Trauma Therapy
When the past still lives in the present
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Integrative psychotherapy for trauma in London and online.
,,Trauma is not what happens to you; it is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you."
Gabor Mate
Trauma is not always something that feels clearly defined.
For some people, it comes from a single overwhelming event. For others, it is the result of ongoing experiences such as emotional neglect, unstable relationships, childhood abuse, or environments where they did not feel safe, seen, or emotionally held.
Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, the body and mind can continue to carry the imprint of these experiences.
You may notice that certain emotions feel too intense, relationships feel difficult or unpredictable, or that you often feel on edge without fully understanding why.
Trauma is not just a memory of the past. It is something that can quietly shape how you feel, think, relate, and respond in the present.
How trauma can show up
People respond to trauma in many different ways. You might recognise some of the following:
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Feeling emotionally overwhelmed or easily triggered
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Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
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Anxiety, panic, or a constant sense of tension
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Emotional numbness or disconnection
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Low self-esteem or deep self-criticism
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People-pleasing or difficulty saying no
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Feeling “stuck” in patterns you cannot seem to change
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Strong reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation
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Difficulty relaxing, even when nothing is wrong
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Psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or chronic tension
Many people with trauma histories describe feeling as though they are “too much” or “not enough” at the same time. In reality, these responses are often adaptive survival strategies that once helped you cope.
What is trauma?
Trauma is not defined only by what happened to you, but also by how your nervous system experienced and processed those events.
What feels overwhelming for one person may be manageable for another, depending on available support, timing, and emotional safety.
This means trauma is deeply individual. It is not about comparing experiences, but about understanding your own internal world and how it continues to respond today.
Complex trauma and attachment wounds
Many clients I work with have experienced what is often described as complex trauma or attachment-related trauma.
This can develop in childhood or adolescence when emotional needs were not consistently met, or when relationships with caregivers felt confusing, unpredictable, or unsafe.
As adults, this may show up as:
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Difficulty forming secure relationships
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Fear of abandonment or rejection
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Feeling responsible for others’ emotions
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Struggling to understand your own needs
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A deep sense of shame or emotional loneliness
These patterns are not personal flaws. They are relational adaptations shaped over time.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physiological response that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
It is often associated with events such as accidents, violence, abuse, or other situations where a person felt intense fear, helplessness, or threat. However, PTSD is not limited to extreme or single events — it can also develop after ongoing or repeated experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope.
PTSD affects how the nervous system processes safety and danger. Even when the original event is no longer happening, the body and mind can continue to react as if the threat is still present.
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
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Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
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Nightmares or disturbed sleep
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Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant
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Avoidance of places, people, or situations linked to the trauma
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Emotional numbness or detachment
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Sudden emotional or physical reactions triggered by reminders
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Difficulty concentrating or feeling present in daily life
For some people, symptoms appear soon after the event. For others, they may emerge months or even years later, sometimes triggered by a new life situation or period of stress.
PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is a reflection of how deeply the nervous system can be affected by overwhelming experiences. With the right support, it is possible to understand these responses and gradually regain a sense of safety, stability, and connection.
How Therapy Can Help?
Trauma therapy is not about forcing you to relive the past or move quickly through pain.
It is about creating safety first — both internally and within the therapeutic relationship.
In our work together, we may focus on:
Understanding how past experiences are affecting your present life
Recognising emotional and physical trauma responses
Supporting regulation of the nervous system
Exploring attachment patterns in relationships
Reducing self-criticism and shame
Rebuilding a sense of internal safety and stability
Developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself
My approach is integrative, which means I adapt the work to your pace and needs, drawing on different therapeutic methods depending on what feels most supportive.
Trauma and the body
Trauma is often stored not only in thoughts and memories, but also in the body.
This can show up as tension, fatigue, restlessness, dissociation, or physical symptoms that do not always have a clear medical explanation.
In therapy, we gently explore the connection between emotional experiences, the nervous system, and physical sensations, helping you reconnect with a sense of grounding and presence.
What you can expect from working with me?
I offer a calm, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you do not need to explain everything perfectly or have a clear narrative of what happened.
We work at a pace that feels safe for you.
The aim is not to “erase” the past, but to help you relate to it differently so that it no longer has the same emotional grip on your present life.
Over time, many clients begin to feel more grounded, more connected to themselves, and more able to navigate relationships and emotions with a greater sense of choice and ease.
Book an initial consultation
If you recognise yourself in these experiences, trauma therapy can offer a space to begin understanding and working through what you have been carrying.
You do not have to do this alone.
Get in touch to arrange an initial consultation and explore whether working together feels right for you.