COUNSELLING FOR TRAUMA
Understanding Trauma
Due to the complex nature of trauma, many people wonder if it is even the right word to describe their experience, and that’s okay. Trauma sometimes comes from unexpected places, whether that is from the result of a past relationship, a difficult childhood, prolonged exposure to adversity, undiagnosed physical, mental or neurological health condition, or a specific overwhelming event. Its impact can be felt emotionally, physically, and relationally, like invisible scars that affect every aspect of your life, and it has a way of lingering long after the immediate threat has passed, often leaving you feeling overwhelmed, unsafe and disconnected from your sense of self.
How Trauma May Affect You
You may be experiencing nightmares, hyper-vigilance, dissociation, feeling unsafe in your body, shame, disordered eating, self injury, low self-worth or sleep issues. You may be struggling with relationships and experiencing low confidence, or feel as though you are spiraling out of control. There are no two experiences the same.
A Trauma-Focussed Approach
What we know from years of trauma focussed studies is that ‘telling your story’ and talking alone in therapy can do more harm than good when recovering from trauma. The space needs to be safe, which is often something trauma survivors have seldom felt. Many traditional talking therapies, whilst well meaning, have sadly let trauma survivors down in the past by not having an evidence based understanding of trauma, leaving therapists ill-informed about how to safely connect and support individuals in processing trauma.
When Previous Support Has Let You Down
The same can be said for individuals who have accessed mental health support. I hear often that many people have sought help only to be dismissed, their mental and/or physical symptoms misunderstood or overlooked, conditions being diagnosed that might not align with a person's experience and often medication being prescribed to treat symptoms but not the cause. If this has been your experience then you have likely been left feeling let down, frustrated, angry, still searching or, that it was somehow your fault that counselling or seeking support didn’t work. Please know that it WASN’T your fault, and that there IS a way forward. If you are here reading this, then hopefully you are willing to trust the process once more and it is my hope that you will find my approach different
Working Together at Your Pace
If you choose to attend counselling with me, I will offer you a grounded and attuned space, where we will work sensitively and at your pace, building trust and establishing a sense of safety. You are always in control of your own story and the pace at which you wish to share your experiences. I will never pressure you to discuss anything you are not comfortable talking about and your boundaries will be respected at all times.
STRESS AND BURNOUT RECOVERY -
9 in 10 adults in the UK (91%) report experiencing high or extreme levels of stress in the past year, with 1 in 5 people needing to take time out due to stress-related mental health difficulties.
Understanding Burnout
Going through periods of prolonged stress can be extremely taxing to our minds, bodies and nervous system. Burnout is a condition characterised by emotional, mental and oftentimes physical exhaustion and is brought on by extended periods of stress, that can come from one or many sources such as; high expectations and pressures in work or homelife, living with chronic illness or neurodiversity, being a caregiver, financial stress or the death of a loved one, as just some examples..
You Are Not Alone
If you are living with stress or the impact of burnout, you are not alone in your struggle, and I know this struggle well too. Finding someone experienced to talk to about how you are feeling can be a lifeline when it comes to learning how to create balance in your life again.
Many people feel a sense of shame and hopelessness during periods of burnout, but reaching out for help is incredibly brave and is the first step to regaining a sense of control and balance in your life.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling can offer a safe space to understand the root causes of your stress and burnout, to process emotional exhaustion, reframe negative thought patterns, and rebuild a healthier balance. We will implement solution focused practices and effective tools to help shift your nervous system out toward restoration, releasing built up stress, and restoring a sense of safety within your body.
COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (13 years+)
I have worked with children and young people for many years; as a parent myself, as a teaching assistant and as a counsellor in both educational and rape crisis centre settings.
Areas of Support
I love working with young people and embrace each young person for the individual that they are. Being able to offer support during such a critical developmental stage is a huge privilege. I offer sessions to help navigate challenges such as low mood, academic stress, anxiety, bullying, self injury, anger, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ exploration, identity issues, peer relationships, and the emotional impacts of trauma.
A Safe and Flexible Approach
I am specifically trained in adolescent development and hold full, enhanced DBS checks. Just as for adults, sessions are confidential and we will establish clear boundaries of trust so young people feel safe to speak openly, while maintaining strict safeguarding protocols for high-risk situations. I take a flexible, client-led and creative approach, working with the needs of the young person.
Finding Out More
If you are the parent or carer of a young person, or a young person yourself, and would like to find out more, please contact me and we can discuss the options available to you.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment.
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