How to Find a Trauma Therapist in Massachusetts (Plymouth, South Shore & Online)
A gentle guide to choosing a trauma-informed, EMDR therapist in Massachusetts.
If you’ve ever typed “trauma therapist near me” into Google and immediately felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone.
Endless profiles. So many acronyms. Everyone says they’re “trauma-informed.” And meanwhile, you’re just trying to figure out who you can actually trust with the hardest parts of your story.
As a trauma-focused EMDR therapist in Plymouth, MA, I work with high-functioning, overwhelmed adults across the South Shore and throughout Massachusetts via Telehealth. I wrote this guide to make the process of finding a trauma therapist feel a little clearer, more grounded, and a lot less exhausting.
My hope: by the end, you’ll have a sense of what to look for, what to ask, and how to know when you’ve found someone who’s truly a good fit for you.
What “trauma-informed” actually means (and what it doesn’t)
“Trauma-informed” is everywhere these days. It shows up on websites, social media, and provider directories but it can mean very different things depending on the therapist.
At its core, trauma-informed therapy means your therapist:
Understands how trauma impacts the brain, body, and nervous system
Recognizes that symptoms like anxiety, shutdown, irritability, and people-pleasing can be trauma responses not character flaws
Prioritizes your sense of safety, choice, and pacing in the work
Avoids forcing you to retell your story in overwhelming detail before you’re ready
What it doesn’t mean is perfection, or that every therapist who uses the phrase is deeply trained in trauma.
Some questions you can ask to clarify:
“Do you specialize in trauma, or is it one of many areas you work with?”
“How did you receive your trauma training?”
“Do you use specific trauma therapies like EMDR, parts work, or somatic approaches?”
You deserve more than a buzzword. You deserve someone who can explain how they work with trauma in real, concrete language.
Should I look for an EMDR therapist?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most researched therapies for trauma, PTSD, and the “stuck” memories and patterns that don’t seem to shift no matter how much you talk about them.
You might consider looking for an EMDR therapist if:
You feel like you intellectually “get” your trauma but still feel it in your body
You notice patterns (shutting down, panic, people-pleasing, reactivity) you can’t seem to change
You’ve done talk therapy before but want to go deeper into the root of things
When you’re searching, you might use phrases like:
“EMDR therapist in Massachusetts”
“EMDR therapy Plymouth MA / South Shore”
“Online EMDR therapy in Massachusetts”
And then, when you find someone, you can ask:
“How long have you been practicing EMDR?”
“What does a typical EMDR session look like with you?”
“How do you help clients stay grounded during EMDR so it doesn’t feel overwhelming?”
A good EMDR therapist should be able to talk about preparation, resourcing, and pacing not just “processing.”
Key questions to ask during a consult
Most therapists offer a short phone or video consultation before you commit. This is your chance to get a feel for the person, not just their credentials.
Here are some questions you might ask:
About trauma and fit
“What kinds of trauma do you typically work with?” (childhood, relational, single-event, medical, grief, etc.)
“What does being trauma-informed mean to you in your day-to-day work?”
About their approach
“How do you balance talking about the past with working on things happening in my life right now?”
“How do you help clients who are high-functioning on the outside but overwhelmed on the inside?”
About pacing and safety
“How do you make sure we don’t go ‘too fast’ with trauma work?”
“What happens if I get flooded or shut down in session?”
About logistics
“Do you offer in-person sessions, Telehealth, or both?”
“Do you see adult clients located anywhere in Massachusetts, or only locally?”
Pay less attention to whether you asked the “perfect” questions and more attention to how you feel as they answer. Do you feel rushed, lectured, or pressured? Or do you feel respected, informed, and like there’s room for your uncertainty?
Things to consider if you live in Massachusetts
Because therapists are licensed at the state level, a trauma therapist or EMDR therapist licensed in Massachusetts can see you if you are physically located anywhere in MA even if you’re only meeting online.
That means you can:
See someone in person near you (for example, if you’re on the South Shore, you might look in Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury, etc.)
Work with a therapist online who’s licensed in Massachusetts, even if they’re not in your exact town
When choosing, you might ask yourself:
Do I feel more comfortable going into an office, or does Telehealth fit better with my life right now?
Is it important to me to work with someone who understands the culture of Massachusetts / South Shore life?
How far am I realistically willing to travel if I choose in-person?
If you’re considering insurance vs. private pay, you can also ask therapists:
“Do you take my insurance, help with out-of-network benefits, or work only with private pay?”
“Can you help me understand how reimbursement works if I use out-of-network benefits?”
There’s no one right answer here just what’s sustainable and supportive for you.
How to know if a trauma therapist is a good fit
You don’t have to know on day one. Fit usually becomes clearer over the first few sessions.
Some signs a therapist might be a good match:
You feel like they’re actually listening, not just waiting to talk
They can explain what they’re doing and why, in regular human language
You feel emotionally safe enough to be honest even if you’re still guarded at first
They honor your boundaries and don’t push you to share more than you’re ready to
You leave sessions feeling understood, even if you’re also tired or stirred up
Some gentle red flags:
You feel rushed to “get into the trauma” before any safety or coping skills are in place
They seem dismissive of your symptoms (“everyone’s anxious these days”)
You consistently leave sessions feeling confused, ashamed, or talked over
It’s okay to change therapists if something doesn’t feel right. You’re not “too much” or “too complicated.” Sometimes it just takes a few tries to find someone whose style and approach really meet you where you are.
What it’s like to work with me
I’m Kat DiFillippo Montague, a trauma-focused therapist and EMDR provider based in Plymouth, MA. I work with thoughtful, high-functioning adults who often look “fine” from the outside while feeling anxious, exhausted, or stuck on the inside.
Together, we might:
Slow down enough to understand what your nervous system is doing (and why)
Build practical tools so you feel more grounded in daily life
Use EMDR to gently process the memories, patterns, and beliefs that keep pulling you back into survival mode
Work at a pace that honors both your desire for change and your need for safety
I see clients:
In person in Plymouth, MA (for South Shore folks who want a physical therapy space), and
Online via secure Telehealth throughout Massachusetts
If you’re looking for a trauma therapist in Massachusetts
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” you’re not being dramatic and you’re not making it up. Wanting support is a sign that something in you still believes things can feel different—and that part of you deserves to be taken seriously.
If you’d like to explore working together, I offer a free 15–20 minute consultation so you can ask questions, get a feel for my style, and see if it feels like a good fit.
You can [schedule a free consult] (or link to your consult/contact page) or explore more about EMDR and trauma-focused therapy on the rest of my site.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.