How To Find A Good Online Trauma Therapist
If you’re living with the effects of trauma, finding the right therapist is one of the most important steps you can take toward healing. But with so many options online, it can be hard to know where to begin.
Not every therapist is trained to work safely and effectively with trauma. And for many people, especially those who’ve been harmed in therapy before, it’s essential to find someone who offers not just professional skill, but also emotional safety and attunement.
This guide walks you through what to look for in an online trauma therapist, how to verify their credentials, and how to tell if someone is truly a good fit.
What to Look for in an online Trauma Therapist
When choosing a trauma therapist, it’s not just about their qualifications, it’s also about how they work and how they make you feel. Trauma recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. You want someone who can support your unique process, at your pace.
Look for someone who:
Is registered with a recognised professional body
Has specialist training in either attachment, early childhood or complex trauma
Works relationally and holistically
Is transparent about their approach and values
Has lived experience of trauma recovery
It can also be helpful to work with a therapist who practises exclusively online.
Therapists who specialise in online work often have more experience creating attunement, safety, and depth through the screen.
They’re attuned to the subtle cues of nervous system regulation in a digital space and know how to offer grounding, containment, and steady presence, so you can feel supported, even from the comfort of your own home.
Therapeutic Approaches that can support trauma recovery
Many trauma therapists use an integrative approach, drawing from different approaches depending on your needs. You may want to look for a therapist who works with one or more of the following:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is based on the understanding that early experiences and unconscious processes shape how we think, feel, and relate in the present. It helps bring these patterns into awareness so they can be understood and worked through. This approach is especially useful for complex trauma, childhood wounding, and long-standing emotional difficulties.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that recognises trauma’s impact on the nervous system. Instead of focusing only on thoughts or memories, it helps you tune into physical sensations, regulate your body’s stress responses, and restore a sense of safety. It’s particularly helpful for trauma that feels stuck in the body.
Transpersonal Therapy
Transpersonal therapy integrates psychological healing with spiritual growth. It supports people exploring meaning, purpose, intuition, altered states, or mystical experiences. This approach recognises that healing can include transformation at the level of the soul, not just symptom relief.
Attachment-Informed Therapy
Attachment-informed therapy is grounded in attachment theory, which explores how our early childhood experiences with our caregivers influence our capacity for trust, emotional regulation, and connection. In therapy, a consistent, attuned relationship helps repair attachment wounds and create new experiences of safety and support.
Can Trauma Therapy Work Online?
Yes, online trauma therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy. In fact, many clients feel safer doing this work from their own space.
A skilled online therapist will know how to:
Track nonverbal cues and nervous system responses, even over video
Offer grounding and containment when things feel overwhelming
Co-create safety without pressure
Respect your pacing and boundaries
Questions to Ask Before You Begin
You can ask these before booking or in an initial consult call:
What is your training in trauma therapy?
How do you support nervous system regulation?
What happens if I feel overwhelmed in a session?
Do you have lived experience of trauma recovery?
Do you specialise in working with clients online?
The right therapist will answer openly and respectfully.
Where to Find Trauma Therapists Online
This directory features therapists who specialise in trauma recovery. Many of them integrate somatic, relational, and depth-oriented modalities, and work from a compassionate, client-led perspective. It’s a good place to find practitioners who truly understand the impact of trauma on every aspect of your being.
This is a great resource for finding practitioners who centre anti-oppressive, decolonised, and liberatory frameworks in their work. It’s especially supportive for those seeking therapy that acknowledges systemic trauma, intergenerational harm, and the intersections of identity, spirituality, and social justice.
Inclusive Therapists is a U.S.-based directory focused on connecting clients with therapists who are neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and culturally responsive. It’s a space to find care that honours your complexity, especially if you’ve felt unsafe, pathologised, or erased in mainstream therapy.
Conclusion
Finding the right therapist takes time, but you deserve support that feels safe, consistent, and aligned with your values. Whether you’re beginning or returning to therapy, I hope this guide helps you feel more confident and informed in choosing a therapist that feels like a right fit for you.
ABOUT ME
I'm a therapeutic counsellor with nearly 10 years of experience supporting people living with trauma in their emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing. I’ve worked in NGOs supporting survivors of sexual assault and family violence, and now offer 100% virtual therapy through my private practice. Many of my clients appreciate the flexibility online sessions can offer.
I’m a registered member of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists, with an Associate Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy, along with training in a number of trauma-informed therapeutic approaches. But more than that, I bring lived experience to my work, including my own journey of recovery from Complex Trauma.
My private practice is currently full but you are welcome to join my waitlist if you are interested in hearing from me when a spot becomes available.
