Psychotherapy for Trauma

You may be seeking therapy, but do not know what to expect. Perhaps you have questions about how it works and whether it will help?

Psychotherapy sessions are different for everyone, tailored to individual needs and based on personal history and the issues they present.

Working together, we can process conflicts and other struggles which may be limiting your capacity to live as fully as you would like. Getting started is never easy, but whatever you’re thinking or questions you may have, please do get in contact – maybe I can help?

Whilst people are inherently resilient, particularly if they have secure attachment patterns, anyone can feel overwhelmed by experiences that they feel they are not equipped to cope with.

What is Trauma?

Many of us will experience trauma of some sort in our lives, and our individual emotional responses will vary widely. Because an experience of trauma is subjective, everyone will process events uniquely. Therefore, two people may experience the same event or experience but be affected in diverse ways. Many people start therapy unaware that trauma may be influencing their lives, and they are frequently surprised when it comes to light. This often happens because their experiences have been either normalised or pushed aside as coping or survival strategies.

Trauma happens when an intensely distressing or frightening event is too overwhelming to process. This can create feelings and reactions that negatively affect everyday life. It can be an experience after a single event, such as an accident or from repeated events, such as childhood neglect or abuse or coercive, abusive relationships. Such experiences can leave a deep imprint on the body and mind, appearing immediately after a traumatic event or, in some cases, many years later.

Complex trauma often stems from childhood experiences that affect one’s adult relationships. Often, what happens is that our nervous system remains ‘stuck’ in a state of threat, and this may be referred to as PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder). It is important to acknowledge that what you may be experiencing is not shameful or weak. In fact, seeking therapy to address such experiences can be seen as a strength.

Secondary or vicarious trauma: In this context, trauma refers to the experience of being exposed to or witnessing someone else’s traumatic events. You may have had firsthand experience or have a family member who has experienced trauma and is struggling to find ways to support them. It is also common in caring professionals where people are exposed to others’ emotional and physical injury. Compassion fatigue often occurs but can be denied, preventing emotional involvement.

How Can Therapy Help?

Talking therapies can give you space to explore difficult feelings and painful experiences with a trained therapist. Through the process of therapy, you can begin to make sense of what has happened and develop healthier ways of managing distressing memories, emotions, and triggers, helping you to restore a greater sense of safety and control. In the process, you can address challenges that you may have experienced from a number of traumatic experiences, such as childhood trauma, sexual trauma, and domestic abuse. What works best for each person depends on your individual circumstances.

The benefits of therapy include:

• Trauma therapy can be challenging, but healing is possible
• Learning coping skills to manage distorted or negative thoughts and feelings
• Receiving support to reframe traumatic events and gain understanding about them
• Improving relationships with others and building better connections
• Receiving support to identify and manage trauma and PTSD triggers and symptoms.

One of the most important things to consider when seeking therapy is whether you feel ‘safe’ and have a sense of containment with a therapist. The focus is on creating a template for what might be possible in your relationships outside the therapeutic relationship.

A Safe Space

In essence, therapy can provide a safe, structured space to process difficult and painful experiences at a pace that feels manageable for you. This is crucial because this is the foundation from which you will begin to establish safety and stability in other parts of your life. 

When to Seek Therapy?

Difficulties with mental health, relationships, or work that arise after traumatic experiences are often attempts to cope with those events in your life. When trauma shows up in this way, when it starts to interfere with daily life, it may be time to consider consulting with a therapist.