Isn’t Trauma Something That Needs to Be Treated by a Licensed Therapist?

What Helped Me Heal Beyond Traditional Talk Therapy

I was recently asked a very important question, and I wanted to take a moment to address it here on the blog as well—because I know many of you may be wondering the same thing.

“Isn’t trauma something that needs to be treated by a licensed therapist?”

This is such a valid and thoughtful question. First, let me say this clearly: I have deep respect for the work that licensed therapists do. Many are incredibly skilled, compassionate, and have changed countless lives. Therapy is an essential part of the healing journey for so many people, and I would never discourage anyone from seeking professional mental health support.

That said, I can only speak from my personal experience—and as a survivor of complex PTSD, my healing path looked a little different.

I spent over 10 years with the same traditional talk therapist. She was kind, deeply empathetic, and provided a safe space for me to share my story. Her validation meant a lot to me in those early years. Occasionally, she’d recommend a helpful book, and we’d discuss my past and how it shaped me.

But over time, I realized something: I wasn’t actually healing. I was understanding myself more, but I still felt stuck in the same patterns—emotionally dysregulated, triggered, overwhelmed in my relationships, and constantly managing anxiety and burnout. I hadn’t been taught how to regulate my nervous system, how to stay grounded in stressful interactions, or how to create the life I truly wanted. That was the missing piece.

Not all therapists are trained in trauma-specific modalities, and not all are equipped to teach practical skills for emotional regulation. Some hold degrees in psychology or social work, but unfortunately, trauma-informed care and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills aren’t always part of their training.

And for many—myself included—accessing high-quality, trauma-informed therapy or DBT programs is difficult and/or expensive.

That’s where my healing began to shift.

As I sought alternatives, I found tremendous support through two specific paths: the daily practices of Ashtanga yoga and the life-changing tools I learned through Family Connections of NEABPD, which trained me in DBT skills. These practices—movement, breath, structure, and skill-building—became the backbone of my healing.

Yoga helped me reconnect to my body and regulate my nervous system in a way that talk therapy alone never could. DBT gave me the emotional and relational tools I had been missing my entire life. I finally learned how to respond instead of react. I learned how to hold boundaries, process intense emotions, and build healthier relationships. That’s when real transformation began.

Today, as a certified yoga instructor and DBT skills educator, I share the same tools that helped me heal—not as a substitute for therapy, but as a complement to it, or as a starting place for those who can’t access traditional care. Healing from trauma is complex, and it often requires a multi-faceted, holistic approach.

So to answer the question: Yes, therapy can be a powerful and necessary part of healing from trauma. But it’s not the only path. For some of us, it takes additional tools—daily practices, nervous system support, emotional skill-building, and community connection—to truly find lasting peace.

Wherever you are on your journey, I honor you. Healing is not one-size-fits-all. My hope is that by sharing what worked for me, it might offer a new perspective or possibility for someone else.

With love and solidarity,
Mandi Gardner
Founder of Holistic Evolution Shala
Certified Yoga Instructor & DBT Skills Educator
CPTSD Survivor, Wife, Mother