Trauma Counselling & Psychotherapy

Trauma can result from a single distressing event or from experiences that occur over time. Whether you have experienced abuse, neglect, bullying, bereavement, a serious illness, an accident, relationship difficulties or other overwhelming life events, trauma can continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, relationships and sense of safety long after the experience has ended.

At WJH Therapy, I provide a supportive and compassionate space where you can explore the impact of trauma at your own pace. Alongside counselling and psychotherapy, I also offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an evidence-based approach that can help reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories and support healing and recovery.

Trauma affects everyone differently. You may experience:

• Anxiety, fear, or panic

• Low mood or depression

• Difficulty trusting others

• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected

• Flashbacks or intrusive memories

• Sleep difficulties or nightmares

• Anger, irritability, or frustration

• Feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame

• Low self-esteem and confidence

• Difficulties within relationships

• Feeling constantly alert or on edge

These responses are often natural reactions to difficult experiences and do not mean there is something wrong with you.

Trauma therapy offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to explore your experiences and their impact on your life. For some clients, EMDR therapy may also be appropriate as part of the therapeutic process.

Therapy can help you:

• Understand trauma responses

• Process difficult thoughts and emotions

• Reduce the impact of distressing memories

• Develop coping strategies for emotional distress

• Strengthen emotional resilience

• Improve self-esteem and self-compassion

• Build healthier relationships and boundaries

• Reduce feelings of shame and self-blame

• Regain a sense of safety and control

• Move forward with greater confidence and hope

As an integrative psychotherapist and EMDR practitioner, I tailor therapy to your individual needs, ensuring that support progresses at a pace that feels safe, comfortable and manageable for you.

I understand that discussing traumatic experiences can feel daunting. You will never be pressured to talk about anything before you are ready. My priority is creating a therapeutic relationship based on trust, compassion and emotional safety.

Whether your experiences are recent or from many years ago, counselling, psychotherapy and EMDR can help you make sense of what has happened and support your journey towards healing and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trauma counselling?

Trauma counselling is a therapeutic approach which can help individuals understand, process and recover from the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic experiences. It provides a safe and supportive environment to explore difficult feelings and develop healthier coping strategies.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people process traumatic memories and distressing experiences. It can help reduce the emotional intensity associated with past events and support recovery from trauma.

What types of experiences can cause trauma?

Trauma can result from many different experiences, including abuse, neglect, bullying, domestic violence, bereavement, serious illness, accidents, relationship breakdowns, workplace difficulties or witnessing distressing events.

How do I know if trauma is affecting me?

Common signs include anxiety, low mood, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories, emotional numbness, feeling constantly on edge, hyper-vigilant, avoidance of certain situations, relationship difficulties and changes in confidence or self-esteem.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No, therapy moves at a pace that feels right for you. Building safety, trust and coping skills is often an important first step and you will never be pressured to discuss experiences before you feel ready.

Is EMDR suitable for everyone?

EMDR can be highly effective for many people, but it may not be the right approach for every situation. An assessment will help determine whether EMDR, counselling, psychotherapy or a combination of approaches would best meet your needs.

Can childhood experiences affect me as an adult?

Yes, difficult childhood experiences can continue to influence self-esteem, emotional and psychological well-being, relationships and coping styles throughout adulthood. Therapy can help you explore these experiences and their ongoing impact.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

If you feel you have been affected by trauma and would like support, please get in touch.