Trauma Therapy in Tunbridge Wells
When something happened in the past, but your mind and body still respond as though it is happening now.
Trauma doesn't always look the way we expect it to. You may experience anxiety, emotional overwhelm, difficulty trusting people, relationship difficulties, low self-worth or a constant feeling that something isn't quite right — without immediately connecting these experiences to what you've been through.
You may even understand your experiences intellectually and know that they happened in the past, but still find yourself reacting in ways you don't fully understand or control.
I offer trauma-informed integrative counselling in Tunbridge Wells and online, helping you understand the patterns that have developed and, where appropriate, work towards meaningful change.
How trauma can affect you
Trauma can affect much more than the classic post traumatic stress we see in the media.
It can influence how you see yourself, how safe you feel with other people and how you respond when relationships get strained. Does any of this ring a bell?
constantly being on alert or expecting something to go wrong
struggling to relax or switch off
feeling overwhelmed by emotions / feeling disconnected
feeling responsible for other people's feelings
struggling to say no or set boundaries
experiencing recurring patterns in relationships
struggling with shame or low self-worth
knowing something isn't working but finding it difficult to change
These can feel true even if there wasn’t a single event that cause them.
When understanding isn't enough
Some clients can quote the theory better than my tutor.
Understanding yourself can be incredibly valuable, but insight doesn't always create change on its own.
Sometimes the patterns we develop have helped us cope, protect ourselves or maintain relationships at different points in our lives. Even when those patterns are no longer helpful, they can continue to feel automatic.
Therapy can provide a space to slow these patterns down, understand what is happening and begin developing different ways of relating to yourself and other people.
The aim isn't simply to understand why you are the way you are. It is to create the possibility of responding differently — and experiencing yourself differently.
How I work
I work integratively, drawing on different therapeutic approaches depending on what you need and what we discover together.
Our work may involve exploring your past experiences and relationships, understanding patterns in the present, developing practical strategies for managing difficult emotions, and looking at the beliefs you have developed about yourself and other people.
We will work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
You don't need to share what you’re not comfortable sharing, and you don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to work on.
Trauma counselling in Tunbridge Wells and online
I offer counselling from central Tunbridge Wells as well as online sessions for clients elsewhere in the UK.
If you're considering therapy but aren't sure whether it is right for you, you're welcome to get in touch and we can talk about what you're looking for and whether I might be the right person to support you.