Trauma & relationships

4 types of therapy for PTSD

With many different therapy approaches, it can be difficult to understand their differences and how they support people with PTSD.

March 6, 2026

By Dr. Juli Fraga, Psy.D • Clinically reviewed by Michael Heckendorn, LPC, NCC

6 min read

By Dr. Juli Fraga, Psy.D • Clinically reviewed by Michael Heckendorn, LPC, NCC

Whether it’s an accident, violence, or a natural disaster, nearly 70% of people experience one traumatic event during their lifetime. Research shows that 6% of trauma survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD include hypervigilance, avoidance, feeling numb, trauma flashbacks, and insomnia. These symptoms can be upsetting and disrupt your daily life. Choosing the right type of therapy for PTSD is an important step in recovery.

However, with so many therapy approaches to choose from, it can be challenging to understand the nuances of each one. Read on to learn more about the different types of therapy for PTSD, as well as how each type of treatment can provide support.

Key insights

Several different types of therapy can help treat PTSD. Research shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), eye-movement desensitization and restructuring therapy (EMDR), and narrative therapy can all be effective.

Many of Headway’s therapists are trained in various types of trauma-informed therapy for PTSD, which ensures you can find a match for your unique needs.

How therapy treats ADHD

Symptoms of PTSD can cause intrusive thoughts and memories of the traumatic event, as well as avoidance, upsetting thoughts, and hypervigilance. These are the four categories defined by the DSM-5-TR. Therapy helps people with PTSD process traumatic experiences so they no longer feel immediate, overwhelming, or all-defining. Overall, treatment focuses on reducing the intensity of these symptoms while helping individuals regain a sense of safety and control.

One of the core goals of therapy is to help the brain and body recognize that the traumatic event is over. Trauma can keep the nervous system stuck in survival mode, as if danger is still present. In therapy, individuals gradually learn how to tolerate difficult memories and emotions without becoming overwhelmed. Over time, reminders of the trauma become less triggering.

Therapy also addresses the thoughts that often develop after trauma. Many people experience self-blame, shame, or beliefs such as “I’m not safe,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “Something is wrong with me.” A key part of treatment involves identifying and gently challenging these beliefs, replacing them with more balanced and compassionate perspectives.

Emotional regulation is another important component. PTSD can make it difficult to manage fear, anger, guilt, or numbness. Therapy provides tools to calm the nervous system, cope with distress, and respond to triggers in more grounded ways.

Research shows that therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD. Many people report not only a reduction in symptoms, but also meaningful personal changes — such as feeling safer, more capable, and more connected to others. In one qualitative study, participants who received CPT for PTSD said, “I feel safer because I am not helpless anymore,” and “I trust people… to a small degree.”

What therapy approaches are best for PTSD?

Different therapy approaches can treat PTSD. Each type of therapy has been researched for decades, making them empirically validated treatments backed by science. In some instances, you may benefit from more than one type of trauma therapy.

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

CBT operates on the premise that our thoughts influence how we feel and behave. It helps clients reframe upsetting and distorted thoughts, which helps shift your feelings and behaviors. Research shows that CBT can help treat war trauma, sexual assault, and racial trauma. CBT, including the specialization of trauma-focused CBT, can also help with symptoms of PTSD, such as insomnia, brain injuries, and phobias.

2. Cognitive-processing therapy

CPT is a 12-session, time-limited therapy that helps clients identify places where they feel “stuck.” For example, you may feel “stuck” in upsetting memories or in the past. CPT helps you regain a sense of safety, trust, power, esteem, and agency. It can help treat sexual and physical trauma, war veterans, and survivors of terrorism and natural disasters.

3. Eye-movement desensitization and restructuring therapy (EMDR)

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help clients work through traumatic memories. Unlike traditional “talk” therapy like CBT and CPT, EMDR engages the body to help heal the mind. Research shows that EMDR can help clients who have survived singular traumas, such as accidents, life-threatening illnesses, and natural disasters.

4. Narrative therapy

Narrative therapy helps clients rewrite the stories they tell themselves. In a collaborative approach, therapists help you construct strength-based stories that help restore your sense of safety. Narrative therapy also helps you regulate emotions such as shame and guilt and aims to strengthen resilience. Clients who have survived racial, cultural, or social trauma can benefit.

5. Prolonged exposure therapy

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps clients gradually face trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations they have been avoiding. In PE, a therapist guides you through repeated, safe exposure to traumatic memories (imaginal exposure) and to real-life situations that feel frightening but are objectively safe (in-vivo exposure). Over time, this process helps the brain relearn that the memories and reminders are not dangerous in the present, which can reduce fear, anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance.

Which approach to treating PTSD is right for you?

At Headway, our therapists can help you decide which type of therapy is right for you. Each treatment plan is informed by your individual goals. For example, if you’re someone who is experiencing upsetting thoughts, insomnia, and flashbacks, cognitive-behavioral therapy or cognitive-processing therapy may be a good fit.

Hypervigilance and emotional arousal are two symptoms of PTSD that can make you feel on “high alert.” EMDR helps address these symptoms. Bilateral stimulation can help calm the body and support you in working through traumatic memories.

If you feel “stuck” in old narratives about yourself or the traumatic experience, narrative therapy can help. Narrative therapy utilizes the power of storytelling, making it an especially good fit if you’re from a diverse ethnic, racial, or cultural background.

How to find the right therapist for you

Regardless of what type of therapy you choose, it’s important to find the right therapist. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship plays a pivotal role in treatment outcomes. As with any relationship, trust and safety are essential.

At Headway, we have a directory of thousands of therapists and psychiatrists. We can help you find a therapist who’s right for you. We help our clients find care for whatever’s on their minds. Simply share your preferences and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ll even estimate the cost for each session; all you need to provide are your insurance details. We take the guesswork out of finding mental health care so that you can focus on your healing journey.

Find your PTSD therapist with Headway

Every year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with PTSD. The good news is that many different types of therapy can help treat this condition. From cognitive-behavioral therapy and cognitive-processing therapy to eye-movement desensitization and restructuring therapy and narrative therapy, we have a directory of therapists with diverse training.

PTSD can make you feel overwhelmed and alone. Our therapists are here to support you and provide the help you’re looking for. We provide all of the nuts-and-bolts you need to begin therapy today. Explore Headway’s directory of PTSD and trauma therapists to find the perfect match.

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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.