I did trauma work years ago, and it was only 10 weeks. It was really intense exposure work. Yes, it was only one incident, a major one. I've had other traumas but they weren't the type of traumas that cause flashbacks, body memories.

10 weeks was plenty, and it helped significantly reduce the flashbacks and body memories. I rarely have those anymore. During the 10 weeks, i basically told and retold my traumatic event as i remembered it. All of it was tape recorded and my homework was to listen to the tape throughout the week. Each week it was retaped, so it was a little different (more details come out). If you are not good at using DBT skills, it could be a disaster. The skills are crucial to being able to pull yourself out of emotional pain when you are done with the homework. You have to be able to function on your own throughout the week. Yes, T is there if needed, but the point of DBT is to be able to use the skills on your own.

Usually, if you are still in suicidal phase, the focus is not anywhere near trauma work. That usually comes after skills are well established. I did three rounds of DBT skills training, and then was in an advanced group for application of skills for several years. During that time, i did the trauma work.

I don't understand any therapist doing trauma work unless the patient has plenty of good coping skills under their belt and can use them when in severe distress. Anyone (I'm not saying you zoo) but others who are processing trauma and still self-harming, suicidal, well it shouldn't be done! It doesn't work, can retraumatize instead of heal.