Treating trauma is complex and sometimes can be a lot for one mental health professional to manage. I believe it is important to have several professionals you can refer to and collaborate within trauma treatment. Having a wide variety of collaboration and referral options ensures the best client-centered trauma treatment possible.
Below I will give you a list of professionals to consider as you develop and grow your collaboration list.
Tips for Collaboration in Trauma Treatment
Before I hop into the list, I wanted to mention a couple of lessons I have learned along the way to help you make the most of collaborating with others.
My number one tip is: Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge and expertise with another professional. I have done several lunch-and-learns for medical doctors to help them understand the impact of trauma. These connections have grown over time into great professional relationships.
My second tip is: Consider trying out the services of the other professionals before referring your clients. Having a firsthand experience can help you better prepare your clients for what to expect. It also gives you an opportunity to develop a genuine and reciprocal relationship. For example, I have worked with a Cranial Sacral Therapist and hope to start acupuncture in the new year.
My third and final tip is: Know your limits. It is important to know when you have taken a client as far as you can within the scope of your practice. We cannot be everything to everybody. Don’t hesitate to refer or collaborate with other professionals when needed.
Now without further ado here is my list of professionals you might want to consider. This is not an exhaustive list, but I hope it will get your collaborative juices flowing.
- Psychiatrist/ Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
- Primary Care Physicians familiar with ACEs
- Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructors
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Group Facilitators
- Certified Eating Disorder Therapist
- Substance Abuse Therapist
- Trauma-Informed Marriage Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Cranial Sacral Therapist
- Acupuncturist
- Naturopath Doctor/ Practitioner
In Conclusion
Having all the skills and tools it takes to treat trauma holistically is nearly impossible. We know that trauma is complex, and it affects people’s minds, bodies, and souls, so having a well-rounded list of professionals you can collaborate with and refer to allows you to help your clients gain maximum benefits from their healing journey.
Grab your free email templates to help you network with other trauma treatment professionals here.
Comment Below
What are your hesitations when considering collaborating with other professionals?
