Therapist Specializations

Browse therapists specialized in trauma, domestic abuse, family issues, and more.

What “Specializations” Mean in Therapist Profiles

What Is a Specialization?

In therapist directories, a “specialization” usually refers to the main topics, themes, or communities that a therapist focuses on in their work. It is a way of signaling where they have concentrated experience, training, or interest, beyond general mental-health support.

Some people find it reassuring to look for therapists whose listed specializations line up with what they are going through, or with an aspect of their identity that feels important to honor in the therapy space.

Common Types of Specializations

Specializations can be organized in different ways. A therapist’s profile may include several of these at the same time.

• Life experiences and concerns – for example, grief and loss, relationship changes, parenting, work stress, or navigating life transitions.
• Trauma-related topics – such as surviving domestic violence, childhood abuse, community violence, or other difficult experiences. Listings may describe these in general, non-graphic language.
• Identity and community – for example, LGBTQIA+ communities, specific racial or cultural backgrounds, faith traditions, disability communities, or immigrant and refugee experiences.
• Approach and style – some profiles highlight a focus on things like body-based awareness, relational work, or working with creativity and expression.
• Age groups and life stages – such as working mainly with teens, adults, elders, or people in a particular life stage like new parenthood.

Why Specializations Matter When Browsing a Directory

Reading through specializations may help you narrow a long list of profiles to a smaller group that feels more relevant to your situation. For some people, it feels important that a therapist has experience with domestic and intimate partner violence, understands the impact of trauma over time, or is familiar with systems that affect safety, housing, or families.

Others may place more emphasis on shared culture, language, or lived experience. Some people mainly want a generalist who feels kind, steady, and respectful. All of these preferences are valid.

How Specializations Are Chosen

Therapists usually choose their own specializations when creating a profile. These can grow out of:

• Formal training or continuing education they have completed
• Areas where they have spent a lot of time learning and practicing over the years
• Personal interest in supporting certain communities or concerns
• Feedback from clients about where they feel especially supported

Because these labels are self-described, two therapists using similar words may still have different backgrounds and perspectives. Profiles can be a starting point for learning more about what those terms mean to each person.

Reading Specializations Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

If you are a survivor of domestic or intimate partner violence, or any other form of trauma, you may notice certain words stand out to you—such as “trauma-informed,” “survivors,” “DV/IPV,” “healing from abuse,” or “recovery from coercive control.” These can be cues that a therapist has thought about how power, control, and safety can show up in people’s lives.

You may also find it helpful to notice whether a profile’s language feels respectful toward survivors, avoids blame, and acknowledges how complex leaving or changing a harmful situation can be. Resources like dv.support offer broad, non-judgmental information about domestic and intimate partner violence that may help you put some of this language in context while you browse.

Questions You Might Hold in Mind While Exploring Specializations

Some people find it grounding to keep a few quiet questions in the back of their mind while reading through profiles and specializations, such as:

• Do the words on this profile feel respectful of my experiences?
• Does this person name concerns or identities that feel important in my life?
• Is the tone of their description gentle and non-judgmental?
• Do I sense that I could bring my full self here, including parts I rarely share?
• Would I like to know more about what they mean by this particular specialization?

There is no “right” answer to these questions. They are simply tools that some people use to notice how they feel while reading.

When a Specialization Does Not Fully Match Your Experience

It is common not to see your exact situation named in a list of specializations. Many people still decide to reach out to therapists whose profiles feel generally caring, open, and informed about trauma or domestic violence, even if the labels are not an exact match.

You may also notice that some therapists name broad themes—like “relationship concerns” or “trauma”—rather than very specific circumstances. This can still be compatible with your needs, especially if their overall approach and language feel supportive to you.