Trauma & PTSD Counselling

You don’t have to carry this alone

Trauma changes how the nervous system relates to the world. Even when the event is long past, the body and mind can remain organised around it, alert, braced, protective. This isn’t a flaw; it’s how humans are built. But it’s also why trauma doesn’t simply fade with time, and why “just try not to think about it” never works.

Good trauma therapy isn’t about forcing you to revisit what happened. It’s about helping you feel safe enough, in your body, in your mind, in your life, to let the past become past.

Trauma-informed, pace-respecting

Every Mind Healing Counselling counsellor is trained in trauma-informed practice. What this means in real terms:

You set the pace. We never push disclosure. Some clients want to talk about specific events; some never do. Both paths lead to healing.

Stabilisation first. Before any processing work, we build your capacity to regulate: grounding techniques, safe-space work, practical tools to manage activation. You need to feel stable before you can safely process anything difficult.

Your story stays your story. You decide what to share, what to explore, and when. Your therapist’s role is to create the conditions for healing, not to extract a narrative.

Body and mind together. Trauma lives in the body. Our work includes somatic awareness (understanding what your nervous system is doing) alongside the more familiar talking therapy.

Our 12-week framework for trauma work

Our structured Trauma Healing Programme (PTSD) follows a four-phase approach:

1. Stabilisation (weeks 1-3): grounding, safety, nervous system regulation
2. Assessment & formulation (weeks 4-6): understanding patterns, building the therapeutic alliance
3. Intervention (weeks 7-9): processing work using trauma-focused CBT and integrative approaches
4. Consolidation (weeks 10-12): relapse prevention, building sustainable wellbeing

Twelve weeks is a starting framework, not a limit. Many clients benefit from longer-term work, particularly for complex or developmental trauma.

Complex trauma and multiple events

If your difficulties come from prolonged or repeated trauma (childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, repeated loss, long-term fear), this is complex trauma, and it needs a different, slower approach than single-incident PTSD. Our counsellors have specific training and experience in this area.

A note about safety

If you’re in immediate crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to Samaritans (116 123) or Pieta House (1800 247 247) now, or attend your nearest A&E department. Therapy is not a crisis service. Once you’re safe, we’re here when you’re ready.