Navigating Trust Issues After Trauma Triggered by Therapy

After a therapy session, feeling extremely anxious and depressed can be deeply troubling, especially if you believe your trauma has been triggered. Trust in your therapist is crucial, but what if that trust begins to crack? If you feel that your current therapist no longer seems a reliable choice and you have no options to find a different therapist, you are not alone. This article explores the challenges of navigating trust issues in trauma therapy and provides guidance on how to move forward.

Understanding the Importance of Trust in Therapy

Without a measure of trust in your therapist, the benefits typically associated with a strong working alliance may be lost. Therapy is fundamentally about building a relationship of trust, where clients feel safe to explore their deepest feelings and experiences. Trust in the therapist is the foundation upon which this alliance is built.

The assertion that you no longer trust your therapist suggests that there was a time when you did trust them. This implies that there has been a shift in your relationship—a shift that could be seen as the result of either real events or imagined perceptions. It's important to address this shift with your therapist, aiming to regain safety and openness in your therapeutic relationship.

Addressing Trust Issues in Trauma Therapy

For trauma survivors, trust issues can be particularly challenging. If your therapist is not trained or sensitive in dealing with these issues, they might not fully understand the complexity of your feelings. If your therapist assumes they know how to work with trauma and fails to support you effectively, it can further erode your trust.

Unless your therapist is demeaning, dismissing, or showing lack of compassion, it is essential not to stop therapy abruptly. Exposing vulnerable feelings or experiences can often lead to a temporary decrease in trust, but this is a feeling rather than a definitive reflection of the therapist's authenticity. It is crucial to discuss these feelings with your therapist to seek reassurance and support.

Building and Rebuilding Trust

Talking to your therapist about your feelings is a critical step in rebuilding trust. Your therapist should be able to provide support and address your concerns. Building trust in trauma therapy is a gradual process, often requiring time and openness. It is normal for trust to wax and wane as you begin to talk about your pain.

The only real way to achieve this is by discussing your feelings with your therapist and seeking their support. Another therapist might not change things fundamentally if the new therapist is ethical, competent, and compassionate. It is through these discussions that you can regain a sense of safety and continue your therapy journey.

Seeking Further Support

if you find that you cannot trust your therapist anymore, it might be necessary to seek support elsewhere. However, it is important to carry out this search thoughtfully, ensuring that you find a therapist who is competent in trauma work and can provide the support you need.

It's also important to set realistic expectations. Trust takes time to build, and it may oscillate as you work through your trauma. During this time, it is crucial to communicate openly with your therapist and any potential new therapist about your feelings and needs.

Remember, seeking therapy is a brave step, and it is okay to ask for help. Partnering with someone who can understand and support you through your journey is key to healing.

I wish you the best through this difficult journey.