Trauma Therapy (EMDR)
A psychological trauma can occur when we experience events that are so overwhelming it affects our ability to cope or make sense of what happened.
Examples of traumatic events include:
• Loss and grief.
• Physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
• Domestic violence
• Neglect.
• Natural or man-made disasters.
• Being taken hostage.
• Terrorist attacks.
• Bullying.
Psychological support can be very effective in helping people with PTSD. There are different types of therapies available including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (tf-CBT).
You should visit your GP if traumatic symptoms continue, and discuss possible therapies with them. EMDR and trauma-focused CBT may be available via the NHS, although sometimes there is a long wait.
Everyone has different ways of responding to events. Although most people feel some distress after experiencing a traumatic event, for most this distress will improve over time. However, in some cases the distress can be longer lasting and continue for months or even years after the event. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the name given to describe these symptoms.
Some key symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks, bad dreams and frightening thoughts, avoidance symptoms such as trying to avoid the place where the event happened, trying to avoid thinking about the event, and arousal symptoms such as feeling tense or ‘on edge’ or having angry outbursts. Children and young people may be unusually clingy.
If you are interested in accessing EMDR, please contact us.
EMDR can be provided in person in North Norfolk, or online via Microsoft Teams. I qualified as an EMDR therapist in 2017 and am experienced in working with children, young people and adults.