Trauma Counselling

Initially, we’ll assess together the trauma and the specific effects of trauma on your life. This means describing your symptoms, triggers, and goals for therapy. In addition, I’ll be listening closely without judgement.

Based on this assessment, together we’ll work out a plan for therapy as we take into account and address your unique needs. Next, I’ll draw on evidence-based emotion-focused and focusing-oriented therapies as you deepen your understanding of your patterns of response. Our work will, as a result, be experiential. This means that healing from trauma is a slow and sensitive process that involves inner work and a bodily awareness. Bringing your whole person along, as described, allows the healing process to move forward.

At this point, we’ll identify your current helpful and unhelpful coping skills. These are the ones you draw on when faced with emotions and symptoms associated with trauma. Thus, we’ll explore and experience new ways of emotion regulation as well as learn or fine-tune such well known techniques and practices as grounding, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, and mindfulness.

Working on self-esteem or self-worth goes hand in hand with processing that part of you that has been 1) consistently violated, squashed, dismissed or denied, that 2) typically remains hidden and unseen, that 3) is scared  or ashamed, or 4) is self-blaming and/or feels guilty.

Your inner strength and personal resources have allowed you to navigate and endure so much adversity so far. Reaching out for support has brought you to seek counselling. Your courage and resolve in doing this is a force to be acknowledged. Your empowered self needs continued and consistent support to form and re-emerge. In your unique way, you’ll develop an inner relationship with the side of you that struggles. This allows you to find a way of looking after it. It also allows you then to grow the whole person you are on the inside and to become who you want to be deep down and at your core.

Furthermore, we’ll identify and process relational difficulties resulting from the trauma. Such relational difficulties are currently standing in the way of you having the kind of relationships you want and feel nurtured by. We’ll therefore aim to process your trauma to the point where you’ll be able to feel and receive the support of people whom you trust. You’ll work towards being able to set boundaries in a way that empowers you and allows you to develop those healthy, nourishing relationships that so far may have remained elusive or difficult.

Our plan will include integrating being the true You in your daily life. This is developing the you that you want to be throughout the counselling process. In addition, we’ll attend to new relationship challenges as they arise. Relationship challenges might relate to your inner relationship with yourself and how you are with yourself, or they might be to do with the new interpersonal dynamics of the relationships you’re wanting to develop.

Re-entering your family, social, and/or work relationships may activate new and old responses in you. Accordingly, developing reflectiveness and ultimately self-compassion will always be supported. You will be encouraged to continue with self-care routines that work for you. Furthermore, establishing/ maintaining healthy boundaries will empower you to develop relationships as you want them to be. Finally, I will provide follow-up sessions as needed, to support your well-being long-term.