Trauma can arise from a single event, or from an accumulation of experiences. It can be something past and something ongoing.
A definition of trauma that I find useful is “too much too much-ness”. It is something that overwhelms, stops you from being able to function well, and gets in the way of you being able to live a full life.
Symptoms of trauma can include flashbacks, nightmares, chronic insomnia, anxiety and panic, loss of memory, loss of time, and feeling shut down or cut off.
The priority in therapy is your physical and emotional safety.
I work with you in a sensitive, collaborative and boundaried way to establish this, to make sure that the therapy proceeds in a way that feels right for you and your needs, whilst also working towards your hopes for the therapy.
This includes setting a pace that feels safe for you, and collaborating with you throughout the process to make sure the therapy stays helpful to you.
We can make use of grounding techniques, objects, pictures, story-telling, writing and other resources to help you feel safe and supported during sessions, and outside of therapy too.
I support you to advocate for your physical and emotional well-being, so that you can make practical, positive and lasting changes for your life.