Therapists for Childhood Trauma

Get a Therapist Recommendation

Online sessions with one of our Therapists for Childhood Trauma

Offered at a specialised price as part of our collaboration with each therapist.

  • Get a Therapist Recommendation

    Online sessions with one of our Therapists for Childhood Trauma

    Offered at a specialised price as part of our collaboration with each therapist.

  • What kind of therapist to look for?

    A therapist trained in trauma, often using approaches like EMDR or trauma focused CBT, can help you process difficult childhood experiences at a pace that feels safe.

  • What you can work on.

    Expect to work through how early experiences still show up in your relationships, self worth, or reactions today, and build a greater sense of safety and stability in the present.

  • What your iniital sessions will look like.

    Early sessions usually focus on building trust and stability before going deeper into specific memories. Your therapist will move carefully and won't rush you.

  • How to assess therapist fit

    A good sign is feeling safe enough to go at your own pace. The right therapist never pushes you toward memories you're not ready to revisit.

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    Kashika Sachdeva

    Kashika Sachdeva

    Counselling Psychologist

    Kashika Sachdeva

    2 Years Exp. | Trauma & PTSD | Depression | Anxiety | Borderline Personality Disorder | Anger & Emotional Regulation

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    Nidhi Sharma: , Self-esteem, Identity, Confidence, Burnout, Stress, Trauma, PTSD Counselling Psychologist (Therapist) in Ahmedabad

    Nidhi Sharma

    Counselling Psychologist

    Nidhi Sharma

    1 Year Exp. | Trauma & PTSD | Self Esteem & Imposter Syndrome | Anxiety | Depression | Stress, Burnout & Overwhelm

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    Yasmin Paul: Anxiety, Panic, OCD, Depression, Mood Disorders, Trauma, PTSD, Personality Disorders Counselling Psychologist (Therapist) in New Delhi

    Yasmin Paul

    Counselling Psychologist

    Yasmin Paul

    7 Years Exp. | Depression | Personality Disorders | Trauma & PTSD | Existential Concerns + Identity | Relationship Issues

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    Mahi Goyal: Anxiety, Panic, OCD, Depression, Mood Disorders Counselling Psychologist (Therapist) in Agra

    Mahi Goyal

    Counselling Psychologist

    Mahi Goyal

    4 Years Exp. | Anxiety | Self Esteem & Imposter Syndrome | Trauma & PTSD | Existential Concerns + Identity | Sexual Identity

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    Sameera Sachdev

    Sameera Sachdev

    Clinical Psychologist

    Sameera Sachdev

    8+ yrs. exp. | Trauma, Grief & Identity | Relationship Patterns | Trauma-Informed Care

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    Tanvi Malhotra

    Tanvi Malhotra

    Counselling Psychologist

    Tanvi Malhotra

    3 Years Exp. | Trauma & PTSD | Relationship Issues / Marriage | Self Esteem & Imposter Syndrome | Anxiety | Stress, Burnout & Overwhelm

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    Dr. Raj Laxmi

    Dr Raj Laxmi

    Psychiatrist

    Dr Raj Laxmi

    4 Years Exp. | OCD | Depression | Parenting | Anxiety | Trauma & PTSD

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    Isha Aggarwal

    Isha Aggarwal

    Counselling Psychologist

    Isha Aggarwal

    2 Years Exp. | Trauma & PTSD | Neurodivergence | Chronic Illness, Pain Management & Disability | Anxiety | Depression

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    Puja Dedhia

    Puja Dedhia

    Counselling Psychologist

    Puja Dedhia

    7 Years Exp. | Anxiety | Self Esteem & Imposter Syndrome | Stress, Burnout & Overwhelm | Relationship Issues / Marriage

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    Shreya Haran

    Shreya Haran

    Counselling Psychologist

    Shreya Haran

    5 Years Exp. | Anxiety | Child & Adolescent Concerns | Trauma & PTSD | Relationship Issues / Marriage | Grief

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    Turfa Ahmed

    Turfa Ahmed

    Clinical Psychologist

    Turfa Ahmed

    3 Years Exp. | Anxiety | Trauma & PTSD | Stress, Burnout & Overwhelm | Anger & Emotional Regulation | Depression

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    Meenal Bachhawat: Trauma, PTSD, Self-esteem, Identity, Confidence, Burnout Counselling Psychologist (Therapist) in Raipur

    Meenal Bachhawat

    Counselling Psychologist

    Meenal Bachhawat

    3 Years Exp. | Trauma & PTSD | Anxiety | Grief | Neurodivergence | Stress, Burnout & Overwhelm

  • What counts as "childhood trauma," and do I need clear memories of events to benefit from therapy?

    Therapist Response  

  • What are common signs in adulthood that my childhood trauma might still be affecting me?

    Therapist Response  

  • Which therapy approaches are most evidence-based for childhood trauma?

    Therapist Response  

  • How do I find a therapist in India who is specifically trained in childhood trauma and not just general counselling?

    Therapist Response  

  • What if I feel overwhelmed or shut down when talking about my childhood? Can therapy still work?

    Therapist Response  
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What counts as "childhood trauma," and do I need clear memories of events to benefit from therapy?

Childhood trauma doesn’t always come from one major event. It can stem from abuse, neglect, bullying, loss, or growing up around constant conflict. It also involves experiences that are less obvious, like being repeatedly criticised, frightened, or made to feel responsible for things that were not a child's responsibility.

You may also remember only parts of what happened. Perhaps you remember feeling scared when someone raised their voice, but you cannot recall exactly what was said. Or you remember always trying to keep the peace at home, but you can't remember when that started. Therapy for childhood trauma does not require you to have a complete timeline of your childhood. Therapy focuses on what you are experiencing now and explores how earlier experiences may be connected to it.

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What are common signs in adulthood that my childhood trauma might still be affecting me?

The effects show up in everyday situations. You might find it difficult to trust people, feel guilty when you say no, or become very self-critical after making a small mistake. Some people also become extremely independent because they never felt safe or comfortable relying on others growing up.

Imagine your partner becomes quiet after an argument. They may simply need some space, but you immediately worry they are going to leave. Or your manager gives you some feedback at work, and you spend the rest of the day thinking you have done something terribly wrong. A childhood trauma test gives you questions to reflect on these kinds of experiences and spot the patterns that might be bothering you. Although it cannot diagnose trauma or tell you exactly why these patterns are happening, it will give you some ideas to explore them with a mental health professional.

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Which therapy approaches are most evidence-based for childhood trauma?

Different therapy approaches are used when working with childhood trauma, and the right fit depends on the person and what they are dealing with. EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, and some body-based or somatic therapies are used by trained professionals for trauma-related concerns.

Trauma-focused CBT looks at the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. For example, if you grew up being criticised whenever you made a mistake, you may now think, "I'm not good enough" whenever your manager gives you feedback. Therapy can help you understand that reaction, question the belief behind it, and develop a different way of responding.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is another approach used for trauma-related difficulties. A therapist prepares you and helps you bring a difficult memory to mind while you follow a set of guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. For instance, if a particular childhood memory still brings up intense fear or distress, EMDR may be used to work through that memory so it feels less emotionally overwhelming in the present.

Somatic therapies pay more attention to how difficult experiences show up in the body. You might realise that your shoulders tense whenever someone raises their voice, your stomach tightens during conflict, or you freeze when you feel criticised. Therapy sessions involve becoming more aware of these physical reactions, learning ways to feel safer in your body, and responding differently when these sensations appear.

However, these therapies look quite different in practice. One person may spend time working with difficult thoughts and beliefs, another may use EMDR to process distressing memories, while someone else may focus more on physical sensations and feeling safe in their body. You do not necessarily need to know which therapy you need before speaking to a therapist. A trained professional can explain the options and discuss what may suit your situation.

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How do I find a therapist in India who is specifically trained in childhood trauma and not just general counselling?

It’s reasonable to ask a therapist about their training and experience before starting sessions. You can ask if they have worked with childhood trauma, what trauma-focused therapies they are trained in, and what kinds of concerns they usually work with.

You can also think about what you want support with. Maybe you are struggling with relationships, anxiety, or self-worth. Maybe you have difficulty setting boundaries or become very anxious during conflict. A therapist who understands trauma can look at these present-day concerns while also considering your earlier experiences. A childhood trauma questionnaire can give you some language for describing what you have been experiencing, but a direct conversation with the therapist is still important.

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What if I feel overwhelmed or shut down when talking about my childhood? Can therapy still work?

You do not have to tell your entire childhood story in the first session. Talking about difficult experiences can bring up strong reactions. You might become very emotional, struggle to find words, or suddenly feel like you do not want to talk about anything at all.

Therapy begins with what feels manageable. You might start by talking about sleep problems, relationship difficulties, anxiety, or what happens when someone gets angry with you. A therapist may also use grounding, breathing, or other techniques to help you stay present when difficult emotions come up. As you learn to cope better, you understand what you want to carry or let go of.

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Other common questions

How long does therapy for childhood trauma usually take, and is it always long-term?

There is no fixed number of sessions for childhood trauma therapy. It depends on the person, the experiences, what is happening in their life now, and what they are seeking. Some people may come in with one particular concern, while others may want to work through several patterns that have been affecting them for years.

It also does not automatically mean years of therapy. You might begin with a few sessions, understand what you want to work on, and then decide with your therapist how to continue. The pace can also change as you learn more about yourself and become more comfortable with the process.

Can childhood trauma therapy help with issues like relationship patterns, self-worth, and work stress, not just "trauma symptoms"?

Difficult childhood incidents can influence the way you relate to people, respond to criticism, and see yourself. The effects may show up at home, at work, and in close relationships rather than looking like obvious "trauma symptoms."

You might feel that you have to keep your partner happy all the time. You may find it difficult to accept praise because you are used to focusing on what you did wrong. At work, you might take a small piece of feedback very personally or feel that you have to be perfect to be valued. Therapy can explore these patterns and how they relate to your earlier experiences.

Is online therapy effective for processing childhood trauma, and what safety measures should I look for?

Online therapy can be an option for some people working through childhood trauma, particularly when they have access to a trained therapist and a private space for sessions. It can also make it easier to continue therapy when travelling, moving cities, or dealing with a busy schedule.

Privacy is important. Try to have sessions in a place where other people cannot overhear you, use a secure, private device, and make sure you have enough time to settle before and after a difficult session. It is also worth discussing with your therapist what you can do if you become very distressed during a session or if you need support between sessions.

Do I need to involve my family in therapy, or can I work on childhood trauma individually as an adult?

Learning and acknowledging childhood trauma in adulthood is a difficult journey, but you can work on your experiences individually. Family members do not need to be involved unless you want to, and therapy can be a private space for you to understand what happened and how it affects you now.

There may be situations where involving someone from your family could be useful, but that is something you can discuss with your therapist. You may not feel comfortable involving your parents; they may have a different understanding of what happened, or you may simply want to focus on your own experience. You get to have a say in what you discuss and who is involved.

What if I'm unsure whether my childhood was "bad enough" to count as trauma? Can a therapist help me make sense of this?

People sometimes compare their childhood with someone else's and think, "Other people had it much worse, so I shouldn't feel this way." You may remember having a home, going to school, and having your basic needs met, while still carrying difficult experiences from how people treated you or how safe you felt.

Any trauma is not about being "bad enough" before talking to a therapist.

Maybe you grew up with constant criticism, emotional distance, or pressure to be responsible for everyone else. A therapist can listen to your experiences, look at how they may connect with your life today, and help you make sense of what you are carrying. The big question of how to overcome childhood trauma can be resolved by understanding your experience rather than deciding whether it was serious enough to deserve attention.

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