Trauma therapy

Trauma focused therapy is a form of psychotherapy (talk therapy) designed to manage the impact of a distressing incident(s) on people's lives. 

A distressing event can be anything life-threatening, frightening, abusive or dangerous, experienced by oneself or as a witness, for example: 

• Accidents
• Assault or attack
• Domestic violence
• Medical trauma 
• Emotional, physical, sexual abuse
• Early childhood trauma, abuse or neglect 
• Traumatic grief
• Bullying in schools or workplaces
• Intergenerational trauma 

Trauma therapy helps people process such events and their psychological impact on functioning in everyday life. It can be helpful for people with or without an official diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, who experience a cluster of symptoms, such as:

• Repeated intrusive images/different types of flashbacks from the past 
• Unhelpful beliefs about the past events, yourself, the future
• Sleep disturbances, including nightmares
• Anxiety and/or low mood and their somatic symptoms
• Exaggerated emotional and/or physical reactions to current situations
• Avoidance and disconnection from others. 

There are several types of evidence-based (effectiveness supported by research) trauma therapy treatments. CBT and EMDR are the two trauma therapy options offered in my clinic. 

Although it can be challenging to face your fearful symptoms, with my support you can reframe the traumatic experiences, regulate your emotions and reactions to triggers and improve your coping skills and relationship with self and others.