Trauma Work & TRE

The trauma response is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history; it plays a critical role in safeguarding our survival in moments of perceived threat or danger. Whilst it may keep us safe in the moment of distress, this response can become dysregulated when individuals are exposed to highly traumatic experiences, chronic or prolonged stress. We may start to unconsciously default to the trauma response even when it is not needed. The following experiences may emerge and persist in life as part of the debilitating impact of trauma:

  • Anxiety

  • Hypervigilance

  • Emotion and/or mood dysregulation

  • Behavioural changes

  • Relational difficulties

  • Physical health issues

  • Intrusive thoughts and memories

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Avoidance, numbing and dissociation

  • Difficulty with memory and concentration

  • Persistent negative self beliefs

Trauma recovery can be a profound process. Learning to access an embodied sense of safety can be liberating and empowering, giving us the opportunity to exist beyond the confines of our most difficult life experiences.

Trauma Focused Psychotherapy

Whilst I currently practice with a trauma informed approach with all clients, Trauma Focused Therapy sessions use a more systematic approach, working with a tri-phasic model:

Safety & Stabilisation > Processing Memories > Integration, Meaning & Growth

These sessions are designed for clients struggling with the impact of trauma, seeking to feel safety and empowerment in their lives. Individuals with or without PTSD/CPTSD and other related diagnoses welcome.

Trauma, particularly from early childhood, can shape the narratives we construct about ourselves. These beliefs have the power to shape our worldview and can be compounded by intense feelings of shame, limiting our capacity for self compassion. By addressing and shifting this deeply held matrix of narratives, beliefs and feelings, we can directly change how we integrate our difficult experiences and therefore how we feel about ourselves.

Groupwork / Group Therapy

Group process can serve as a powerful tool for instilling hope and offering support, validation, connection and empathy.

I’m currently developing a range of groupwork options to begin in Autumn 2024. Please contact me if you are interested in the following:

  • 8-week Sexual Trauma Recovery Group (single gender and mixed gender options, in-person)

  • Group Therapy for Sexual Trauma Survivors (single gender and mixed gender options, in-person, open ended)

  • Online Trauma Recovery Group (mixed group, weekly online meetings, all trauma experiences welcome)

TRE (Trauma & Tension Release Exercises)

The trauma response occurs in the body as we prepare to flight, flight or freeze as a means of survival. For those that have experienced chronic or extensive trauma (particularly if the traumatic incident was or felt inescapable), the body can often default to these defence mechanisms even when we no longer need to. This can lead to psychological difficulty such as anxiety and depression, but also health problems including inflammation, poor sleep, immune issues and chronic pain.

TRE is a simple set of exercises designed to activate the body’s natural shaking mechanism as a way of releasing stored trauma and tension patterns in the body. It focuses on the core muscles that are contracted during stress and the trauma response. Through regular practice, we become more connected to the body and improve our ability to self regulate. This instinctive process of shaking allows us to de-stress and enhance our emotional and physical wellbeing.

As I complete my TRE Provider certification, I am offering TRE sessions to individuals and small groups free of charge. This can be online or in-person. Please contact me for more information.