What is Trauma?
Trauma isn’t just about what happened. It’s about how your nervous system responded — and how it’s still responding. Trauma can occur after acute events (such as an accident, surgery, or assault) or from long-term relational wounds, neglect, or emotional disconnection.
In therapy, we work gently with trauma by listening to the body’s messages. We don’t need to relive everything — we attend to what’s present, in the here and now.
Common Trauma Responses
Trauma can show up in the body, thoughts, emotions, and relationships. You might notice:
A constant sense of being on edge
Shutdown, numbness, or fatigue
Difficulties with trust or connection
Intrusive thoughts or nightmares
Chronic tension, pain, or digestive issues
Feeling stuck in certain life patterns
All of these are adaptive — your system learned how to survive. Now, we explore how to support it in coming out of survival.
A Somatic Approach to Trauma
Rather than analysing stories alone, somatic therapy invites us to work with how trauma lives in the body. This might involve:
Tracking sensations with curiosity and care
Building capacity for difficult feelings
Tuning into signs of safety and regulation
Gently unwinding stuck or defensive patterns
We go slowly. We stay in relationship. We follow what your system is ready for — not more, not less.
What Healing Might Look Like
Everyone’s journey is different, but clients often describe:
More ease in relationships
A sense of vitality returning to the body
Clarity about boundaries and needs
Greater emotional range and choice
Feeling more like themselves again
This work unfolds in layers. There is no rush.
Curious About Working Together?
If this resonates, you’re welcome to book a free 20-minute consultation. We can talk about what’s bringing you here, and see if this approach feels like a good fit.
Or explore more about how I work or couples therapy.
FAQs
What happens in a session?
Sessions begin with a simple check-in. We might explore what’s present in your body, your emotions, or your thoughts. I’ll offer questions, reflections, or somatic practices — all at your pace.
Do I have to talk about everything that’s happened?
No. Trauma work doesn’t require full disclosure. We stay in the present moment and work with what your system is ready to share or feel.
What does ‘somatic’ mean?
‘Somatic’ means body-based. It recognises that trauma affects not just the mind, but also the nervous system, tissues, and physiology. Somatic therapy includes awareness of sensation, posture, movement, and breath.
How long does trauma therapy take?
There’s no fixed timeline. Some people feel a shift in a few sessions; others work longer-term. You’re never locked into a plan — we go at your pace.
Is this work right for me?
If talk therapy hasn’t felt like enough… if you’re longing to feel more at home in yourself… if you sense your body holds something important — this work may be worth exploring.