Psychotherapist - Matthew Alderton
MA, BSc, PG Dip, PG Dip Psych
I set up The Trauma Practice to help people with trauma, post traumatic stress disorder and trauma related difficulties. It can be quite difficult getting the right help for trauma. Traditional types of therapy can sometimes have a limited affect on trauma and in some cases make it worse. The main aim of the therapies I offer is to enable people to get better from trauma or difficulties which stem from trauma. Unprocessed trauma can keep the mind and body in a state of fight or flight leading to maladaptive coping and a cascade of other symptoms. We are lucky we now have the tools we need to process trauma from somatic work to eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy.
Psychotherapist
Matthew Alderton
MA, BSc, PG Dip, PG Dip Psych
I set up The Trauma Practice to help people with trauma, post traumatic stress disorder and trauma related difficulties. It can be quite difficult getting the right help for trauma. Traditional types of therapy can sometimes have a limited affect on trauma and in some cases make it worse. The main aim of the therapies I offer is to enable people to get better from trauma or difficulties which stem from trauma. Unprocessed trauma can keep the mind and body in a state of fight or flight leading to maladaptive coping and a cascade of other symptoms. We are lucky we now have the tools we need to process trauma from somatic work to eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy.
Psychotherapy Training
I am a qualified transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist and an Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist.
I trained at The Centre For Counselling & Psychotherapy Education based in Paddington, London. I studied for two years for the foundation in counselling and psychotherapy before completing the post graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy. This took me nearly eight years to complete. Since qualifiying as a psychotherapist I have gone on to do more specialist training to help people with trauma. Some examples include ego state therapy for complex trauma and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy for trauma, post traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
I keep up to date with my training to make sure I am aware of the best approaches, therapies and techniques to help my clients. I regularly update my continued professional development to reflect this ongoing training and regularly attend supervision for the different therapies I offer.
In my early professional years, I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?
- CARL ROGERS -
In my early professional years I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?
- CARL ROGERS -
Therapy Services
Therapy Services
The services I offer are all therapeutic. I work mainly as a counsellor and psychotherapist. These are the two approaches which underpin all of the other therapeutic approaches and interventions. For example, I offer adjunct emdr as part of psychotherapy. I offer body psychotherapy as part of traditional psychotherapy as and when it is appropriate.
Utilising somatic approaches is an important part of my practice. The body plays an important role in most psychological difficulties. The mind and body are connected and what affects one entity affects the other. Somatic work is a big part of trauma therapy because, in the words of Bessel Van Der Kolk, 'the body keeps the score.'
The main therapies I offer are counselling, transpersonal psychotherapy, eye movement desensitisation & reprocessing therapy (emdr), body psychotherapy, cognitive processing therapy and behavioural therapies when appropriate. I also offer a number of different interventions to aid my clients. If you would like to learn more about the therapies and interventions I offer please click the link below.
Mental Health Areas Of Special Interest
I work with lots of different difficulties that clients present with. The main ones are trauma, ptsd, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, tinnitus, anxiety, depression and addiction. I have a special interest in ptsd, trauma, phobias and tinnitus. The reason I have a special interest in these area is because I have a personal connection with them, have a specific interest in helping people get better from them or have completed additional training in these areas. The skills and training I have invested in, enables me to work with all of the mental health difficulties and conditions listed on The Trauma Practice.
Phobias
A phobia is an overhwhelming psychological and somatic reaction to an object, animal, situation, somatic experience or thought. Phobia symptoms might include complete system overwhelm, shaking, fear, feeling sick or shortness of breath.
PTSD
Trauma symptoms can turn into PTSD if they go on longer than one month. PTSD symptoms can manifest weeks or months later. PTSD is now treatable with EMDR therapy. Symptoms might include intrusive thoughts, alteration in moods and hyper-arousal.
Tinnitus
A phobia is an overhwhelming psychological and somatic reaction to an object, animal, situation, somatic experience or thought. Phobia symptoms might include complete system overwhelm, shaking, fear, feeling sick or shortness of breath.
What is it like working with me?
I am personable and build trust with my clients in a down to earth way. The relationship we have is, real and caring within the bounds of therapeutic principles and practices. Working with me enables you to find a sense of safety and peace which you might not be in touch with outside of a therapeutic environment. Establishing trust and strong therapeutic bond is the only type of container where healing can begin. As a person centred therapist I will follow your lead to find out where you are and what difficulty you might be experiencing on your life journey.
How we work together depends on what way of working is best suited for your needs. You are always in control of a therapy session and we work at your pace. We work with whatever you bring or what comes up mid session. We work in collaboration together in a nurturing way. I might use a somatic or psychological intervention where appropriate. I sometimes carry out sessions with clients whilst walking in the immediate area or sitting quietly on a park bench rather depending of course. For more information please click on the link below.
Therapy Practice Locations
I work from two locations. One is from: The Centre For Counselling & Psychotherapy Education In picturesque, Little Venice, Paddington, London.
I also run a home based practice based in leafy green Cuffley Hertfordshire. This is approximately twenty five minutes North from Finsbury Park tube station.
I am aware that it is difficult for some clients to leave this house due to mobility and psychological issues. I also see some of my clients online but have a preference for face to face therapy.
Psychotherapist London
Come and see me in picturesque Little Venice Paddington London for counselling, psychotherapy, emdr or body psychotherapy.
Psychotherapist Hertfordshire
Come and see me in leafy green, Cuffley, Hertfordshire for counselling, psychotherapy, emdr or body psychotherapy.
Therapy Enquiry
If you would like to book therapy with us or have a therapy enquiry please fill in our contact form.