Trauma and Past Experiences: Trauma Therapy London
Trauma is the response our nervous system has to a frightening or distressing event. It can come from a single event, such as an accident, or from repeated experiences, like living in an unsafe or overwhelming situation.1
Our past experiences shape how we think, feel, and respond to everyday situations. But trauma can, unfortunately, also affect how we see ourselves and relate to others. If you’ve noticed patterns that feel difficult to shift, such as finding it hard to trust others or feeling easily overwhelmed, trauma therapy can help.
Trauma-informed therapy helps you understand where these patterns come from and how to begin moving forward.
Benefits of Therapy for Trauma
Trauma therapy can help reduce symptoms and their impact on your life. Key benefits include:
01
Symptom Relief
- Therapy can ease symptoms such as flashbacks by helping you respond differently to memories and triggers.2,3
02
Enhanced Coping Skills
- Therapy can help you develop strategies for coping with overwhelming feelings and unhelpful beliefs.2
03
Improved Relationships
- Traumatic events can leave people feeling on edge, vulnerable, or wary of others. Therapy can help you feel safer in yourself and begin to rebuild trust in others.5
04
Promotes Long-Term Recovery
- Many people experience long-term improvements, including reduced low mood, anxiety, or sleep difficulties.4,5
04
Less Physical Pain
- Trauma can also affect the body, contributing to physical tension or pain. As emotional responses are processed, the nervous system can begin to settle, reducing physical tension.6
Types of Trauma Therapy
Trauma-focused therapy uses cognitive, emotional, and behavioural approaches to help you process trauma.
Evidence-based therapies for trauma and PTSD include:2,7
TF-CBT focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected, while helping process difficult experiences.
EMDR uses guided eye movements or tapping to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
CPT helps identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs linked to trauma.
NET helps place traumatic memories within the context of your life story.
PET supports gradual, safe exposure to memories or situations to reduce fear over time.
Dr Vjosa Hyseni’s Trauma Informed Practice
I’m a Chartered Counselling Psychologist based in London, with doctoral-level training in psychology.
Trauma informed care shifts the focus from ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’ It goes beyond just treating symptoms, considering the broader impact trauma can have on your life.1
I take an integrative approach to trauma therapy. This means I combine evidence-based approaches to provide personalised treatment suited to your needs and goals. For example, we might work together to understand patterns, process difficult memories, and develop coping strategies that feel practical and effective.
Building trust and safety is an essential part of therapy. I aim to create a space where you feel able to talk openly about your thoughts and feelings, with no pressure to revisit any distressing memories before you feel ready.
Book a Session With a Trauma Therapist
If past experiences, such as generational trauma or childhood trauma, are affecting your daily life, I am here to support you.
I provide integrative, evidence-based therapy tailored to your needs. This means our work is based on established clinical approaches while being tailored to your individual experiences and goals.
I offer in-person therapy for trauma in London, as well as online sessions, allowing you to access therapy in a way that feels manageable.
If you are considering therapy for trauma, please reach out to me to discuss your situation or ask any questions. My support is available when you feel ready.
FAQs About Trauma Therapy
Therapy can feel daunting for many people, which is why I’ve answered some of the most common questions I receive about therapy for trauma below.
No, you’re not expected to share everything right away. While it’s helpful to understand your goals, we will gradually build trust and process experiences at a pace that feels right for you.
It is common to feel worse before you feel better in trauma therapy. This can happen as difficult emotions begin to surface. However, this is typically temporary and improves as traumatic memories are reprocessed.