Trauma-Informed Therapy Options
Understand evidence-based trauma therapies and how to find a provider who gets it.
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all — and for MST survivors, the wrong approach can do more harm than good. Understanding your options puts you in the driver's seat of your own healing.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one of the most extensively researched treatments for PTSD, and it is a first-line treatment recommended by the VA for MST-related PTSD. CPT is a structured, 12-session therapy that focuses on identifying and changing "stuck points" — unhelpful beliefs about the trauma and its meaning that keep you from processing what happened.
CPT does not require you to describe the trauma in detail. It focuses on the thoughts and beliefs that have developed in response to the trauma — beliefs like "It was my fault," "I can't trust anyone," or "I am permanently damaged." The therapist helps you examine these beliefs, test them against evidence, and develop more balanced perspectives.
CPT has strong evidence for reducing PTSD symptoms, depression, and guilt in MST survivors. It is available through VA mental health services and many community providers. Ask your VA MST Coordinator or mental health provider specifically about CPT.
EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that uses bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements, taps, or tones — while you briefly focus on a traumatic memory. The bilateral stimulation appears to help the brain process the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge.
EMDR does not require you to talk about the trauma in detail. Many survivors find this appealing — particularly those who have re-traumatized themselves by repeatedly telling their story without adequate support. EMDR works with the memory itself, not just the thoughts about it.
EMDR has strong evidence for PTSD and is endorsed by the VA, the World Health Organization, and the American Psychological Association. It is available through some VA providers and many community therapists. Look for a therapist who is certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
Prolonged Exposure (PE) is another first-line VA treatment for PTSD. PE works by gradually and systematically approaching trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations that have been avoided because they trigger distress. The theory is that avoidance maintains PTSD — and that carefully approaching what has been avoided, in a safe therapeutic context, allows the nervous system to learn that the memory is not the same as the danger.
PE involves two main components: imaginal exposure (revisiting the traumatic memory in session with the therapist's support) and in vivo exposure (gradually approaching avoided situations in real life). It is a more intensive approach than CPT or EMDR, and it is not the right fit for everyone.
PE has strong evidence for PTSD and is widely available through VA mental health services. If you are considering PE, discuss it thoroughly with a therapist before starting — understanding what to expect helps you make an informed choice.
Finding a Trauma-Informed Provider
Not every therapist is trauma-informed. A trauma-informed provider understands how trauma affects the nervous system, the therapeutic relationship, and the healing process. They do not re-traumatize you by requiring you to tell your story before you are ready. They involve you in decisions about your care. They understand the specific context of military culture and MST.
When looking for a provider, ask: Do you have training in CPT, EMDR, or PE? Do you have experience working with MST survivors? Do you have experience working with veterans? How do you approach trauma in therapy?
The VA's Provider Directory and the EMDR International Association's therapist locator are good starting points. Psychology Today's therapist finder allows you to filter by specialty, including trauma and veterans. The Give an Hour network provides free mental health care to veterans and military families.
Telehealth has significantly expanded access to trauma-informed care. Many VA mental health services are available via telehealth, and many community providers offer telehealth sessions. If geography, transportation, or privacy concerns are barriers to in-person care, telehealth may be the right option for you.
Monique tried therapy twice before and both times left feeling worse. The first therapist asked her to describe the assault in detail in the first session. The second seemed uncomfortable with military culture and kept asking questions that made Monique feel like she had to explain herself. She gave up on therapy. At a women veterans group, she heard about CPT from another veteran who had completed it. Monique looked it up, found a VA therapist certified in CPT, and asked specifically for that treatment. The first session was different from anything she had experienced before. The therapist explained the model, asked what Monique wanted to work on, and made clear that Monique was in control of the pace. Twelve sessions later, Monique is not "cured" — but the stuck points that had been running her life for years have loosened. She can think about what happened without it taking over. That is enough. That is more than enough.
Therapy Research Worksheet
- 1
Research CPT, EMDR, and PE. Write down one thing that appeals to you about each approach and one concern.
- 2
Contact your VA MST Coordinator and ask specifically about availability of CPT and EMDR at your VA. Write down what they tell you.
- 3
Search for trauma-informed providers in your area using Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com/us/therapists) or the EMDRIA therapist locator (emdria.org/find-a-therapist). Write down two options.
- 4
If telehealth is relevant for you, ask your VA provider or a community therapist about telehealth availability.
- 5
Write down three questions you want to ask a potential therapist before starting treatment.
- CPT, EMDR, and PE are all evidence-based, VA-endorsed treatments for MST-related PTSD — each with a different approach.
- You do not have to describe your trauma in detail to benefit from therapy — CPT and EMDR work without requiring a detailed narrative.
- A trauma-informed provider involves you in decisions, respects your pace, and understands military culture.
- Telehealth has expanded access to trauma-informed care — ask about it if in-person care is a barrier.
- If therapy has not worked before, it may be the approach or the provider — not you.
Reflect. Write. Act.
Answer each prompt honestly. Your responses are private — they never leave your device.
Finished this module?
Mark it complete to track your progress. Your answers are already saved.
Keep Going.
Join Her H.O.P.E. Reset™ free to track your progress and connect with the community.