoidance while enhancing coping skills, often through cognitive restructuring, which aims to modify harmful thought patterns that may have developed over time (Contreras, 2020; Owens & Gupta, 2024).

How do psychologists address trauma?

Psychologists approach trauma in a way that is similar to therapists in that their methods are generally broad rather than narrowly focused. During their training, psychologists receive a generalist education, while therapists often specialize in a specific demographic or therapeutic intervention. However, psychologists frequently incorporate newer, evidence-based approaches into their practice, reflecting their strong emphasis on research and ongoing professional development.


While a therapist may primarily focus on creating a safe and supportive environment, a psychologist integrates research findings into their practice to enhance assessment and treatment outcomes (Krans, 2024). For example, research plays a critical role in the development of diagnostic tools. By staying current with recent studies, psychologists and psychometricians can improve the accuracy of diagnoses, which in turn leads to better-informed treatment planning. Additionally, new research can introduce innovative treatment methods or refine existing therapies. For instance, traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been adapted into approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based on emerging evidence (Black, 2023).

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