Trauma Therapy & PTSD Therapy in London (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Experiencing a traumatic event can lead to a very challenging time. It can have consequences that are not always immediately visible but can lead to serious mental and emotional issues later on, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can be a very debilitating anxiety-based distress.
Nightmares, intrusive thoughts and images and difficulties managing emotions can lead to a disorienting and disrupted existence. Developing PTSD can be the normal response to the exceptional circumstances of experiencing trauma. It would be best to tackle it as soon as possible with a trained PTSD, Trauma Therapist. It might be important to seek Trauma and PTSD counselling because, with the help of a trained clinician using an evidence-based therapy approach for Trauma, you have the opportunity to break negative patterns, improve your sense of agency and control and stop the vicious cycle of fear and anxiety that keeps you stuck. Beat Trauma and PTSD with Therapy Central in London starting today. Read on to learn more about PTSD and Trauma therapy, and get in touch with us for a free 15 min consultation.
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Discover Trauma & PTSD Therapy
What are Trauma and PTSD?
Trauma usually impacts an individual’s mental and emotional stability following a distressing or life-threatening event. Trauma is a normal reaction to an extraordinary event, and people often experience shock or denial, which can fade naturally with time.
A person may undergo a range of emotional reactions, such as fear, anger, guilt, shame, feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. In these cases, the person may need help to overcome the stress and dysfunction caused by the traumatic event and restore the individual to a state of healthy emotional well-being. They may have ongoing problems with sleep or physical pain, trouble with their personal and professional relationships, and issues with low self-esteem. For those who have existing mental health problems, events like these could trigger them or make them harder to deal with.
While many sources of trauma are physically violent in nature, others are psychological. Some common sources of trauma include:
- Violent attacks, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
- Domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Severe illness or injury, e.g. from a road accident
- The death of a loved one (leading also to bereavement issues)
- Witnessing an act of violence
- Traumatic birth
- Childhood abuse
- Bullying
What is PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur following a severely traumatic incident or a series of less severe incidents. In this sense, PTSD can occur as a reaction to experiencing trauma. PTSD is known as an anxiety-based disorder, and thus it shares similarities with other anxiety issues, such as OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), Panic Disorder and Social and Health Anxiety.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD?
Some of the main symptoms of PTSD are:
- Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, intrusive thoughts (and images) or nightmares
- Physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling
- Constantly feeling on edge and alert, experiencing high anxiety, irritability, finding it hard to concentrate or panic attacks
- Avoiding feelings or memories of the traumatic event by keeping busy
- Avoiding talking about the event or doing anything that reminds you of the trauma
- This may also lead to using substances to numb feelings, such as substance misuse
- Not being able to remember the event fully, through dissociation (a sense of disconnection from our thoughts, feelings or memories)
- Feeling physically or emotionally numb
What is Complex PTSD (cPTSD)
Complex PTSD is a more complicated version of PTSD, at times confused for a personality disorder, which we can experience due to repeated childhood traumas. CPTSD is often more severe if the trauma was experienced early in life, affecting a child’s development. CPTSD can cause similar symptoms to PTSD and may not develop until years after the event. If you feel you might have cPTSD get in touch with us to discuss starting a course of trauma therapy in London. Symptoms of cPTSD (in addition to the classic PTSD symptoms highlighted above) include:
- feeling like you can’t trust anyone
- blaming yourself for what happened
- feeling like nowhere is safe
- overwhelming feelings of anger, sadness, guilt or shame
- feeling like nobody understands you and your issues
Why do we Experience PTSD?
PTSD as a memory processing issue
PTSD develops because the trauma experience was so distressing that we want to avoid any reminder of it. Our brains don’t process the experience into a memory, so the experience becomes ‘stuck’ as a current problem instead of becoming a memory of a past event. Each time we are reminded of the event (i.e. people, places or smells), the ‘flashbacks’ mean we experience the trauma again, as though it is happening again, right now. A flashback is a vivid experience that can sometimes be like watching a video of what happened, noticing sounds, smells, physical sensations or tastes connected to the trauma, experiencing the emotions you felt during the trauma. It can last for just a few seconds or continue for several hours. As this is very distressing, we do our utmost to stop the flashback and avoid any further reminder of the event, so it remains un-processed.
PTSD is maintained by Avoidance
We try to avoid all the situations, people, places and even thoughts, which are likely to distress us. This avoidance helps prevent us from becoming distressed in the short-term, but it is one of the main factors which keep the problem going in the long term. Avoidance also interferes greatly with our everyday lives as our lives become very restricted. Because we become upset and avoid thinking about the trauma, the brain has not been able to process and file the memory away, so any trigger tricks the brain into thinking the event is happening again, right now. In other words, we re-experience all the feelings and sensations as though it really was happening right now.
Why does PTSD have Physical Effects?
When we feel stressed, our bodies release hormones called cortisol and adrenaline. This is the body’s automatic way of preparing to respond to a threat. Research has shown that someone with PTSD will continue to produce these hormones when they are no longer in danger, which is thought to explain some reported physical symptoms such as extreme alertness, being easily startled, fatigue, poor concentration, racing heartbeat, sweating etc. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for trauma victims to turn to drugs to self-medicate and cope with its effects, which may turn into an addiction. Depression and anxiety are also commonly associated with PTSD. With the help of your trauma therapist, you’ll be able to deal with these issues, which sometimes accompany PTSD.
When should I ask for Help and Seek Trauma Therapy for PTSD?
The symptoms of PTSD can be extremely difficult to face. The effects can become so severe that they interfere with an individual’s ability to live a normal life. It can be hard to maintain relationships, work, enjoy leisure time, carry out simple everyday tasks, remember things, and make decisions. Sometimes it can go unnoticed, highlighting the importance of talking to someone after a traumatic event has occurred, even if no initial signs of disturbance are visible.
Trauma can manifest days, months or even years after the actual event. If you feel that you have experienced a potentially traumatic event or notice early signs of PTSD, like the ones highlighted above, it is important to act quickly to prevent PTSD from disrupting your everyday life. Simply asking yourself whether your habits, relationships, work situation or leisure time activities have changed can give you an idea of whether there might be an issue to address with a trained PTSD therapist.
If you are looking for PTSD & Trauma therapy in Central London, Contact us for a free 15 min consultation with one of our experienced PTSD therapists can offer the help you need.
Does PTSD and Trauma Therapy Work?
The short answer is yes. Two main therapeutic approaches have shown to be consistently helpful in addressing PTSD. These are Trauma-Focussed Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) [1]. We will discuss both in detail in the next section.
Both approaches have been evidenced to reduce the impact of trauma on individuals and how they perceive and react to their memories over time. People who have completed a TF-CBT course or EMDR often describe themselves as not becoming overwhelmed or strongly affected by their traumatic memories.
It may be a preference of the individual or a collaborative decision between the client and the trauma therapist which model is used within therapy and feels the best fit for you. Both CBT for trauma and EMDR can last around 12 sessions, but depending on the individual and complexity of trauma, this could vary.
Many of our PTSD therapists have experience in both models and receive ongoing supervision to ensure safe and ethical application. At Therapy Central, we provide a safe and confidential space to explore and develop coping strategies for the intense physiological symptoms described above, as well as nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, and anxiety related to trauma. Your PTSD therapist will help you learn effective ways to manage stressful or triggering situations to support you in moving forward. We hope that the management of symptoms alongside other components of your life will leave you with a sense of confidence, safety and control over your ability to deal with challenges in the future.
What is CBT for PTSD (Trauma-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)?
TF-CBT helps you understand the brain and bodily responses that help maintain the memories after traumatic experiences. It can help you identify the factors that help maintain PTSD symptoms, such as misrepresented thought patterns about the experience, resulting in self-blame and feeling unsafe. You are guided in learning to replace these with more accurate and realistic ones, which will help you cope better with future triggers and promote more positive beliefs about the self.
Our experienced London-based Trauma & PTSD therapists at Therapy Central will help you think about or imagine the traumatic event in a safe, non-judgmental environment. We can begin to gradually expose you to those situations that trigger a reminder of the event by elaborating and processing the memories. This will encourage our brain to process the traumatic event into memory, filing it away in the appropriate part of the brain to become a past event, rather than constantly reliving the trauma as though it is happening right now. Part of this will be to look at situations that are currently being avoided and begin challenging these behaviours. Symptoms such as nightmares and flashbacks are sensitively managed by developing bespoke coping strategies to deal with them.
Inevitably, thinking and talking about the trauma may bring up difficult emotions and memories. Nonetheless, we know from experience that it can help reduce the overall distress and encourage a resolution of the problem. During the entire process, your therapist will support you in navigating any distress that comes up. We also acknowledge that trauma-focused work is not for everyone. We will make every effort to create an environment where you can control what direction the trauma therapy takes. This could involve talking about and managing the depression and anxiety that you may experience due to the traumatic experience.
In your therapy sessions for PTSD, your trauma therapist can also work with you to explore the vicious cycles you may be experiencing and help you break out of these cycles. This is often the case with CBT Therapy. See an example of a CBT vicious Cycle of PTSD below).
What is EMDR for PTSD (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another approach recommended by the NICE guidelines. It aims to help “desensitise the person to the emotional impact of the memory” (EMDR UK and Ireland) to reduce the intense feelings experienced. This is achieved by recalling the event whilst moving the eyes from side-to-side and following the therapist’s finger, hearing a sound in alternating ears, or tapping alternating hands whilst targeting specific memories to a point where the memory is no longer distressing.
EMDR is delivered in phases. Like TF-CBT, the therapist will help you understand your reactions to trauma and manage the current distressing day-to-day symptoms such as flashbacks using relaxation and other techniques before identifying and targeting specific memories through its unique method.
What are the Benefits of PTSD and Trauma Therapy?
It can be easier to speak with a trained PTSD therapist as opposed to a friend or relative. At Therapy Central, we have experienced counsellors, psychologists, and therapists specialised in treating PTSD and trauma work who will actively listen to you. They will provide a comfortable, warm and non-judgmental space for you to explore and manage your symptoms. A course of PTSD and Trauma therapy in London with a trained clinician will enable short and long term benefits, such as:
- Being able to recall the traumatic event with less negative emotions
- Increased ability to manage difficult emotions
- Reducing the frequency and intensity of nightmares and flashbacks
- Changing unhealthy behaviours (i.e., avoidance) which keep your PTSD going
- Feeling a greater sense of control of yourself, your safety and your surroundings (improved self-efficacy)
- Improving personal and professional relationships
- Greater resilience to future negative events
- General improvement in the quality of life
Debunking Myths about PTSD and Trauma Counselling
- Not all trauma and PTSD symptoms occur immediately after the event has happened, as it could take months or longer.
- Suffering from PTSD does not imply any form of weakness. Some predisposing factors may exist that will contribute to developing symptoms, such as having experienced repeated trauma or having low self-esteem. Despite that, everybody is different, and these contributing factors do not mean PTSD will definitely occur following a traumatic event.
- PTSD is not a sign that there is something wrong with you. The brain and body are powerful things and are trying to protect us by telling us that we should be wary of further danger. However, this process can become ineffective in some cases and leave us thinking that most things are unsafe. Therapy and counselling can help to resolve this.
- Clients are frequently fearful that PTSD and Trauma therapy will bring up terrifying feelings akin to those experienced during the event(s). However, an experienced and competent trauma therapist will foster a restorative process in which the aim is to obtain a sense of safety and control in the individual’s life.
Our therapists specialised in Trauma Therapy & PTSD Therapy
All of our therapists are qualified psychologists, psychotherapists or counsellors registered with several professional bodies. These include the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the British Psychological Society (BPS), as well as, BACP, UKCP and BABCP.
Our therapists use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative approaches tailored around your needs to help you deal with your unique challenges and reach your goals.
Testimonials
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The Therapist l had was absolutely brilliant with me. He had patience with me and bit by bit l gained a little of confidence to try and get out and go on the buses.
He deserves an award and if l could l would in the beginning l thought how is this person going to get me back on public transport but he did he gave me the confidence l lost and now have back.
I will never forget him and what he has done for me. I wish him nothing but the best in his life.
(Patricia)
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My therapist was excellent. I highly recommend her and I am truly thankful for my sessions, I left feeling confident and positive.
The mental tools, systems and approaches I have been able to develop with her and use in my life have been hugely beneficial.
Thank you to all at Therapy Central.
(John)
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The Therapist really gave me the space to talk and express my feelings and fears in a very comforting environment.
She was there not only to listen, but challenge my thinking, guide me during the uncertainty I was experiencing and give me useful and practical tips to improve my mental health and wellbeing. Highly recommended!
(George)
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Working with the therapist has been a life-changing experience. Each session has been invaluable, helping me gain a good understanding of CBT methodology enabling me to incorporate ways to combat stress and anxiety in my daily life.
The Therapist shows that she really cares and has the ability to make you feel calm whilst discussing any personal issue.
(Richard)
Fees & Insurances
Therapy, Counselling and CBT sessions are 50 minutes long and are usually held at regular weekly time slots.
Free
15 Minute Initial
Phone Consultation
£80 - £125
Psychological Therapy/
Counselling (Self-funded)
£115 - £150
Couples Therapy/
Family Therapy
Covered by
Your Private Healthcare Insurance Provider
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy, Counselling & TF-CBT in London
If you are looking for PTSD therapy in London, at Therapy Central, we can help you learn the strategies you need to start dealing with your difficult thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks and other issues stemming from traumatic experiences. As a result, you’ll be enabled to make the crucial changes to bring balance and fulfilment back into your life. No one should face PTSD alone.
Get professional help with PTSD in London today. Contact us for a free 15 min consultation with a PTSD Therapist to see if our help would fit your needs. You can also get in touch via email at info@therapy-central.com or call us at (+44) 020 348 82797.
FAQ
What happens after I make an enquiry?
After receiving your enquiry we’ll contact you to organise a FREE phone consultation. You will be able to tell us more about your specific circumstances and needs and ask any questions you have. Then, if you want to proceed with therapy or counselling, we’ll match you with the therapist(s) with the best expertise to help you with your challenges and send you a list of their available appointment slots. If you’re satisfied with one of these, we can then go ahead and book your first appointment. You can also request to work with a specific practitioner and, depending on availability we’ll try accomodate this.
What happens at my first appointment with the therapist?
Your first session will likely be different than future appointments. You and your therapist will get to know each other and will begin to build a working alliance. It will be a chance to have the confidential space to express your circumstances, feelings and thoughts and being listened to with depth, attention, empathy and without judgement . Your therapist will likely ask you more about your reasons for seeking therapy, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. You may also be asked questions about your past and the history of your issues, as well as how they currently impact your life in the present. Finally, your first session may be a powerful place to discuss what you would like to achieve with therapy and agree on the length, methods and approaches of treatment.
Is online therapy effective?
If you choose online over in-person therapy rest assured that this has been proven to be just as effective as regular face to face therapy, and in some cases even more effective. In addition, choosing online therapy brings additional benefits, for example avoiding longer waiting times, greater flexibility with appointments and you won’t need to travel to our practice. You can enjoy online therapy from the comfort of your home.
How long the Therapy/counselling sessions last?
Therapy/counselling sessions last 50 minutes and are held at regular weekly time slots. On occasions we are able to allow some flexibility. This can be discussed with your therapist.
Do you offer reduced rates/concessions?
We offer low-cost rates to people with a low income, unemployed or students. Please let us know in your enquiry if you would like a concession rate and how you qualify for this. Depending on the availability of our therapists, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
We have a 48 hours no-fee cancellation policy. However you will be charged for sessions missed without giving the full notice.
Our Practice in Central London
Our comfortable and confidential therapy rooms are conveniently located 3 min walk from Oxford Circus station, in Central London (see map below). Change starts with Talking!
Authors:
Dr Sheetal Dandgey, Counselling Psychologist
Dr Raffaello Antonino, Counselling Psychologist
Learn more:
Mind (UK Mental Health charity)
References:
[1] Bradley, R., Greene, J., Russ, E., Dutra, L., & Westen, D. (2005). A multidimensional meta-analysis of psychotherapy for PTSD. American journal of Psychiatry, 162(2), 214-227.
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