Happy Woman On Rocks
Happy Woman On Rocks

Trauma Therapy Hitchin

Trauma therapy at The Trauma Practice is carried out by a trauma informed therapist. Trauma therapy is designed to help with trauma in a supportive and transformative way. I use the leading evidence based treatment for trauma which is EMDR therapy. I also use a number of other therapies and interventions to help people with trauma. These might include psychotherapy, body psychotherapy, emotional freedom technique, interventions based in polyvagal theory and trauma release exercises. 

We might be exposed to trauma in a number of different ways. These might be in the family home, at school, at work or out and about whilst trying to live our daily lives. Examples of things we might find traumatic include physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Car accident, physical attack or traumatic bereavement. We might experience trauma through technology like the internet internet or on television or streaming platforms. We might also experience trauma vicariously whilst hearing about a trauma which someone we know or love is involved in. 

Unfortunately trauma and post traumatic stress disorder are commonplace in society. It is difficult sometimes for someone who has experienced trauma to understand what is going on in their mind and bodies and wait for a long time before speaking help for trauma. This can sometimes result in maladaptive coping mechanisms in an attempt to cope with trauma symptoms. Trauma symptoms or PTSD symptoms are normal reactions to abnormal events. Luckily, trauma and post traumatic stress disorder are difficulties we can do something about with the right psychotherapeutic interventions. 

Trauma Therapy Hitchin

London Sky Line

Trauma Therapy London

Available in London and online.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is anything that is deeply distressing or disturbing to someone. There are a number of different types of trauma. Whether something is traumatic is defined by a person’s response to it rather than the event itself. One person might find an event, traumatic and another person might experience the same event differently. We all experience some trauma in our lives to a greater or lesser degree. 1 in 10 people are expected to experience PTSD symptoms at some point in their lives. Unfortunately the majority of trauma experienced by people in life is in the family home.

Emergency services light

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is anything that is deeply distressing or disturbing to someone. There are a number of different types of trauma. Whether something is traumatic is defined by a person’s response to it rather than the event itself. One person might find an event, traumatic and another person might experience the same event differently. We all experience some trauma in our lives to a greater or lesser degree. 1 in 10 people are expected to experience PTSD symptoms at some point in their lives. Unfortunately the majority of trauma experienced by people in life is in the family home.

Emergency services light
Car accident

Types Of Trauma

Trauma can be triggered by different events for different people. A handful of examples might include: bullying, car accident, physical attack, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sudden bereavement of a close friend or family member, witnessing an accident, hearing about an accident or disturbing images from the media or social media. Whether something is traumatic or not is defined by a person's experience of it, rather than the event itself. 

Car accident

Types Of Trauma

Trauma can be triggered by different events for different people. A handful of examples might include: bullying, car accident, physical attack, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sudden bereavement of a close friend or family member, witnessing an accident, hearing about an accident or disturbing images from the media or social media. Whether something is traumatic or not is defined by a person's experience of it, rather than the event itself. 

Trauma Symptoms

Trauma Symptoms vary from person to person with regard to their severity or how long they might last. Symptoms can manifest immediately following a trauma or take months or years to manifest. Trauma symptoms are normal reactions to abnormal events. They can be emotional, psychological, behavioural or somatic. When symptoms last for longer than one month they might be considered PTSD symptoms.

Symptoms might include: rumination, anxiety, muscle tension, mood swings and emotional outbursts, feeling disconnected, negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feeling guilt or shame and complex avoidance strategies.

Depressed Woman

Trauma Symptoms

Trauma Symptoms vary from person to person with regard to their severity or how long they might last. Symptoms can manifest immediately following a trauma or take months or years to manifest. Trauma symptoms are normal reactions to abnormal events. They can be emotional, psychological, behavioural or somatic. When symptoms last for longer than one month they might be considered PTSD symptoms.

Symptoms might include: rumination, anxiety, muscle tension, mood swings and emotional outbursts, feeling disconnected, negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feeling guilt or shame and complex avoidance strategies.

Depressed Woman

Trauma In The UK %

59%

Over half of adults in the UK have experienced a traumatic event

33.3%

Roughly 33% of people who experience type 1 trauma develop PTSD

10%

10% of people in the UK will experience PTSD at some point in their lives

Professional help for trauma

Matthew Alderton Psychoitherapist

Matthew Alderton - Psychotherapist

MA, BSc, PG Dip, PG Dip Psych

I am a trauma informed psychotherapist and emdr practitioner. It is important to see a trauma informed therapist because traditional therapies like psychotherapy can re-trigger trauma symptoms. I use psychotherapy as a basis for adjunct EMDR therapy and complex trauma or complex PTSD.  I also use techniques based in polyvagal theory, trauma release, emotional freedom technique, cognitive processing therapy and body psychotherapy. EMDR is the leading evidence based treatment for PTSD. I work in a holistic integrative way, taking into account the ecology of a person's life as well as their mind, body and soul. I am personable, friendly and down to earth. I provide a safe, confidential, collaborative environment for you to work through your difficulty. I look forward to hearing from you.

Trauma Therapy Approaches

When I help clients with trauma I maintain flexibility with a number of different approaches.  I utilise the below therapies as well as other approaches which include trauma release exercises, emotional freedom technique, polyvagal theory and cognitive processing therapy. 

Psychotherapy Session In Progress

CPT

Cognitive processing therapy helps to address specific trauma related stuck points e.g. power and control, safety, intimacy etc. It can be used as an EMDR alternative and is homework based.

EMDR Session

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy is the leading evidence based approach to PTSD. It is a somatic psychotherapy which helps you to desensitise and reprocess a traumatic experience.

Psychotherapy session

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy provides a solid base to work from in relation to trauma focused approaches. It can also help provide insight and understanding into the role of the psyche in relation to a traumatic experience.

Body Psychotherapy session

Body Psychotherapy

Body psychotherapy addresses somatic issues caused by trauma. Working with trauma requires a bottom up as well as a top down approach. We use trauma release exercises, polyvagal theory and other somatic approaches to help with trauma.

Trauma Therapy Benefits

Present

Reprocessing trauma helps us to live back in the present moment with the ability to enjoy life to the full.

Connect

Reconnect to our true selves in a healthy way without trauma symptoms. 'I feel like me again'.

Balance

When trauma triggers are reduced we can restore balance and homeostasis back into our lives.

Happiness

When we reconnect to our selves, restore homeostasis and feel back in balance we are naturally happier.

Happy woman

Trauma Therapy Benefits

Happy Lady By The Sea

Present

Reprocessing trauma helps us to live back in the present moment with the ability to enjoy life to the full.

Balance

When trauma triggers are reduced we can restore balance and homeostasis back into our lives.

Connect

Reconnect to our true selves in a healthy way without trauma symptoms. 'I feel like me again'.

Happiness

When we reconnect to our selves, restore homeostasis and feel back in balance we are naturally happier.

Trauma Therapy Hitchin FAQ's

What happens in a trauma therapy session?

A trauma therapy session involves taking a history in relation to what has happened, understanding you as a person, provide psychoeducation and stablisation, help you to desensitise and reprocess a trauma.

How long does trauma therapy last?

If you have experienced a one off big T trauma therapy is relatively short term. If you have experienced more complex trauma or trauma related to attachment, therapy is likely to last longer.

Do I have to do EMDR therapy?

We would encourage you to try EMDR as it is such a good tool for trauma. It is not necessarily for everyone. We will use an alternative form of trauma informed therapy that suits you.

Client's Experience Of Trauma Therapy

JM - Enfield

"I no longer feel traumatised or unsafe. When I stepped out of my house my legs felt like that of a sparrow. I feel strong and stable today"

RF - Potters Bar

"I no longer experience flashbacks or intrusive nightmares"

NA - St Albans

"I have been able to reconnect with myself and the people who mean the world to me."

PF - Broxbourne

"I don' feel like my traumatic experience defines me like it once did. I am able to move on with the rest of my life"

Trauma Therapy Hitchin

The Trauma Practice Hertfordshire address: Cuffley, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6

My home based practice is located in leafy green Hertfordshire. A five miniutes walk from Cuffley train station and located ten minutes by car from junction 24 and 25 of the M25. 

Cuffley is a thirty five minute drive from Hitchin. 

Therapy tree

Therapy Enquiry

If you would like to book therapy with us or have a therapy enquiry please fill in our contact form.