Psychotherapy and Counselling services both online and in person, serving clients in London, Surrey and beyond.
Trauma & PTSD Therapy – Healing Past Experiences
Understanding Trauma & PTSD
Trauma is not defined solely by the event itself, but by its impact on your nervous system and sense of safety. In trauma-informed approaches, we often refer to both "big T" trauma—such as abuse, violence, or life-threatening events—and "little t" trauma, which may include emotional neglect, relational rupture, or chronic stress. While the latter may be less obvious, it can still have a significant emotional impact over time.
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This framework has been widely shared by authors and clinicians such as Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), Gabor Maté, Janina Fisher, and Peter Levine, who all highlight that trauma is not about the event alone, but about how it is experienced and carried in the body and mind.
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Trauma can result from any experience that feels overwhelming, frightening, or deeply distressing—whether it's a single incident or something that happened over time. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is one possible response to trauma, but not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
Common causes of trauma may include:
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Accidents or medical emergencies
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Abuse or neglect (emotional, physical, sexual)
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Loss, grief, or abandonment
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Bullying or systemic oppression
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Witnessing violence or living in unsafe environment
​Trauma affects the mind and body. You may experience flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, or a constant sense of unease. These responses are not a sign of weakness—they are your body’s attempt to stay safe.
Signs That Trauma May Be Affecting You
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Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others
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Avoidance of people, places, or reminders of the event
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Intense or unpredictable emotions (e.g. anger, fear, sadness)
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Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or fatigue
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Hypervigilance or a persistent sense of danger
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Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships
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Low self-esteem or negative self-beliefs
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Feeling stuck in the past or unable to move forward
How Therapy Supports Trauma Recovery
Healing from trauma doesn’t mean “getting over it” or forgetting what happened. Instead, therapy helps you understand how trauma lives in your body and mind, and how to develop tools to feel safer, more connected, and more grounded.
Therapy can help you:
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Understand trauma responses – Making sense of how your nervous system responds to perceived threats, such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.
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Recognise triggers and reduce their impact – Identifying the people, places, or experiences that activate trauma responses and finding ways to navigate or manage them.
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Regulate emotional responses – Developing grounding and self-soothing techniques to help you manage overwhelm and stay present.
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Explore the impact of trauma on identity and relationships – Gaining insight into how trauma may affect trust, self-worth, boundaries, and patterns in relationships.
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Reconnect with agency and meaning – Moving toward a sense of empowerment, purpose, and choice in how you live and relate to others.
How I Approach Trauma Therapy
My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing on psychodynamic, relational, and somatic frameworks to support your healing. Therapy is not about re-living painful memories, but about building trust, safety, and the capacity to move at your own pace.
In our sessions, we might:
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Use psychoeducation to demystify trauma responses and help you understand what’s happening internally which can bring relief and reduce shame.
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Explore relational patterns and attachment wounds to understand how early experiences shape how you connect with others
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Support nervous system regulation with grounding techniques and mindfulness-based practices helping you feel more stable and present day-to-day.
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Make space for your story, when you're ready, and help you make sense of how trauma has shaped your experience
You do not need to be ready to “talk about it all” to begin trauma therapy. We will work collaboratively to create a space that feels safe and steady, where healing can unfold over time.
Common Questions About Trauma Therapy
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy?
Not at all. Many people seek therapy because of overwhelming or painful life experiences, even without a formal diagnosis. You don’t need a label to begin the work of healing.
Is it re-traumatising to talk about the past?
A trauma-informed approach prioritises your safety and readiness. We don’t dive into painful memories before establishing stability. Therapy can begin by focusing on how trauma shows up in your daily life now.
How long does trauma therapy take?
There’s no fixed timeline for trauma recovery. For some, therapy may offer support around a specific issue, while for others, the work may be longer-term and exploratory. Trauma therapy often unfolds gradually, as safety and trust are built. We will take our time and work at a pace that feels manageable and respectful of your experiences.
Moving Towards Healing After Trauma
Whether your experience was recent or occurred long ago, therapy can support your process of healing, reconnecting with yourself, and creating meaningful change. Trauma may shape your story—but it doesn’t have to define it.
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I offer trauma and PTSD therapy in London, Surbiton, and online, providing a safe, steady, and compassionate space to explore what’s happened and what healing can look like for you.
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If trauma is impacting your relationships, self-esteem, or daily functioning, you may also want to explore my Relationships & Therapy – Attachment, Boundaries & Connection section.
Helpful Resources for Trauma & PTSD
Explore trusted resources offering guidance, education, and support for navigating trauma and post-traumatic stress.
If you're looking for therapy for trauma or PTSD, I invite you to get in touch. Together, we can create a therapeutic space that supports healing and a deeper sense of connection with yourself.
12 St James House, 9-15 St James Road, Surbiton, KT6 4QH, Surrey
Email: faye@kinironstherapy.com
Tel: +44 7756451376