Trauma & PTSD
When the Past Won’t Stay in the Past
Traumatic experiences can leave lasting marks. While many people recover naturally after difficult events, sometimes the mind and body remain stuck - as if the trauma is still happening, even when you know it’s over.
Signs That Trauma May Be Affecting You
Reliving the experience: Intrusive memories that appear without warning. Nightmares that pull you back into the event. Flashbacks where you feel like you’re there again.
Heightened alertness: Feeling constantly on edge, as if danger could appear at any moment. Difficulty relaxing. Being easily startled by sudden sounds or movements.
Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders - places, people, conversations, even thoughts and feelings connected to what happened.
Changes in mood and thinking: Difficulty experiencing positive emotions. Feeling numb or detached. Negative beliefs about yourself or the world. Persistent guilt or shame.
PTSD and Complex Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) typically develops after a single overwhelming event - an accident, assault, medical emergency, or witnessing something traumatic.
Complex PTSD emerges from prolonged or repeated trauma, particularly when it occurs in childhood or involves relationships where you should have been safe. This might include ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or other sustained harmful experiences.
Complex trauma often affects not just how you feel about what happened, but how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others, and how you manage emotions.
Our Approach to Trauma Treatment
Trauma therapy requires skill, sensitivity, and careful pacing. Our Clinical Psychologists are trained in:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) - a NICE-recommended treatment that helps the brain process traumatic memories so they become less distressing
- Trauma-Focused CBT - working with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that keep you stuck
- Compassion-Focused Therapy - addressing the shame and self-blame that often accompany trauma
- Schema Therapy - for patterns that developed from early or repeated traumatic experiences
We always begin by establishing safety and stability. Processing trauma happens at your pace, with techniques to help you stay grounded and in control throughout.
Healing Is Possible
Trauma can make you feel broken or permanently damaged. But the brain has a remarkable capacity to heal. With appropriate treatment, traumatic memories can be processed in ways that allow them to become part of your past rather than dominating your present.
Reach out to discuss how we might help.
Related Reading
- The Role of EMDR in Healing Trauma - How EMDR helps process traumatic memories
- Preparing for EMDR: What to Expect in Your First Sessions - Getting started with trauma therapy
- EMDR or CBT: Understanding the Differences and How to Choose - Comparing treatment approaches
