Trauma is not simply about what happened to us; it is also about how those experiences continue to live in us. Difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect the nervous system, our relationships, our sense of self and the way we experience the world long after the event itself has passed.

Trauma can stem from a single significant event such as an accident, loss or assault, but it can also develop through repeated experiences over time. Childhood experiences, neglect, emotional invalidation, relationship difficulties, chronic stress or living in environments where we did not feel safe, can all leave lasting effects. Often, people find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, addiction, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges or a persistent feeling that something is holding them back, without fully understanding why.

Research increasingly shows that trauma affects mind and body. As leading trauma experts such as Bessel Van Der Kolk and Dr Gabor Mate have highlighted the body often carries the imprint of our experiences. When our nervous system has learned to stay in survival mode, we may experience symptoms such as hyper vigilance, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, people pleasing behaviours, or feeling disconnected from ourselves. Living in environments where your needs were consistently not met leads to trauma also and can be felt long after these original experience/s have passed.

I provide a safe and confidential  and non judgemental space where you can explore your experiences at a pace that feels right for you. There is no pressure to revisit painful memories before you are ready. Therapy is YOUR space and together we will work towards the goals that matter most to you.

My approach draws upon counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy., allowing therapy to be tailored to your individual needs. I may also use Internal Family Systems (IFS) approaches which recognise that we all have different parts of ourselves that developed of important reasons. Some parts may protect us, some may carry pain, some may even hold emotions that have never had the opportunity to be fully processed. Developing understanding and compassion for these parts can be a powerful step towards healing. My work is informed by an understanding of trauma, nervous system healing as well as the contribution of clinicians and researchers such as Dr Richard Schwartz, founder of IFS.

Many people are surprised to discover connection between trauma and behaviours they have judged themselves harshly for. Difficulties with addiction, self-sabotage, perfectionism, relationship patterns, emotional eating, anger, bullying, panic attacks or avoidance often begin as attempts to cope with overwhelming experiences. These behaviours often are present alongside symptoms such as low mood, anxiety, overwhelm, burnout or a persistent feeling of being stuck. Often these challenges are not the problem itself, but rather the understandable consequences of experiences that have overwhelmed our capacity to cope.  Rather than viewing these responses weaknesses, therapy can help you understand them and move forward.

Healing from trauma is not about forgetting the past. It is about developing a different relationship with it. Through increased self awareness, emotional regulation, nervous system support (see page on Vagal Nerve Therapy) and compassionate exploration, it IS possible to move beyond the exhausting survival state and towards a greater sense of safety, connection and wellbeing.

Whether you are struggling with the effects of a recent event or experiences from many years ago, therapy can create a lasting positive change in your life.

Trauma is not defined solely by what happened to us. It is shaped by how our mind, body and nervous system responded when we felt unsafe. Supporting our body as well as our mind to move forward is important and I use Somatic work and therapy as well as hypnotherapy relaxation to help encourage this shift in the body, with great success. This helps breaks unwanted patterns of anxiety, hyper vigilance, perfectionism, people pleasing, emotional disconnection and trust difficulties and intimacy. They are often intelligent adaptations developed by a nervous system attempting to protect us.

My approach to trauma therapy is grounded in compassion, collaboration and respect for your individual experience. I provide a space where your story can be explored safely. There is no expectation to disclose more than you feel comfortable sharing and no pressure to revisit difficult experiences before sufficient safety and stability have been established. Rather than saying “What’s wrong with you?”, trauma informed therapy invites a different question; “what happened to you and how’s your mind and body adapted in response?” Through this lens, symptoms are viewed not as pathology, but as meaningful responses that deserve understanding and compassion. Two things we tend not to give freely to ourselves in modern life.

Healing from trauma is not about erasing the past. It is about creating greater freedom in the present. As therapy progresses, many clients find themselves developing a stronger sense of self, healthier boundaries, improved relationships, greater emotional balance and a renewed capacity to engage fully with life.

Whether you are living with the effects of a recent experience or carrying wounds from much earlier in life, therapy can offer a path towards deeper understanding, self-compassion and lasting change.