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Trauma Therapy

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.

We might experience trauma in real life. Trauma is usually experienced at home through abuse but can also be experienced in the form of an accident, traumatic bereavement, physical attack or second hand through the television or social media platforms.

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.

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Car accident

What Events Can Trigger Trauma Symptoms?

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.

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, 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.

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Trauma Informed Therapist

Matthew Alderton - MA, BSc, Dip, Dip Psych. I trained at The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London to become a counsellor and psychotherapist. I am also an EMDR practitioner and trauma informed therapist.

It is important to see a trauma informed therapist because traditional therapies like psychotherapy can re-trigger trauma symptoms if they are not administered in the right way. I use psychotherapy as a basis for adjunct EMDR therapy and complex trauma or complex PTSD.  I use trauma informed therapies which include: eye movement desensitisation & reprocessing therapy (EMDR), polyvagal theory, trauma release, emotional freedom technique, cognitive processing therapy and body psychotherapy. EMDR is the leading evidence based treatment for PTSD. 

I am approachable and down to earth helping you to feel safe whilst using trauma informed therapy.

Trauma Therapy Approaches

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.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

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

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.

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 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 restor 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.

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Trauma Therapy 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"

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Trauma Therapy London

Come and see me in picturesque Little Venice Paddington London for Trauma Therapy.

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Trauma Therapy Hertfordshire

Come and see me in leafy green Hertfordshire for Trauma Therapy.

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Contact Form

The best way to contact me is via my contact form. I look forward to hearing from you.