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What is the Difference between: Trauma Specialists and General Trauma Trained Providers?

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Understanding the Differences Between Specialists and General Trained Professionals

When seeking help for trauma-related issues, understanding the distinctions between a trauma specialist and a general trauma-trained professional can help you find the support that best suits your needs. Both types of professionals bring valuable skills to the table, but their expertise and focus differ in meaningful ways.

Here’s a closer look at what sets them apart, along with tips on choosing the right professional for your situation.

General Trauma-Trained Professionals

General trauma-trained professionals have undergone training to recognize and address trauma-related concerns in their clients. While this training enhances their ability to provide informed and sensitive care, it is often part of a broader skill set rather than their primary focus.

Key Features:

  • Breadth of Knowledge: They have foundational knowledge of how trauma impacts mental health and behavior
  • Continuing education requirements: In order to renew license, providers are required to take minimum 30 credits of training in various areas to stay up todate as much as possible with education and modern day concerns. Many providers may go over this amount in areas that may have a greater need pending the population of clients they serve.

Choosing the Right Level of Care: Why Specialist Training Matters

Imagine that you’ve broken your arm. Would you seek help from a therapist or a medical doctor? Would you visit a pharmacy or head straight to the emergency room? The answer depends on the situation and the level of expertise required. The same principle applies to mental health care.

Mental health professionals vary in their training and areas of expertise. Some have general training in trauma-informed care, which equips them to address trauma effectively within their broader scope of practice. Others pursue specialized training, which involves an intensive focus on specific approaches to trauma therapy, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic experiencing, or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). Other types of Specialists include:

  • Brainspotting
  • ART (Accellerated Resolution Therapy)
  • Biofeedbacl
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
  • Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
  • Polyvagal Therapy,

Becoming a trauma specialist often requires:

  • Prerequisite Experience: Professionals may need to accumulate substantial time in practice, often several years, before qualifying for specialist programs.
  • Supervised Training Hours: Many specialist certifications require between 500 and 2,000 hours of practice alongside formal training and supervision.
  • Financial Investment: Specialist programs can be costly, and not all therapists can afford the expense.
  • Time Commitment: Balancing rigorous training with an existing caseload and personal responsibilities can be a challenge for many providers.

These hurdles don’t diminish the value of general trauma-trained professionals, who can still offer effective and compassionate care. However, specialists bring a deeper level of expertise to complex trauma cases.

If you’re looking for a trauma specialist or need help navigating your options, leave a comment. Samantha is happy to assist with referrals to professionals who match your needs. The right provider is out there, and finding the right fit can make all the difference in your healing journey.