There are several evidence-based approaches to treating trauma. The most appropriate treatment depends on the type of trauma, whether the danger has ended, the person’s symptoms, and whether the trauma was single-event or prolonged/complex.

Main treatments for trauma

1. Trauma-focused CBT
   • Helps identify and change trauma-related thoughts, beliefs and behaviours.
   • Often used for PTSD, anxiety and avoidance.
2. EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
   • Uses bilateral stimulation while processing traumatic memories.
   • Can help reduce the emotional intensity and distress associated with traumatic memories.
3. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
   • Particularly focused on trauma-related beliefs such as guilt, shame, blame, safety and trust.
   • Commonly used for PTSD.
4. Prolonged Exposure (PE)
   • Gradually and safely helps a person approach trauma memories and situations they have been avoiding.
   • Designed to reduce fear and avoidance over time.
5. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
   • Particularly useful where someone has experienced multiple or prolonged traumatic events.
   • The person develops a coherent narrative of their life and traumatic experiences.
6. Somatic or body-oriented therapies
   • Focus on the body’s response to trauma, including tension, hyperarousal, shutdown and difficulties feeling safe.
   • Examples include Somatic Experiencing and other body-based approaches.
   • The evidence base varies considerably between different somatic therapies, so they are often best considered alongside established trauma-focused treatments.
7. Internal Family Systems (IFS)
   • Explores different emotional “parts” of the person and how they developed in response to difficult experiences.
   • Increasingly used in trauma therapy, although the evidence base is not as extensive as for some established PTSD treatments.
8. Attachment-focused therapy
   • Particularly relevant when trauma occurred within relationships.
   • Addresses difficulties with trust, intimacy, boundaries, abandonment and emotional safety.
9. Stabilisation and nervous-system regulation
   • Often particularly important with complex or prolonged trauma.
   • May include grounding, breathing, emotional regulation, sleep support, developing safety, recognising triggers and learning to manage overwhelming emotions.
10. Compassion-focused therapy
    • Can be helpful when trauma has produced intense shame, self-criticism or feelings of worthlessness.
    • Develops a kinder and safer relationship with oneself.
11. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
    • Teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness and interpersonal skills.
    • Can be useful when trauma is accompanied by severe emotional dysregulation.
12. Medication
    • Medication does not erase traumatic memories, but certain medications can help reduce PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hyperarousal or sleep disturbance.
    • Medication decisions should be made with a qualified doctor or psychiatrist.
13. Group therapy
    • Provides a structured environment where people can connect with others who have experienced similar difficulties.
    • Can reduce isolation and shame.
14. Trauma-informed psychotherapy
    • Rather than being one specific technique, this is an approach to therapy that prioritises safety, choice, collaboration, empowerment and avoiding retraumatisation.

For complex or prolonged trauma

Treatment often needs to be phased rather than simply focused on the traumatic memory immediately:

1. Safety & stabilisation
→ 2. Processing traumatic experiences
→ 3. Integration, relationships & rebuilding life

This can be especially important after years of domestic abuse, childhood abuse, sexual abuse or coercive control, where the trauma may have affected identity, attachment, boundaries and the person’s sense of safety—not just created individual traumatic memories.

The most important principle

Trauma treatment should be individualised. Someone who is still being threatened or controlled needs safety and stabilisation first; asking them to repeatedly process traumatic memories while they remain in danger can be inappropriate.

For PTSD specifically, trauma-focused psychological therapies such as trauma-focused CBT, EMDR and exposure-based approaches have some of the strongest evidence bases.