Trauma and abuse can leave deep emotional wounds that affect how we see ourselves, our relationships, our goals, and our sense of self-worth. Childhood trauma, including any form of abuse, can have a lasting impact on emotional wellbeing and everyday life especially our relationship with others and ourselves.
We offer counselling for people of all genders who have experienced abuse or childhood trauma, providing a safe, supportive, and environment to begin healing.
Our counsellors have specialist training and a deep understanding of the impact trauma and abuse can have on us, relationships, and daily life. We work in a trauma-informed way, meaning our approach is safe, compassionate, and tailored to each person’s needs, progressing at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.
We also offer counselling to those who are supporting people who have experienced trauma and abuse – for example partners or friends.
As part of trauma counselling, we may also offer psychoeducation. While the term may sound complex, psychoeducation simply means receiving helpful information in a safe, supportive, and therapeutic setting, with space to reflect on and talk through what any topic we are looking at means for you. Research shows that understanding the effects of trauma and abuse can be a highly effective part of the healing process. Gaining insight into your experiences can help make sense of difficult feelings and responses, and many people find this both empowering and reassuring.
Our aim is to provide you with an opportunity and space to explore your past and the impact the abuse or trauma may have had on your life, choices and relationships and so enable you to find new ways of relating and looking at life
Perhaps you are feeling:
- Lonely from the past and unable to talk about it
- Strong feelings of shame
- Anger about what’s happened to you but not sure how to express it
- Struggling with trust in your relationships
- Feeling abandoned by your family
- Worried the past could be repeated
We can look at how the abuse or trauma affects our self image, our relationships and our life. We also look at ways out of negative cycles of behaviour and ideas for moving forward to gain better relationships and new hope for the future.
Ideas we may look at together could be:
- Information/psycho-education about how trauma/abuse impacts us
- Putting the shame back on the right person (s)
- Looking at Grounding and stabilising techniques
- Why it really is OK to be angry about this
- Processing the story – when you are ready to
- Rebuilding a stronger sense of self
- Finding ways into the future with confidence
The objective perhaps would be for you feel more stable and strong in yourself. To have processed some of your story (if you would like to). Also, to look at the future with feelings of empowerment and hope.
EMDR Therapy Option
We can also help you to process your trauma using “EMDR Therapy”. EMDR is a type of psychotherapy which is becoming increasingly popular and well known. It has been well-researched and, as a result, is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) and also used in the NHS for the treatment of different types of problems including Abuse and Trauma.
EMDR Works With Our Naturally Healing Processes
EMDR works with the body’s natural healing processes. The brain’s information processing system (Adaptive Information Processing AIP) naturally moves toward mental health. When we experience a difficult event in life our brain works to ‘process’ the difficult feelings so that we can resolve the situation in our mind. We have all had a difficult experience at some time that we have been able to get over. For instance, a brief unexpected illness eg appendicitis. At the time we may feel very distressed but most life events are naturally processed without the need for therapy. Our mind processes it and we feel fine again.
Processing Problems Arise When Events Are Too Confusing Or Distressing
The problems arise when the processing system of the brain is not able to process an event or situation. This is because the event is too confusing or too distressing and it’s as if our whole processing system has been overloaded. We may then have unprocessed memories of very sad or distressing events and these can produces negative thoughts emotions and behaviours. For example, when we are in a similar situation it can produce a strong triggering effect on us in terms of feelings and perhaps even flashbacks of the original situation. We also may have strong negative feelings about ourselves for example feeling “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve to be loved” as a result of unprocessed past memories.
EMDR Unblocks Difficult Memories So They Can Be Processed
EMDR is a way of unblocking the natural system of processing, so that it is no longer ‘frozen’ or blocked. It uses a procedure to help the brain start to re-process difficult or traumatic material. The technique used is called ‘bi-lateral stimulation’ because it aims to stimulate alternately each side of the brain (left/right). In sessions this is done either with eye movements or with some other bi-lateral stimulation, e.g. tapping the collarbone.
Once the block is removed, healing can resume. EMDR then triggers the natural healing processes. It’s a very mindful approach. This isn’t something that is being done to you, this is allowing you space to recall and process the memory. Also, it is not like you are being hypnotised and you can stop at any time you like. Additionally you aren’t taken out of the present – you have one foot in the present at all times and you are totally aware of the present. The memory is then processed which means that we still remember the event however, events similar are less triggering and any negative value statements attached to that memory for example “I am not a loveable person” are not nearly so strong.
Counselling around abuse and trauma can help you to:
- Understand how your past has impacted your present
- Feel more grounded and stable
- Process your story safely
- Be more free of shame that is not yours to carry
- Have a stronger sense of self and your value
- Consider being more open to trusting others and forming deeper relationships
- Gain a positive and hopeful attitude to your future
Please email rebecca@takeactioncounselling.co.uk with any questions and if you’d like to make an appointment.