THERAPY FOR TRAUMA IN BERKHAMSTED
Trauma refers to experiences that overwhelm a person’s capacity to cope, process, or make sense of what is happening at the time. These experiences may be acute, such as a car crash or prolonged and repeated experiences over time, such as childhood abuse. Trauma can influence how we think, feel, and behave, long after the traumatic event has passed. From a psychological perspective, trauma can be understood as a disruption in the brain’s threat, memory, and regulation systems, often leaving individuals feeling as though they are still “stuck” in the past or operating in survival mode.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These events may be one-off or prolonged and repeated. Trauma can come in many forms, including:
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Military combat and service-related trauma
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Childhood abuse or neglect
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Sexual assault or gender-based violence
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Medical trauma (e.g., ICU stays, cancer treatment)
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Natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence
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Sudden bereavement or loss
PTSD is not a sign of weakness—it is a natural human response to overwhelming stress and an abnormal situation. Common features include:
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Intrusive memories, images, or flashbacks
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Nightmares or disturbed sleep
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Avoidance of reminders of the event
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Persistent sense of threat or hypervigilance
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Emotional and cognitive changes, including guilt or negative beliefs about self​
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What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), particularly after prolonged or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse or intimate partner violence. C-PTSD includes the core PTSD symptoms along with disturbances in self-organisation, including:
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Persistent negative self-perception. This may include beliefs relating to blame, failure and feeling of guilt and shame relating to the traumatic event
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Difficulty managing emotions (such as signfiicant irritability or anger, a numbness or lack of feeling)
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Difficulties in relationships and trust
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A fragmented or unstable sense of identity
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Persistent emotional overwhelm or shutdown
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PTSD can also be profoundly influenced by identity and context. For example:
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Military veterans may face moral injury, survivor’s guilt, or complex emotional responses related to combat exposure.
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Survivors of gender-based violence may also face stigma, fear of disclosure, or additional psychological harm if they were not believed or supported.
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Children and young people may display symptoms such as repetitive play with themes of trauma, regressive behaviours such as bedwetting or excessive clinginess, and behavioural changes or 'outbursts'.
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​In the UK, research shows that 10% of people will experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at some point in their lifetime – but it’s estimated that up to 70% of people with PTSD & C-PTSD do not receive any professional help at all.
How Can Therapy Help PTSD & C-PTSD?
Understanding why PTSD or CPTSD has developed is an important step in trauma therapy. The linen cupboard metaphor is a way of demonstrating how trauma responses can be stored and triggered within the brain. Neuroscience has taught us that trauma memories are stored and activated differently to other types of memories. Imagine a linen cupboard where you neatly store various items like bedsheets, blankets, and towels. Memories in PTSD are a bit like items stuffed in a messy linen cupboard. Whenever you brush pass the cupboard the door flies open and towels, clothing or blankets fall out. Each item represents a trauma memory or response. Whenever you come across a reminder of the trauma (which can be internal thoughts or external stimuli), you have flashbacks or intrusive memories, and feel intense fear. A typical response is to try to stuff things back in the cupboard, and to close the door as quickly as possible. This may help you to manage in the short term, but over time, this just keeps the problem going: memories are jammed in the cupboard, and the door will still swing open at the lightest touch.
Trauma-focused therapy involves taking each item out of the cupboard, slowly and carefully examining them, before nearly folding them up and putting them back in their right place. Therapy is always paced according to readiness, ensuring safety and containment throughout.
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At The Lotus Psychology Practice, all of our Psychologists are trained across multiple therapeutic modalities, and the approaches are often integrated based on an individuals unique needs. All therapeutic interventions are informed by scientific research and are and in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.​ The most effective treatments for PTSD and C-PTSD include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). We are able to offer longer-term psychotherapy for individuals who may benefit.​
Trauma in Children & Young People
When a child experiences overwhelming or prolonged threat, their nervous system adapts in ways that support survival at the time, but may later present as emotional or behavioural difficulties. Trauma in children may result from single events, such as a car crash, or ongoing experiences such as neglect, abuse, domestic conflict, medical trauma, or unstable caregiving environments. Trauma in childhood can significantly influence emotional, behavioural, and relational development. Because children may not have the language to describe their internal experience, trauma is often expressed through behaviour rather than verbal communication.
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Common difficulties include:
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Emotional dysregulation (sudden distress, anger, or shutdown)
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Separation difficulties or heightened attachment needs
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Sleep disturbance or nightmares
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Regression in behaviour (such as bedwetting) or increased dependency
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Avoidance of reminders of distressing experiences
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Difficulties concentrating or engaging in school settings
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Behaviour that may be misunderstood as defiance or oppositionality
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Repetitive play with themes of trauma
These responses are best understood as adaptive survival strategies, not intentional behaviours.
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When to Seek Support
It may be helpful to seek support if you experience:​
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Interfering with sleep, concentration, or wellbeing
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Feelings difficult to manage alone
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Ongoing distress related to past experiences
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Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
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Avoidance of reminders of trauma
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Feeling constantly on edge or unsafe
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Difficulties with emotional regulation or relationships
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Affecting your daily functioning or relationships
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, you may benefit from psychological therapy. You can contact us for an initial consultation with one of our Psychologists. You do not need a diagnosis or referral to begin therapy.
Our Approach at The Lotus Psychology Practice
At The Lotus Psychology Practice, our team of HCPC registered Psychologists have specialist experience in supporting children, adolescents and adults experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. We take a collaborative, formulation-led approach to therapy, working with you to understand how your difficulties have developed and what is maintaining them. This guides a structured, evidence-based and personalised treatment plan.
Prior to your first appointment, you will be asked to complete standardised and validated questionnaire measures, which are used to inform the assessment. A comprehensive psychological assessment is completed across the first two sessions. This helps us to develop a shared understanding of your current difficulties.​ Following an assessment, you will receive a full report, which includes individualised recommendations and resources, as well as an agreed therapeutic plan and individual goals.
Based on the assessment, we will agree the most appropriate therapeutic approach, tailored to you. Psychologists are trained across multiple therapeutic modalities, and the approaches are integrated based on an individuals unique needs. All therapies at The Lotus Psychology Practice are informed by scientific research and are and in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
