Trauma psychotherapy Brighton and Lewes

What is trauma?

The word ‘trauma’ is one that has become commonplace in society.  And whilst it is helpful that there is an increased awareness of the impact of difficult events on people’s mental health, the word is often used out of context.

When people speak of trauma, they often refer to something shocking.  Something shocking can lead to trauma, but they are not the same thing.

Real trauma ‘lodges’ in the body.  It cannot be properly thought about and the accompanying emotions integrated into the psyche and soma (body).  Until it can be given shape and form through language and a therapeutic encounter, the traumatic experience is destined to be re-experienced or re-enacted.

In understanding trauma it is essential to differentiate between single incident trauma, known as PTSD – such as a car crash – and developmental trauma or relational trauma, as they are fundamentally different in nature and in treatment.

Single incident trauma, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Although there can be cross-over between single incident trauma, or PTSD, and more complicated developmental trauma, PTSD is generally used to describe a single or limited sequence of distressing experiences that have not been processed.

A good example of PTSD would be a car accident where there are interlinking sequences of events that keep being re-experienced after the event.  These could be the initial impact, the car spinning, secondary impacts, the emergency services arriving, being in the ambulance etc.  And the ‘symptoms’ can range from ‘flashbacks’ to ‘fight or flight’ responses out of context, all of which are very distressing.

Working with PTSD requires specialist trauma training and methods most frequently cited as being effective include EMDR, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance commitment therapy, compassion focused therapy as well as applications of clinical psychology.

Relational or developmental trauma

Relational trauma, as the name would suggest, occurs in relationship and crucially in a relationship where the recipient is still developing (hence the second term for this type of trauma).  This type of trauma has hugely significant implications for our relationship to self and others and is the cornerstone of open-ended or long-term psychotherapy.

Relational trauma affects our attachment style (ability to be in relationship to others), our ability to process and regulate our emotional states, and our sense of self: self-esteem and self-confidence.

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy we have a broad range of well-trained and experienced clinicians with the skill and experience to work with developmental trauma.  Effective methods include analytic psychotherapy, body psychotherapy, integrative psychotherapy and transactional analysis.

Why does it matter?

Working with trauma is careful and specialist work. There are plenty of counsellors who claim to understand trauma, but in fact are using the word in the general sense it is often used in daily life – to denote something difficult or shocking. This is not true trauma.

The risk of working with someone who does not understand the depths and impact of your trauma is that at best it is ineffective. At worst it becomes re-traumatising.

Don’t all therapists work with trauma?

Most counsellors and other applied psychologists talk about working with trauma.  It is important to ascertain what training they have had in relation to working with PTSD, and, in the case of relational or developmental trauma, how comprehensive and deep is their psychotherapy training?

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy we only work with associates who have significant clinical experience in their field. This ensures that we are able to maintain our reputation for excellence and is also why we chose to remain relatively small so that we ensure that each of our practitioners is known to us as a colleague and expert in their field.

If you are unsure of the type of therapy you need, you can search for a therapist here.

Common responses to trauma

When a traumatic event, or series of traumatic events, occurs, there are natural common responses that include a range of psychological, emotional, and physical reactions. This may include initial reactions like:

• Exhaustion
• Confusion
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Numbness
• Dissociation
• Confusion

There are also indicators of more severe responses, which may include:

• Continued distress without periods of relative calm
• Severe dissociation
• Intense and continuous intrusive recollections
• Persistent fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Nightmares
• Fear or recurrence
• Anxiety-focussed flashbacks
• Depression
• Emotional avoidance

Most survivors of trauma exhibit immediate reactions; however, these typically resolve without any long-term consequences.

When is trauma therapy used?

For some, the reactions of trauma don’t resolve, and they can manifest in emotional or psychological distress. Trauma therapy is therefore used to help people process the traumatic events, manage related symptoms, and develop coping mechanisms when facing triggers.

Trauma therapy is usually associated with conditions such as PTSD; however, it can also be hugely beneficial for a broader range of situations and symptoms, even if a diagnosis isn’t present.

Understanding post-traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. This can include many situations, including:

• War or combat exposure
• Physical or sexual assault
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Life-threatening medical diagnoses

Symptoms of PTSD can present in four different ways:

• Intrusive memories – flashbacks, nightmares, distressing thoughts, emotional or physical reactions to triggers.
• Avoidance – avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma or staying away from places or people.
• Negative changes in thinking – persistent negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, and memory problems.
• Changes in physical and emotional reactions – being easily startled, irritable, angry outbursts, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, self-destructive behaviour.

Post-traumatic stress happens because a traumatic (often dangerous) experience overwhelms the brain’s ability to process and recover in a healthy way. Instead of your brain returning to a ‘safe’ state, it stays stuck in the fight or flight (survival) response.

Benefits of trauma psychotherapy

Trauma therapy offers many benefits, including:

• Reduces PTSD symptoms
• Helps individuals manage overwhelming emotions of anger, guilt, shame, or fear
• Encourages healthier ways of expressing feelings
• Reframes unhelpful beliefs such as ‘it was my fault’ or ‘I am not safe’
• Teaches grounding techniques, mindfulness, and calming strategies
• Strengthens ability to handle stress and triggers
• Helps heal trust and attachment wounds from past experiences
• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety

What to expect with trauma psychotherapy

First sessions

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, our psychotherapists have been trained to work with different types of trauma to varying degrees of severity. In the early phase of trauma therapy, we work with you to establish trust and build an environment where you feel safe. We will explore what brings you to therapy, and how trauma may show up in your life, even if you aren’t aware of it. We begin by establishing safety in the relationship and in helping you to manage emotional intensity.

Ongoing sessions

Once we have established a strong foundation of trust, we gradually move towards helping you make sense of the experience at your own pace. This is explored bit by bit, and the therapist helps you to gently revisit memories or emotions associated with the trauma whilst staying connected to the present.

Our trauma psychotherapists

At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, all of our therapists are trained to deal with trauma. While there is no such thing as a ‘trauma therapist’ in our title, our team is comprised of highly trained clinicians who have the expertise and experience to work with different types of trauma.

Why choose Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy?

We understand that choosing a therapist to help you work through trauma is a deeply personal decision. That’s why we ensure all our clients feel safe, respected, and heard. Our therapists, who offer trauma therapy in Brighton and Lewes, are dedicated to ensuring a safe, supportive space for you to understand how trauma is affecting your mind, body, and relationships, and we can help you work through complex emotions and responses. Our practices are easily accessible in Brighton and Hove and Lewes, so contact us today to find out more about how we can help you.