Find a therapist for acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder usually appears within a month of a traumatic experience, and the signs can be intense even when they are short-lived.

Common signs

• Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or distressing dreams about what happened
• A sense of unreality or detachment, feeling numb or as though you are watching yourself from outside
• Avoiding reminders of the event, including people, places, or conversations
• Trouble sleeping, concentrating, or settling
• A heightened startle response, irritability, or feeling constantly on guard
• Strong anxiety or a recurring sense that danger is still close

Other common reactions

• Guilt about what happened or how you responded
• Low mood, tearfulness, or sudden shifts in emotion
• Physical signs such as a racing heart, nausea, or restlessness

These are recognisable reactions to trauma and do not, on their own, confirm a diagnosis. Only a qualified mental health professional can assess whether what you are experiencing is acute stress disorder. If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact a crisis line or your nearest emergency service.

Several evidence-based therapies can help with acute stress disorder, often by processing the trauma early, before reactions become entrenched. Acting soon after the event can reduce distress and, in some cases, lower the chance of longer-term difficulties.

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Trauma-focused CBT helps you make sense of intrusive thoughts and gradually reduce avoidance. It is often the first-line approach for early trauma responses, with a structured, time-limited focus.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) EMDR uses guided eye movements to help the brain reprocess distressing memories. It can ease the grip of vivid flashbacks and the physical tension that often comes with them.
• Trauma informed care Trauma-informed care prioritises safety, choice, and trust, recognising how trauma shapes a person's responses. It guides how a therapist works rather than being a single technique, and suits people who feel wary or easily overwhelmed.
• Somatic experiencing Somatic experiencing focuses on the body's stored stress responses, helping you release tension held after a frightening event. It can be useful when the trauma shows up physically, through a racing heart, restlessness, or feeling frozen.

Choosing an approach isn't something you have to do alone. IC's matching can pair you with a therapist whose approach suits your situation. Get matched.

It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set. Choosing a therapist soon after a traumatic event can feel like too much when you are still shaken and exhausted. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself. Get matched with a therapist who specialises in acute stress disorder, or browse the directory.