What is Trauma?

The American Psychological Association defines trauma as the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences.

If you’re not sure if you have trauma, but you think you might need help, we’re here for you.

Types of Trauma

Acute Trauma

Acute trauma mainly results from a single distressing event.

Examples can include: accident (motor vehicle, dog bite), assault, domestic/relationship crisis, natural disaster.

Chronic Trauma

Chronic trauma happens when a person is exposed to multiple, long-term, and/or prolonged distressing, traumatic events over an extended period.

Examples of chronic trauma are: a long-term serious illness, sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying, and exposure to extreme situations, such as a war, repeated exposure to disturbing/difficult situations in Health Care or First Responder settings.

Complex Trauma

Complex trauma results from exposure to multiple traumatic events or experiences. These events usually result from negative experiences within our primary attachment relationships.

This is commonly seen in individuals who have been victims of childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, family disputes, or other repetitive situations.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We offer many evidence-based interventions to support with alleviating symptoms of trauma and mental health difficulties so you can start to feel better..

  • Ego-state therapy, also known as parts therapy, focuses on identifying and addressing different "ego-states" within an individual. Traumatic experiences can create fragmented parts within a person's psyche.

    By addressing the interactions and relationships among these internal parts, individuals can achieve a deeper level of integration and more complete resolution of traumatic memories.

  • CBT is a widely-used therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is structured and goal-oriented, focusing on the present rather than past experiences. CBT is effective for anxiety, depression, and various mental health conditions.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique designed to help individuals process and overcome trauma and distressing memories. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the therapist helps the client recall traumatic events, facilitating emotional processing and reducing symptoms of a variety of mental health concerns.

  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories and distressing emotions quickly. It uses techniques similar to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) but incorporates guided imagery and voluntary memory recall.

  • DBT is a type of cognitive therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. Originally developed for treating borderline personality disorder, it emphasizes emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and acceptance. It focuses on helping individuals balance acceptance and change.

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of emotions in understanding and improving psychological well-being. It helps individuals/couples identify, experience, and express their emotions, fostering emotional awareness and regulation.

  • CPT is a specific form of cognitive therapy primarily used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps individuals process traumatic experiences by identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. The goal is to develop healthier ways of thinking about the trauma and its impact.

  • If seeking treatment for an anxiety disorder (phobia, OCD, trauma etc), it is likely that exposure therapy will be a part of your treatment.

    Exposure therapy is a cognitive-behavioral technique that involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations, memories, or stimuli that trigger their anxiety or distress.

    The therapist will support you in engaging with the feared stimuli to reduce distress and avoidance in a controlled and safe environment.

    The goal is to desensitize the individual to the distressing triggers which help them to develop more adaptive responses. Item description

  • Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of early relationships in shaping an individual's psychological well-being.

    Therapists will support you by exploring how past attachment experiences influences current reactions to traumatic memories.

    Addressing attachment-related issues can lead to a deeper understanding of emotional reactions and support with the development of healthier relationships.

  • Somatic Therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the body's physiological responses to trauma and stress. It emphasizes the role of the nervous system in processing and releasing traumatic experiences.

  • The Gottman Method aims "to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.

    This approach is often used in Couples Therapy.

  • Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses real-time monitoring of brain activity to teach individuals how to self-regulate their brain function.

    Through specialized equipment and techniques, it aims to improve mental performance and emotional well-being.