Trauma & PTSD Therapy
Sudbury, Suffolk & Online
What is trauma & PTSD therapy?
Trauma therapy is support for adults living with the impact of traumatic experiences, whether recent or long ago. You might know the danger has passed, yet your mind and body still react as though it hasn’t.
Trauma and PTSD can follow many experiences, including accidents, assaults, injuries, medical events, traumatic births, sudden loss, domestic abuse, childhood abuse, or any situation that felt overwhelming, frightening or unsafe. It can also affect you if you work in healthcare, the emergency services or another frontline role.
My approach is trauma-informed, which means paying attention to how trauma is still affecting your mind, body and nervous system, and going at a pace that feels right for you.
Why do I keep replaying what happened?
After a frightening experience, the brain goes into survival mode and the memory isn't always processed in the usual way. Instead, parts of the experience can get locked in the brain, meaning that sights, sounds, smells and physical sensations can resurface as though the event is happening all over again.
You might have flashbacks that pull you back in as though you’re right there again, unwanted memories that arrive out of nowhere, or find yourself replaying what happened over and over. Sleep can be difficult too, with nightmares that feel too real, or waking suddenly with fear or tension.
Why do certain things trigger such a strong reaction?
Triggers can happen after trauma because your nervous system is trying to protect you from future danger. It links everyday sights, sounds, smells, places, sensations or situations to a past threat, so that it can react quickly if something similar happens again.
That’s why something ordinary can suddenly bring a surge of fear, panic or tension. Your heart races and your body reacts before your mind has caught up. The reaction can feel far bigger than the situation.
Sometimes a reaction is linked to something that happened much earlier, perhaps in childhood. A conflict, a raised voice or a new relationship can bring back feelings your mind and body still remember, even if you don’t make the connection straight away.
Why do I feel anxious and on edge?
After trauma, your nervous system can become stuck in a fight, flight or freeze response, constantly scanning your surroundings for danger, even when you know you are safe.
You may feel hyper-aware of what is happening around you, as though part of you is always watching for signs that something isn't right. You might jump at sudden noises or unexpected movements, and changes in your surroundings can leave you feeling tense, alert or unsettled. Relaxing can feel difficult, or even unsafe.
Why do my emotions feel so intense?
After trauma, your nervous system can change how it regulates stress, and the brain can stay on high alert to keep you safe. This can make emotions feel bigger, quicker and harder to manage than they once did.
You might find yourself becoming overwhelmed more easily, feeling irritable, tearful, anxious or angry in situations that seem small to other people. You might snap at the people closest to you, then feel guilty afterwards. At times, it can feel as though your reactions arrive before you've had a chance to think them through.
Why am I avoiding things I used to do?
It is common to avoid things after trauma because your nervous system is trying to protect you from pain, distress or perceived danger. Avoiding certain people, places, situations, memories or feelings can become a way of staying safe when something feels overwhelming.
You might find yourself changing routes, declining invitations, putting things off or withdrawing from situations that feel uncomfortable. You may keep yourself busy or use distractions to avoid difficult thoughts and emotions, even though part of you wishes things could be different.
Why do I feel disconnected from myself?
Sometimes after trauma, your nervous system protects you by numbing or disconnecting from overwhelming thoughts, feelings or experiences. Whilst this can help you cope in the moment, it can sometimes leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, other people or the world.
You might zone out, lose track of time, or feel as though you’re watching life from a distance rather than living it. Things may feel unreal or dreamlike, or you may feel numb and far away from yourself. You know you’re physically there, but emotionally you feel somewhere else.
Why hasn't life felt the same since?
Trauma doesn’t only affect your body and memories. It can change how you see yourself, other people and the world.
You might blame yourself for what happened, feel you should be over it by now, or lose interest in things you used to enjoy. The world can feel less safe, and you may not feel like the person you used to be.
How can trauma & PTSD therapy help?
Trauma may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to continue shaping every part of your life.
Over time, therapy can help you to:
Feel less overwhelmed by triggers, flashbacks and reminders of what happened
Sleep better, with fewer nightmares
Spend less time on high alert, and feel safer in your body
Feel calmer and more patient with the people around you
Reconnect with people, places and activities you’ve been avoiding, and feel more confident again
Make sense of what happened, and feel more like yourself again
How can we work together?
Therapy begins with understanding what is bringing you here and what feels most important to you.
Some people want to process past experiences, whilst others want to focus on how those experiences continue to affect their lives in the present and how they can move forwards.
We go at your pace, building safety first. You never have to share more than feels comfortable.
Many people choose EMDR to process traumatic experiences. Others prefer different approaches, or a combination. We’ll decide together what suits you.
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EMDR can help when certain memories or distressing experiences continue to trigger a strong emotional reaction in the present, even when you know they are in the past.
It can help those experiences feel less overwhelming and reduce the impact they have on how you think, feel and respond today.
Many people find EMDR particularly helpful for trauma, PTSD, flashbacks, triggers and distressing memories that continue to affect everyday life.
EMDR is also recommended by NICE for PTSD.
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ACT offers a practical way of understanding and working with the ways trauma may still be affecting your life today.
It can help you respond differently to painful thoughts, feelings and memories, reduce avoidance, and make changes that help you move forwards.
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Parts work helps you understand why different parts of you respond the way they do.
It can help you make sense of reactions such as avoidance, feeling constantly on edge or feeling stuck in ways of coping that no longer feel helpful, and begin responding differently.
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Somatic awareness means noticing how your body holds your experiences and understanding what your nervous system is doing, not just what your mind is thinking.
It can help you understand physical reactions such as tension, shaking or sudden fear, and explore ways of feeling more grounded and regulated.
If you have any questions about trauma therapy and how it may support you, you’re welcome to get in touch for a free 15-minute chat.
You may also find it helpful to read through some of the questions I am commonly asked on my FAQ page.