Trauma Therapy in Houston: How to Choose the Right Trauma Therapist for You
Finding a therapist is rough work. It’s already hard enough to be going through a tough time, but knowing where to start in picking a new therapist can be just as hard as the actual therapy process.
When you finally summon up the courage to reach out to a few therapists, you are shocked at how many therapists there are in the Houston area alone and how many of them do not respond to your requests. I pride myself in responding to every message I receive within 2 business days.
Now you feel like you are at a loss and no one will help you.
The up side of healing from trauma is that therapy does not have to take years and years. With innovative models of therapy like brainspotting, it is effective and it gets the job done in less time than with traditional talk therapy.
Sounds like music to your efficient, busy and high performing ears!
Now let’s move on to how to find a therapist without too much stress.
What to Look for in a Trauma Therapist in Houston
Before searching online or asking your friends for referrals, take some time to ask yourself what qualities you want in a trauma therapist.
Think about:
Therapist’s Personality (that definitely matters). Do you want someone who can flow between office speak and slang? Or would you rather have a straight laced therapist? I for one like to raise an eyebrow every once in a while, and even though we’re working on trauma, I will have you laughing harder than you’ve done in ages.
Therapist’s Religious Background. I incorporate biblical knowledge into my therapy sessions for my Christian clients who request it. And yes, discussions about the Holy Spirit are abundant. Now, I don’t indoctrinate or interpret scripture, but we do use the Bible as a guide.
Ask yourself if you want therapy to be secular or if incorporating your faith is important.
Therapist’s Gender. You want to go with whomever you are most comfortable with. Don’t force it.
Therapist’s Age. Do you want someone who is close to your age? Older? Younger than you?
Therapist’s Specialty. Please note that not all therapists work with trauma. And brainspotting is a very specialized type of therapy, so if you want brainspotting to be used, ask about this specifically.
Therapist’s Experience. You may ask about how long they’ve been practicing, what they are trained in, as well as their specific experience with the issue that has brought you into therapy.
The ultimate thing is that your therapist must align with your personal healing goals.
How Brainspotting Sets Trauma Therapists in Houston Apart
Brainspotting is my choice when working with trauma because it is fast, gentle, efficient and gets the job done. I’m not here to bash CBT or talk therapy, but I just find that brainspotting helps heal trauma without re-traumatizing you.
As a busy woman in Houston, you don’t have time to waste. You feel like you have lost some time suffering in silence. And once you’re ready to heal, you deserve to be able to jump in and reclaim your life.
Brainspotting essentially uses eye movements to help you connect to the deeper layers of the brain where emotions and deeper trauma tend to be locked up. It’ll help you find the trauma, process it, digest it, then you’re good to go.
Whereas with traditional talk therapy, it might take quite a few sessions for you to get to the roots of your trauma, talking back and forth with your therapist. Brainspotting doesn’t need any detailed explanations or setups- you can dive right in. I tend to start actual brainspotting in session 2.
Why Local Matters: The Importance of Finding a Trauma Therapist in Houston
With virtual therapy, you can work with any therapist who is licensed in Texas, however the beauty of working with a local Houston therapist is they tend to understand Houston culture. You don’t have to spend half the time trying to describe your expriences to them.
They get it.
A local therapist knows the lay of the land, has a good understanding of your frustrations and they just know how to help you all the more.
It is pretty important to ensure that the therapist you pick is a great cultural fit.
What does that mean?
Do they understand the issues you face? Issues of race, gender, immigration status, family of origin issues, high sensitivity issues, work related issues, your entrepreneurship issues, etc. All the little layers that create stress in your life or make you who you are.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Trauma Therapist in Houston
After you have decided on what you would like in a therapist, it’s time to do an actual search.
Here are 3 general ways to find a therapist:
1) Do a search on Google or social media (Yup, some of us are on IG, Youtube, Facebook, etc)
2) Ask your friends or loved ones for referrals. This doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the therapist they send you will be a cultural fit. But it’s a start.
3) Utilize a therapist directory. Some popular ones are Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy Den, Melanin and Mental Health.
When you use the above 3 ways, browse the therapist’s profile and website to get a general feel for their personality and if they meet any of the criteria you outlined above (gender, race, experience, speciality, etc).
Next, here are some possible questions to ask the therapist when you have a consultation with them (Not all therapists offer a free consultation like I do).
Questions to ask a prospective trauma therapist:
How long have you been practicing?
What is your educational background?
What are your areas of expertise? Do you specialize in trauma therapy?
Do you use brainspotting?
How would you describe your therapy style?
What can I expect during our therapy sessions?
Feel free to add any other questions that come up for you.
How to Take the First Step with a Trauma Therapist in Houston
Once you’ve gone through the therapists’ websites or profiles, pick about 3-5 that stand out the most to you.
No overthinking.
Just go with your gut. Look on their websites to see if there is a calendar or link for you to book a consultation call.
Once you’ve done a few consults and you’re ready to start therapy, all you really need during your first session is an open mind, some trust in your new therapist and things to keep you comfy.
Some of my clients will have a blanket, comfy footwear (or no footwear at all), water, a pen, a notebook, and of course a tissue box.
Yes, therapy will most likely involve some tears. It’s a part of the process.
Starting therapy is such a brave, empowering step- especially when you decide to pick a cutting edge therapy like brainspotting. But it is your commitment to healing that will eventually have you feeling whole again.
Ready to start your healing journey with a trauma therapist in Houston? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation call for brainspotting therapy and experience trauma therapy designed for you. Let's reclaim your life together!
About Me
My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with trauma, anxiety and insomnia.
I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.
Many of my clients are: