How to Become a PTSD therapist?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health concern (Olatunji et al., 2009; Shurr et al., 2009) that can follow the experience of a traumatic event and is characterized by trauma-related re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance, changes in thinking and mood and changes in physiological arousal and reactivity (APA, 2013).
For therapists, working with clients with PTSD can be extremely rewarding and meaningful. It can be transformative for therapists to help clients regain their sense of identity and power, and to help clients drastically change their lives. In order to effectively treat this at-need population, therapists need specific PTSD counselor training and PTSD counselor certifications.
While there is specificity about the competencies therapists need to acquire and about the content counselors need to learn (APA, 2015), there are different routes for how to acquire these competencies and skills to become a PTSD therapist.
A step-by-step guide for how to become a PTSD counselor
The first step for how to become a PTSD counselor is to get clarity about what you actually need to learn. This post will provide an evidence-based, clear and comprehensive step-by-step guide for how to become a PTSD counselor. The information in this guide is influenced by the American Psychological Association (APA) competencies for teaching and training for working with clients with trauma and PTSD (APA, 2015).
Why become a PTSD counselor?
The benefits of becoming a trauma therapist are vast.
First, there is a growing and at-need population of individuals who have experienced traumas and who are seeking treatment for PTSD. Therefore, becoming a PTSD therapist or PTSD counselor allows clinicians to work effectively with a large population of clients in many different settings.
Second, PTSD is highly treatable with the right treatments (Resick et al., 2012). Specifically, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatments called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can lead to decrease and even full remission of symptoms in most individuals with PTSD (VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of PTSD, 2010).
Therefore, clinicians can experience meaning and purpose, as well as a sense of professional effectiveness when treating clients with PTSD.
Third, research shows that utilizing evidence-based PTSD treatment methods decreases therapist burnout, decreases therapist vicarious traumatization and enhances self-efficacy and satisfaction of therapists (Becker-Heimes, 2021; Deighton et al., 2007); therefore, becoming a well-trained PTSD counselor yields the secondary benefit of inoculating therapists from possible deleterious effects of working with traumatized individuals.
Fourth, there is great marketability for clinicians that are trained in evidence-based PTSD treatments.
Getting a PTSD counseling degree
While there is no such thing as a PTSD counseling degree from any accredited academic graduate institution, there are many opportunities within graduate programs in counseling, psychology and social work to obtain quality specialized training and specialization in trauma and PTSD.
Unfortunately, most graduate programs do not automatically build in such training into their curricula, and most students are not yet aware of their need to advocate for and intentionally seek out such opportunities, meaning that most therapists complete their graduate training being unprepared to work with clients with PTSD (Cook, Newman, & Simiola, 2019; Henning, Brand, & Courtois, 2022).
Fortunately, knowing this is powerful as it allows therapists-in-training and licensed therapists desiring a specialization in PTSD to seek out specific experiences and training opportunities that will provide them competencies needed to work effectively with clients with PTSD.
One avenue for obtaining training in PTSD counseling is to attend one of the very few graduate programs that provide specialized training in trauma or PTSD. For example, the University of Colorado, College Springs (https://psychology.uccs.edu/phd-clinical-psychology-trauma), Northern Illinois University, Palo Alto University (https://www.paloaltou.edu/academic-programs/phd-clinical-psychology/areas-emphasis/trauma-emphasis) and Northern Illinois University (https://www.niu.edu/clas/psychology/academics/graduate/clinical/trauma-focus.shtml) offers graduate training programs that include trauma and PTSD-specific coursework, research and clinical training opportunities.
Another option for obtaining specialized training in PTSD counseling is to apply to work with faculty, mentors or other staff who specialize in trauma or PTSD. This mentorship may be specific to overseeing and supporting research activities related to PTSD or may allow students to work with PTSD clients in the context of clinical research.
Other mentorship opportunities may include clinical supervision of PTSD clients while working in an in-house practicum or while working in a specific trauma or PTSD clinic as an external clinical placement. Alternatively, this mentorship may include overseeing graduate work as a graduate-level instructor or as a Teaching Assistant (TA).
Another avenue for pursuing specialized PTSD counselor training is during the clinical internship. Doctoral-level therapists-in-training in Psy.D. and Clinical and Counseling Ph.D. programs are required to complete a one-year clinical internship.
There are internship programs that have excellent training in PTSD; for example, clinical internships in Veterans Affairs Hospitals afford therapists-in-training access to quality muli-day trainings in gold-standard evidence-based treatments for PTSD for free along with post-training clinical consultation.
Completing PTSD counselor training
The American Psychological Association has developed Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training (APA, 2015). These well-researched and vetted guidelines can help prospective PTSD therapists to select trainings, workshops and lectures that are likely to improve the positive outcomes of the clients they work with.
PTSD training courses should be taught by a subject matter expert with appropriate credentials, training and expertise in PTSD and the content taught should be supported by science.
Free vs Fee-Based PTSD Counselor Training
Some PTSD counselor trainings are free and available to the public. Below are links to quality PTSD therapist trainings that are free:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_ed/index.asp
https://istss.org/education-research/online-learning/free-recordings
https://deploymentpsych.org/training
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/training
The fee of paid trainings will differ based on many factors, such as the length of the training, the content covered, how advanced a topic is, the format of the training and the expertise of the trainer(s).
Face-to-face vs Virtual PTSD Counselor Training
Some therapists prefer face-to-face training opportunities, while others may prefer virtual options due to living in rural areas, inability to travel, or financial limitations to travel.
Live vs On-Demand PTSD Counselor Training
Some counselors prefer live courses, where they can ask presenters questions in real-time however, other counselors might find that they prefer the convenience of on-demand courses that they can watch or listen to at any time.
Depth vs Breadth of Knowledge in PTSD Counselor Training
Some workshops focus on one specific factor or topic (e.g., dissociation, DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD, a specific intervention) and other workshops that provide great breadth of training in a number of topics related to PTSD.
Training with Real-time Clinical Consultation vs Trainings without Consultation
The majority of PTSD trainings and PTSD workshops do not include clinical consultation as part of the training package.
However, for clinicians seeking support in the application of new knowledge into their actual clinical practice with real-life clients, PTSD training programs that include or embed clinical consultation into the training can be an excellent fit.
My approach to PTSD counselor training
The research is clear- the majority of clinicians who are actively working with traumatized clients, do not have adequate training to work effectively with those populations, and are therefore ill-equipped (Cook, Newman, & Simiola, 2019). The clinicians themselves know this and are eager for learning and support.
My approach to providing the most useful and effective training for PTSD counselors and therapists begins with my use of the best available science to clarify the specific competencies that PTSD therapists need in order to provide excellent services.
For me, this has meant leaning on the American Psychological Associations Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training (APA, 2015). These guidelines are comprehensive, specific and practical.
They point to key areas, knowledge and skills that clinicians need to acquire for the effective treatment of clients with trauma-related issues, such as PTSD.
In addition to this science-backed comprehensive guide, I use my decade-long experience teaching therapists all over the world how to effectively work with clients with PTSD in my role as a National Trainer and Consultant for Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, which is one of the gold-standard treatments for PTSD.
This position has afforded me thousands of clinical contact points with heterogeneous clinicians ranging in culture, ethnicity, age, other personal characteristics, training background, clinical experience and theoretical orientations.
Through this work, several clear themes have emerged regarding gaps in knowledge and common challenges. One of these common challenges is the difficulty integrating workshop/lecture/webinar content into actual practice with real clients.
Thus, a tenant of my approach to PTSD counselor training is integrating consultation into the learning experience in order to facilitate the translation of knowledge into practice.
My PTSD counselor training course
The Trauma Therapist Training Course is an online, live cohort-based course that covers the following topics:
-understanding the impact of trauma
-evidence-based assessment of trauma exposure and PTSD
-case conceptualization and collaborative treatment planning
-gold-standard evidence-based treatments for PTSD
-navigating challenges in trauma therapy (e.g., timing issues , logistics, balancing fidelity and flexibility, working with avoidance, therapeutic ruptures)
-advanced topics (e.g., dissociation, substance use, suicidality, para-suicidal behaviors, co-occurring issues, somatic and pain issues)
Quality On-Demand Video Lectures
Each weeks of the course, therapists receive access to a high-quality on-demand video lecture covering a wide range of topics relevant to working with traumatized clients. Lectures range from 50-120 minutes.
Small-Group Clinical Consultation
Each week, after watching the weeks’ lecture, clinicians meet via HIPPA-compliant videoconferencing to receive live consultation.
Group consultation lasts 60 minutes each week, and consultation groups are capped at 5 clinicians to ensure ample time and individualized learning. During consultation we engage in experiential activities and practice of new skills.
Individual Clinical Consultation and Support
All clinicians have access to one 60-minute individual clinical consultation meeting via HIPPA-compliant videoconferencing during the second half of the course. Prior to this meeting, clinicians complete several forms to clarify and operationalize their learning goals and needs.
These forms are used to structure consultation and maximize learning. In addition, clinicians have unlimited access to the course facilitator for any questions related to trauma and PTSD.
Access to Experiential Practice and a Wealth of Resources
Course participants are provided a weekly experiential practice that aims to enhance self-reflection and self-awareness as it pertains to trauma work.
In addition, each week participants receive access to a wealth of resources for additional learning and for clinical use (e.g., assessment instruments, research articles, websites, additional trainings).
Answering your questions about how to become a PTSD counselor
It is normal to have questions about how to become a PTSD counselor.
In my experience, therapists care deeply about providing great care and they are often well-aware when their skills are not commensurate with the demands of the clinical work they are doing.
Clinicians who have questions about how to become a PTSD counselor, are welcome to contact me.
We can discuss whether your learning needs match up with the learning objectives of the Trauma Therapist Training Course.
How long does it take to become a PTSD therapist?
The training to become a PTSD therapist usually takes several years and may occur during graduate training or thereafter. To become a PTSD therapist, a clinician must meet the minimal standards of knowledge so that they can ethically work with traumatized individuals.
Becoming a PTSD therapist is a life-long endeavor. One reason is that, as new science emerges, we are responsible for ensuring our knowledge base and clinical approaches are updated.
In addition, we all change over time. Our capacities, our psychological resources and our interests will shift; therefore, clinicians are encouraged to reassess their nature of their work, their work environment and relationship with work over time and to make shifts to ensure they are able to provide optimal care to clients with PTSD throughout their personal and professional evolution.
Start the Process of PTSD counselor training today
As outlined in this guide, the process of becoming a trauma therapist can take many different forms.
For some, the process begins in graduate school; for others, becoming trained as a trauma therapist may occur long after a graduate degree has been obtained.
Therapists may choose from a menu of PTSD trainings that range in format, structure, timing or breadth. Burgeoning PTSD therapists are encouraged to use the best available science to inform the trainings they seek so that they do not obtain training in approaches or interventions that are harmful or ineffective with clients with PTSD.
The Trauma Therapist Training Course is an evidence-based, comprehensive web-based, live 6-week course that offers quality training and real-time consultation and support to clinicians seeking an intensive and enriching learning experience. The course is offered quarterly.
If you are interested in enrolling in the Trauma Therapist Training Course or learning more about it, contact Dr. Stephanie Sacks here.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders. In
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/ed/resources/trauma-competencies-training.pdf
Becker-Haimes, E. M., Wislocki, K., DiDonato, S., & Jensen-Doss, A. (2022). Predictors of Clinician-Reported Self-Efficacy in Treating Trauma-Exposed Youth. Journal of traumatic stress, 35(1), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22688
Cook, J. M., Newman, E., & Simiola, V. (2019). Trauma training: Competencies, initiatives, and resources. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 56(3), 409–421. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000233
Deighton, R. M., Gurris, N., & Traue, H. (2007). Factors affecting burnout and compassion fatigue in psychotherapists treating torture survivors: is the therapist's attitude to working through trauma relevant?. Journal of traumatic stress, 20(1), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20180
Henning, J. A., Brand, B., & Courtois, C. A. (2022). Graduate training and certification in trauma treatment for clinical practitioners. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 16(4), 362–375. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000326
Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Working Group [Internet]. VA/DOD clinical practice
guidelines for management of post-traumatic stress. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense; 2010. Available from: http://www.healthquality.va.gov/ptsd/ptsd_full.pdf
Olatunji, B. O., Cisler, J. M., & Tolin, D. F. Quality of life in the anxiety disorders: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 27(5), 572-581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2007.01.015
Resick, P. A., Williams, L. F., Suvak, M. K., Monson, C. M., & Gradus, J. L. (2012). Long-term
outcomes of cognitive-behavioral treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder among female rape survivors. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 80(2), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026602
Schnurr, P. P., Lunney, C. A., Bovin, M. J., & Marx, B. P. (2009). Posttraumatic stress disorder and quality of life: Extension of findings to Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(8), 727-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.006.