Trauma & PTSD
Remembering without reliving, so you can move forward with greater freedom and stability.
Clinical Expertise
Working in complex trauma settings has allowed me to support individuals experiencing PTSD, complex PTSD, dissociation, developmental trauma, neglect, and co-occurring difficulties such as depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Alongside this, my work in inpatient and crisis settings (both civilian and military) has involved supporting people in acute distress, those with active psychosis, managing significant risk, and responding to emotional overwhelm.
These experiences have shaped me both professionally and personally. They have strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed care across all settings and have reinforced my belief in people’s resilience, even when it may feel out of reach. I remain committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure that the care I provide is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and grounded in empathy.
These experiences have shaped me both professionally and personally. They have strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed care across all settings and have reinforced my belief in people’s resilience, even when it may feel out of reach. I remain committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure that the care I provide is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and grounded in empathy.
My Professional Journey
I am deeply committed to supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. Early in my career, I developed a strong interest in how overwhelming experiences affect the nervous system, body, relationships, and sense of self, and how recovery is possible with the right support.
I have worked across specialist NHS trauma services, military veteran services, looked-after children services, inpatient units (civilian and military), and crisis teams across Hampshire and other UK counties. This has given me extensive experience supporting people with complex and acute trauma-related difficulties at highly vulnerable points in their lives.
My work includes supporting individuals with PTSD, complex PTSD, dissociation, developmental trauma, and co-occurring difficulties such as depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. In inpatient and crisis settings, I have also supported people in acute distress, including those experiencing psychosis, managing high levels of risk, and emotional overwhelm.
These experiences have strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed care and reinforced my belief in people’s resilience. I remain dedicated to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure my work is evidence- based, compassionate, and effective.
I have worked across specialist NHS trauma services, military veteran services, looked-after children services, inpatient units (civilian and military), and crisis teams across Hampshire and other UK counties. This has given me extensive experience supporting people with complex and acute trauma-related difficulties at highly vulnerable points in their lives.
My work includes supporting individuals with PTSD, complex PTSD, dissociation, developmental trauma, and co-occurring difficulties such as depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. In inpatient and crisis settings, I have also supported people in acute distress, including those experiencing psychosis, managing high levels of risk, and emotional overwhelm.
These experiences have strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed care and reinforced my belief in people’s resilience. I remain dedicated to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure my work is evidence- based, compassionate, and effective.
Treatment methods
I have undertaken specialist training in trauma-focused therapies, including Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). These approaches are grounded in strong clinical research and are recommended within national and international treatment guidelines for trauma-related difficulties.
My training includes both formal accredited programmes and ongoing supervision to ensure that my practice remains safe and up to date.
My training includes both formal accredited programmes and ongoing supervision to ensure that my practice remains safe and up to date.
TF-CBT supports individuals in understanding how traumatic experiences influence thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical responses. It provides structured tools to process traumatic memories, reduce avoidance, and build coping skills.
EMDR is a well-established therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they become less overwhelming and intrusive. Rather than requiring detailed verbal recounting, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to support the brain’s natural healing processes, leading to reductions in emotional intensity and physiological reactivity.
CFT is particularly helpful where trauma has led to shame, self-criticism, or feelings of worthlessness. CFT focuses on calming the threat system and strengthening the soothing system, helping individuals develop a kinder and more supportive internal voice.
Trauma vs. PTSD
Trauma and PTSD are closely related, but they are not the same. Trauma is the emotional and physiological response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, and its impact can be short-term or long-lasting. PTSD, on the other hand, is a diagnosable mental health condition that may develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD symptoms include intrusive experiences such as flashbacks or nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders of the event, and changes in mood, thoughts, or beliefs about oneself and the world.
It is important to understand that not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Many people recover naturally over time whereas others may experience ongoing trauma-related difficulties that do not meet the full criteria for PTSD but are still deeply impactful. These experiences are equally valid and require care and treatment.
It is important to understand that not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Many people recover naturally over time whereas others may experience ongoing trauma-related difficulties that do not meet the full criteria for PTSD but are still deeply impactful. These experiences are equally valid and require care and treatment.
The Body's Response
Both trauma and PTSD reflect the brain and body’s attempt to survive something overwhelming. When faced with threat, the nervous system activates survival responses such as freeze, fight or flight. These responses are adaptive in the moment and are designed to protect you. However, when the danger has passed but the nervous system remains stuck in survival mode, symptoms can persist.
Above all, whether or not a formal diagnosis applies, your experience matters. Trauma responses are the brain's normal way of coping with abnormal and/or overwhelming events which requires understanding, compassion, and effective support.
Above all, whether or not a formal diagnosis applies, your experience matters. Trauma responses are the brain's normal way of coping with abnormal and/or overwhelming events which requires understanding, compassion, and effective support.
Path to Recovery
Experiencing trauma or PTSD can feel intrusive and isolating, and many people struggle in silence. However, both are highly treatable. Therapy is not just about managing symptoms — it’s about meaningful healing and, for many, full recovery. With the right support,
symptoms can ease, triggers become less overwhelming, and a greater sense of stability
and confidence can return.
Recovery doesn’t mean forgetting what happened, but reducing its hold on your present. It means remembering without reliving, feeling without becoming overwhelmed, and responding rather than reacting.
My aim is not simply symptom reduction, but helping you rebuild safety, agency, and self-compassion to support your nervous system to process what was overwhelming so you can move forward with greater freedom and choice.
Recovery doesn’t mean forgetting what happened, but reducing its hold on your present. It means remembering without reliving, feeling without becoming overwhelmed, and responding rather than reacting.
My aim is not simply symptom reduction, but helping you rebuild safety, agency, and self-compassion to support your nervous system to process what was overwhelming so you can move forward with greater freedom and choice.
Clinical Background
I have always been deeply passionate and committed to supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. From early in my career, I was drawn to understanding how overwhelming experiences shape the nervous system, the body, relationships, and sense of self, and importantly, how healing and recovery are possible with the right support.
Throughout my career, I have worked across specialist NHS trauma services, dedicated military veteran services, looked-after children services, inpatient units (both civilian and military), and crisis teams within both Hampshire and other counties in the UK. These roles have given me extensive experience supporting people facing complex and acute trauma-related difficulties, often at some of the most challenging and vulnerable points in their lives.
Throughout my career, I have worked across specialist NHS trauma services, dedicated military veteran services, looked-after children services, inpatient units (both civilian and military), and crisis teams within both Hampshire and other counties in the UK. These roles have given me extensive experience supporting people facing complex and acute trauma-related difficulties, often at some of the most challenging and vulnerable points in their lives.
My approach:
I take a trauma-informed approach in all my work, recognising trauma’s impact and
prioritising safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. This means creating a
therapeutic space that feels predictable, respectful, and attuned rather than solely focusing on processing past events.
In practice, I integrate these evidence-based approaches in a way that is tailored to each individual. Therapy is collaborative and paced around what feels manageable for you, with no pressure to share more than you’re ready to.
In practice, I integrate these evidence-based approaches in a way that is tailored to each individual. Therapy is collaborative and paced around what feels manageable for you, with no pressure to share more than you’re ready to.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Starting therapy can feel daunting, but you don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Book a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions, see if we're a good fit, and take that first step toward feeling better.