{"id":1847,"date":"2023-08-05T17:00:43","date_gmt":"2023-08-05T17:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/?p=1847"},"modified":"2023-09-28T16:07:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T16:07:00","slug":"ptsd-therapy-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/ptsd-therapy-london\/","title":{"rendered":"PTSD Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-637022e8\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">PTSD Therapy London Guide<\/h1>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-1024x451.jpg\" alt=\"PTSD Therapy London\" class=\"wp-image-1848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-1024x451.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-768x338.jpg 768w, https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-1536x676.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/PTSD-therapy-2048x901.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c3d519d6\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is PTSD?<\/h2>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-41f8e118\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<p>PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition which you may have developed after experiencing or witnessing a highly traumatic event. This could be a threat to your life, a violent attack, sexual assault, sexual abuse, a car accident, or military combat. You can also experience PTSD from learning about the traumatic experience of a close friend or family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PTSD and <a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/uncategorized\/cptsd-therapy-london\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2290\">Complex PTSD<\/a> are difficult conditions to live as they can have a debilitating affect on your relationships, confidence and anxiety levels.  PTSD responds very well to psychotherapy, and can lead to a significant reduction in symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m a qualified and licensed psychotherapist, with a private practice in Central London. In this guide I&#8217;ll explain how I approach the treatment of trauma. I&#8217;ve also included an A to Z of trauma treatment available in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/work-with-me\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px\"><strong>Start therapy today<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Index:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#The-difference-between-trauma-and-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#The-difference-between-trauma-and-PTSD\">The difference between trauma and PTSD<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Symptoms-Associated-with-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Symptoms-Associated-with-PTSD\">Symptoms Associated with PTSD<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#PTSD-Therapy-London\">PTSD Therapy London: An Overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Learning-about-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Learning-about-PTSD\">Learning about PTSD<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#PTSD-and-your-Brain\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#PTSD-and-your-Brain\">PTSD and your Brain<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Fight-flight-freeze-fawn-and-flop-responses\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Fight-flight-freeze-fawn-and-flop-responses\">Fight, flight, freeze, fawn and flop<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Building-a-trusting-relationship-in-PTSD-therapy\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Building-a-trusting-relationship-in-PTSD-therapy\">Building a trusting relationship<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Relaxation-and-body-centred-exercises-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Relaxation-and-body-centred-exercises-for-PTSD\">Relaxation and body centred exercises<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Revisiting-the-trauma-in-imagination\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Revisiting-the-trauma-in-imagination\">Revisiting the trauma in imagination<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Reevaluating-thought-patterns\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Reevaluating-thought-patterns\">Reevaluating thought patterns<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Learning-and-growing-from-trauma\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Learning-and-growing-from-trauma\">Learning and growing from trauma<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#A-toZ-of-PTSD-Therapy-in-London\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#A-toZ-of-PTSD-Therapy-in-London\">A to Z of PTSD Therapy in London<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"The-difference-between-trauma-and-PTSD\">The difference between trauma and PTSD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people encounter a traumatic incident during their lifetimes, which results in a period of distress, possibly including disturbing memories, extreme alertness, irritability and sleep problems. The problems resolve naturally over time, resulting in a full recovery. But for some, especially if there were multiple traumas, or if they were particularly severe, the symptoms don&#8217;t resolve on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PTSD is a very real and common mental health problem, which can have a huge psychological impact on your life. PTSD has been well researched, and outcomes after therapy can be very good. If you&#8217;re in a position where you&#8217;re still exposed to trauma, I&#8217;ll show you some strategies to help protect yourself and build mental resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/trauma-therapy-london\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/trauma-therapy-london\/\"><strong>Read the full trauma guide here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Symptoms-Associated-with-PTSD\">Symptoms Associated with PTSD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a list of symptoms, some of which you might be experiencing if you&#8217;re suffering from PTSD:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Intrusive memories and flashbacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nightmares and disrupted sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoiding thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoiding people and places associated with the trauma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An underlying feeling of shame or guilt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling emotionally numb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling alienated from other people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memories of the trauma are fragmented or hazy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling inexplicably irritable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re hyper-vigilant, constantly on the look out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engaging in reckless behaviour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty with concentration and memory<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling anxious or getting panic attacks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/psychosomatic-therapy-london\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2133\">Unexplained physical symptoms<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-9fe37524\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"PTSD-Therapy-London\">PTSD Therapy London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s many specialised therapies developed for PTSD, each with their own angle and approach. I&#8217;ve made a guide to the various therapies available in London at the end of the article. As an integrative PTSD therapist, I use a flexible approach, drawing upon whatever approach is needed to tailor the therapy towards the individual needs of the client. There&#8217;s several areas that are covered in PTSD therapy which we can explore below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Learning-about-PTSD\">Learning about PTSD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During the PTSD therapy sessions, &#8216;psycho-education&#8217; is one of the most important factors. I&#8217;ll explain to you how the traumatic events you&#8217;ve experienced are related to the PTSD symptoms you&#8217;re currently experiencing. You&#8217;ll see how memories can become fixed in the mind, and as patterns of tension in the body. I&#8217;ll show you body centred techniques to stay centred and grounded, and psychological methods to manage stress and triggers. If you&#8217;re still in an environment where you&#8217;re exposed to trauma, I can help with practical ways to create distance and put boundaries in place.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a3fc6d17\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"PTSD-and-your-Brain\">PTSD and your Brain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Through neuroimaging, scientists have been able to detect biological changes in the brains of people with PTSD. The changes are different for everyone, but there are some interesting patterns that have been observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-0f3c105a\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1757\" height=\"1413\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-0f3c105a\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/trauma-brain.gif\" alt=\"PTSD therapy London - how PTSD affects the brain\" title=\"trauma-brain\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Amygdala \u2013 alerting you to danger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The amygdala as a part of your brain which serves as a mechanism to alert you to innate danger. When an unsettling incident occurs, the amygdala generates a signal which provokes a fear response. This is helpful for letting you know that it&#8217;s time to move away from a threat, to place of safety. However, if you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), this response tends to be hyperactive, and can quickly lead to a sense of panic, beyond the influence of rational thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Prefrontal Cortex \u2013 emotional regulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The prefrontal cortex, positioned behind your forehead, plays a significant role in processing thinking, planning and inhibiting. It&#8217;s responsible for assessing the threat from the amygdala, and considering whether the threat is in fact harmless, or that you are now out of danger. However, if you are suffering from PTSD, the prefrontal cortex doesn&#8217;t function as efficiently as it should. This can leave you with intense feelings of fear, without the ability to distinguish between real or imaginary threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hippocampus &#8211; memory and learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Other experiences associated with PTSD, such as unexpected intrusive feelings, or a constant vigilance, appear to be tied to a part of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a part of the brain which is related to memory problems and anxiety disorders. Changes in the hippocampus can result in problems with flashbacks, memory processing and learning, making it difficult to accurately recall and interpret traumatic events.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-924b0c86\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Fight-flight-freeze-fawn-and-flop-responses\">Fight, flight, freeze, fawn and flop responses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have heard of the fight or flight response, where you (or another animal) are faced with danger, and the body rapidly prepares to either fight or take flight. The amygdala is activated and triggers a cocktail of stress hormones which result in high blood pressure, faster heart rate, and an increased oxygen intake. There&#8217;s also other, less well known responses that the body\/brain can automatically take, called Freeze, Flop and Fawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fight Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-fa0af228\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-2c9bef55\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-2c9bef55\">\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-54177fb1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"819\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-54177fb1\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fight-response.gif\" alt=\"Fight response for PTSD therapy London\" title=\"fight-response\"\/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-61edbfc5 gb-headline-text\">Fight response<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-e76ed5f6\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e76ed5f6\">\n\n<p>The fight response would have originally been optimal for defending yourself against attack from another animal. A selection of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline are rapidly released into the body, preparing you to fight for your life.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While physical attacks aren&#8217;t an everyday threat in London, or other civilised cultures, other incidents, such as bullying, arguments or road rage can trigger the fight response. In these situations you might find yourself trembling with adrenaline, feeling ready to hit someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Flight Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-2055d8d0\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-110cedfc\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-110cedfc\">\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-bef22f7b\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2048\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-bef22f7b\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/flight-response.gif\" alt=\"flight response for PTSD therapy London\" title=\"flight response\"\/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-64eef529 gb-headline-text\">Flight response<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-c3f1f0cc\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c3f1f0cc\">\n\n<p>In the flight response, the same stress hormones are released, but instead of staying to fight, you use the extra energy and adrenaline to flee from the situation.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>An example of this might be if you were walking along a deserted street late at night, and were approached by a gang who wanted to rob you. Even if you were a trained fighter, your instinct would probably to run as fast as you can, until you reached a place of safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fawn Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-8be43ef7\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-8ee34d3f\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-8ee34d3f\">\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-930d673e\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"819\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-930d673e\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fawn.gif\" alt=\"fawn response for PTSD therapy London\" title=\"fawn\"\/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-24e04d46 gb-headline-text\">Fawn response<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b09264e4\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b09264e4\">\n\n<p>It&#8217;s also possible that in the previous street scenario, you might instead choose to do everything the gang tells you to do to preserve your safety. This would be taking a position of submission, called the Fawn response.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It might be a position you&#8217;ve adopted after several attempts to fight or flee from a partner or <a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/counselling-for-childhood-trauma-london\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2022\">childhood abuse <\/a>situation. People trapped in the faun response can be overly friendly, determined to please others whatever the costs to themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Freeze Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-4bae7b1e\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-ee00a4a5\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ee00a4a5\">\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-42286d72\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"992\" height=\"992\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-42286d72\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/freeze-response.gif\" alt=\"freeze response for PTSD therapy London\" title=\"freeze response\"\/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-d97cbf98 gb-headline-text\">Freeze response<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-a1d15926\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a1d15926\">\n\n<p>Sometimes, in a traumatic situation, you body will react with a freeze response. During a freeze response you&#8217;ll be paralysed with fear, unable to think clearly or move. There might be an emotional numbness and a degree of disassociation, where you feel like you&#8217;re not fully there.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To an outsider, you might seem to have a blank stare, appearing spaced out and disinterested. An example of the freezes response is when a rabbit gets caught in the glare of a car&#8217;s headlights. It becomes immobilised, unable to make an escape due to the overwhelming fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re stuck in a long term freeze response, you won&#8217;t be able to access your natural spontaneity and expression. There is often a correlating tension, and &#8216;internal gripping&#8217; in the musculature of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Flop Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-e02b7cc7\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-4f1aa539\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-4f1aa539\">\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-cc1cfddc\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"819\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-cc1cfddc\" src=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/flop-response.gif\" alt=\"flop response for PTSD therapy London\" title=\"flop response\"\/>\n<figcaption class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-73a6726e gb-headline-text\">Flop response<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-cbbcda61\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-cbbcda61\">\n\n<p>You may become so overwhelmed by fear during a traumatic episode, that you loose control over your body and faint. This is an animalistic survival mechanism similar to one animal &#8216;playing dead&#8217; in response to a predator when there&#8217;s no chance of escape or fighting.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:110px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-cfd2be0b\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Building-a-trusting-relationship-in-PTSD-therapy\">Building a trusting relationship in PTSD counselling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start PTSD therapy, we begin with a period of time where we build a relationship of trust and safety. It&#8217;s important to me that you know you&#8217;re in a non-judgemental environment, with an empathic listener, who is able to fully listen yo what you have to say. There will be times where you&#8217;ll be reliving aspects of the trauma, and strong emotions of sadness and anger often come up as part of the healing process.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-6c40ff61\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Relaxation-and-body-centred-exercises-for-PTSD\">Relaxation and body centred exercises for PTSD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Relaxation techniques can be extremely valuable for anyone with PTSD. You can learn how to become grounded and centred within challenging situations by learning to recognise when you become overly tense or find yourself breathing too fast. You&#8217;ll be able to consciously relax, so that your breathing becomes slower, and your mind stays calm and centred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll begin to see that feelings are both mental, and physical. Every emotion has a corresponding sensation in the body which can be under your level of awareness until you&#8217;re trained to spot them. For instance, have you noticed the sensation of heat in the body when you get angry? It&#8217;s no coincidence that an angry person is often referred to as &#8216;hot under the collar&#8217; or &#8216;boiling over&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you gain mastery over these methods, you can begin exploring mildly challenging situations, and practice &#8216;not reacting&#8217;, and staying in the here and now. This can help if your emotions tend to quickly escalate into extreme fear or anger, or if you tend to disassociate, and become disconnected with how you feel.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-f06d444c\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Revisiting-the-trauma-in-imagination\">Revisiting the trauma in imagination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At some point in PTSD therapy, only when you&#8217;re fully comfortable and prepared, it can be valuable to revisit the trauma in your imagination. In what&#8217;s called &#8216;imaginal exposure&#8217;, we start with relaxing the body, so you feel comfortable, grounded and centred. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll slowly begin to revisit the traumatic incident, beginning with the time before and ending with the circumstances after the event. We&#8217;ll acknowledge the emotions, physical sensations, thoughts and sensory memories that come up for you during this process. I&#8217;ll also help you to keep a connection with the &#8216;here and now&#8217;, so you&#8217;ll be able to distinguish the difference between feelings from the memory of trauma, and your current feelings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, you&#8217;ll begin to get a sense that the disturbing emotions and physiological responses left over from a trauma, can be witnessed in the present without overwhelming you. The person who you may have negatively perceived yourself to be then is not the same person you are now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll then spend some time talking about what it was like to revisit the trauma. We&#8217;ll explore any emotions that may have come up, such as anxiety, fear, shame, anger or guilt. There may also be more positive emotions, such as the gratitude towards someone&#8217;s kindness, which will also be acknowledged and explored.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-51020713\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Reevaluating-thought-patterns\">Reevaluating thought patterns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We can look at thoughts that you may have had, such as \u201ceveryone is waiting for an opportunity to attack me\u201d, or \u201cI am a worthless person with nothing to offer\u201d. Negative thoughts such as these prolong behaviours of avoiding the situation in which they are feared to arise. During PTSD counselling, we can examine the validity of those thought patterns and beliefs, and where appropriate look at alternative, more realistic ways of thinking about yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s common for people with PTSD to habitually look out for threats (hypervigilance) or excessively go over the same thoughts (rumination). You might take extreme precautions, or avoid some situations altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes you might be unsure of how to behave in certain social situations, and feel considerable social anxiety. This could be from having formed bad habits in the past, or never having had the opportunity to learn. We can look at healthy ways of relating to people in situations you find challenging, so you can feel at ease and form fruitful relationships. These new thoughts and behaviours can be tested in situations that you find just mildly uncomfortable as a way to build up your confidence and resilience.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-5fe54f92\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Learning-and-growing-from-trauma\">Learning and growing from trauma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Through trauma counselling, every trauma has the potential for transforming into an opportunity for profound healing and growth. The experience of being in the world without the burden of fear or unstable emotions is a great relief. It can lead to a great sense of empowerment and optimism, as you begin to interact with others more, and start embracing the life you really want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making the decision to enter PTSD therapy, and taking the time to focus on your problems, is a positive investment in your mental health and well-being. d of restricting it to the decrease of fear.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7e8b5ae7\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/work-with-me\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px\"><strong>Book an initial consultation<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-base-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-base-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-5e708739\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"A-toZ-of-PTSD-Therapy-in-London\">A toZ of PTSD Therapy in London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been many therapies developed for the treatment of PTSD, each with its own approach. For instance, one might emphasise gradual re-exposure to the trauma and learning new responses (exposure-based). Another will challenge thought patterns (cognitive-based), and another might work primarily with the body (somatic-based). But in practice there are many overlaps, and therapists often combine elements from several approaches to suit the client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Index:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Accelerated-resolution-therapy-for-trauma\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Accelerated-resolution-therapy-for-trauma\">Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEPP)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Cognitive-Processing-Therapy-for-PTSD-(CPT)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Cognitive-Processing-Therapy-for-PTSD-(CPT)\">Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Cognitive-Therapy-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Cognitive-Therapy-for-PTSD\">Cognitive Therapy for PTSD<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Eye-Movement-Desensitisation-and-Reprocessing-for-PTSD-(EMDR)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Eye-Movement-Desensitisation-and-Reprocessing-for-PTSD-(EMDR)\">Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Narrative-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(NET)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Narrative-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(NET)\">Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Prolonged-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(PET)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Prolonged-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(PET)\">Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Sensorimotor-Psychotherapy-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Sensorimotor-Psychotherapy-for-PTSD\">Sensorimotor Psychotherapy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#(STAIR)-Narrative-Therapy-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#(STAIR)-Narrative-Therapy-for-PTSD\">(STAIR) Narrative Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Stress-Inoculation-Training-for-PTSD-(SIT)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Stress-Inoculation-Training-for-PTSD-(SIT)\">Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Somatic-Experiencing-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Somatic-Experiencing-for-PTSD\">Somatic Experiencing (SE)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Somatic-Trauma-Therapy-for-PTSD-(STT)\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Somatic-Trauma-Therapy-for-PTSD-(STT)\">Somatic Trauma Therapy (STT)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-3334e3ff\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Accelerated-resolution-therapy-for-trauma\">Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD begins with psychoeducation \u2013 talking to you about PTSD, how it has led to your symptoms, and what the treatment is likely to entail. Over the following weeks, you&#8217;ll be invited to share a detailed account of the traumatic incident as if it&#8217;s occurring in the present moment. You&#8217;ll be supported by your therapist through any distressing emotions and memories that surface. You&#8217;ll also be asked to start writing a letter to the person who caused the trauma, as a way of expressing emotions \u2013 it won&#8217;t be sent to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After six weeks, you and your therapist will evaluate the progress of your treatment, and the therapy might be adjusted accordingly if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the final sessions, the focus shifts to understanding the personal impact of the traumatic event and what you have learnt from it. You&#8217;ll explore how the trauma has altered your self-perception and worldview. The therapy ends with a review, and the formulation of a relapse prevention strategy. A farewell ritual is often conducted, where the patient acknowledges the transition from a life dominated by trauma and PTSD symptoms to a brighter, more optimistic future.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-58760d80\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Cognitive-Processing-Therapy-for-PTSD-(CPT)\">Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a therapeutic approach with an emphasis on targeting unhelpful thinking patterns that can sustain PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the outset of therapy, you&#8217;ll be asked to read out aloud a detailed statement about how the traumatic event has affected your beliefs about yourself, others, and the world around you. You&#8217;ll then analyse the statement with your therapist, who&#8217;ll look for, and gently challenge any unconstructive thinking patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As therapy progresses, you&#8217;ll work with your therapist to create more constructive and accurate ways of thinking. The final stages are devoted to addressing the areas of your life that might be affected by trauma, such as safety, trust, power\/control, esteem, and intimacy. The treatment concludes with your re-writing the impact statement, so you can evaluate the progress made through the treatment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d26b18a2\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Cognitive-Therapy-for-PTSD\">Cognitive Therapy for PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Cognitive Therapy for PTSD consists of five treatment phases. The first step will involve you working with the therapist to develop a personalized therapy plan, which will act as a roadmap of sorts for the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the second step, you&#8217;ll revisit the most distressing moments of your trauma. Your therapist will help you find new, less threatening interpretations for these memories. And these new interpretations will be connected with the traumatic memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the third step, you&#8217;ll learn to recognize the (often hidden) trauma triggers, and understand the difference between the past trauma and your current safety. The fourth step involves letting go of behaviours and thought processes that aren&#8217;t serving you anymore. This can include overthinking, being overly alert for danger signals, suppressing thoughts, and taking unnecessary safety precautions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the final step, you&#8217;ll be to encouraged to build or resume activities and social connections which help you to reclaim their life.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-1c8d96a6\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Eye-Movement-Desensitisation-and-Reprocessing-for-PTSD-(EMDR)\">Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing for PTSD (EMDR)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy which hypothesise that the unprocessed memories of traumatic events can become stored in episodic memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EMDR begins by teaching patients strategies for dealing with negative emotions. The length of this phase varies depending on the individual&#8217;s ability. You&#8217;ll create a list of traumatic experiences, any related distorted beliefs, such as \u201cI&#8217;m unable to be creative\u201d as well as desirable alternative thoughts, such as \u201cI am a creative person\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the processing phase, you&#8217;ll initially concentrate on an image from the trauma, along with a negative belief, and any associated body sensations. There will be short exposure episodes, combined with side to side (bilateral) eye movements, as you follow your therapist&#8217;s finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll report any new thoughts, emotions, sensations, or memories that arise to your therapist. Later on, you&#8217;ll practice bringing the image of the trauma to mind, along with the desired thought (\u201cI am a creative person\u201d).<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-14613bae\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Narrative-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(NET)\">Narrative Exposure Therapy for PTSD (NET) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) involves you creating a chronological account of your life journey. The therapy emphasises your most intense emotional experiences, but you&#8217;ll also be asked to revisit more uplifting memories, perhaps a time when you received support from someone, or when you accomplished something significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The therapist should be empathetic, listening carefully and attentively with an attitude of unconditional acceptance. As you discuss your traumatic experiences, they&#8217;ll help you connect to sensory memories, thought processes, emotional reactions, and physiological responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As your story unfolds, and you revisit your traumatic experiences, your therapist will help you embrace all the associated emotional responses, while staying anchored in the present moment. You&#8217;ll be reminded that the current feelings and physiological reactions are a result of memories which are currently resurfacing. These feelings and reactions are then tied to their autobiographical setting, at the time and place of the event.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-860e5b6a\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Prolonged-Exposure-Therapy-for-PTSD-(PET)\">Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD (PET)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), you&#8217;ll first be shown a breathing exercise to help you relax. Then your therapist will teach you about the psychology of PTSD, and how PTSD symptoms develop, and can become prolonged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over a period of therapy sessions, you&#8217;ll be encouraged to revisit the trauma, recounting the details out aloud to your therapist (imaginal exposure). You&#8217;ll then talk about the experience of recounting your trauma, including any emotions that came up, and changes that took place. You&#8217;ll look at a range of emotions, including fear, shame, anger and guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the therapy, you&#8217;ll be encouraged to expose yourself to situations which you find mildly traumatic (vivo exposure). This is to counteract a tendency to avoid certain stressful situations, which only reinforce untested negative thought patterns.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-0a0a1127\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Sensorimotor-Psychotherapy-for-PTSD\">Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a bodywork therapy which draws from neuroscientific research, similar to <a href=\"#Somatic-Experiencing-for-PTSD\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#Somatic-Experiencing-for-PTSD\">Somatic Experiencing<\/a>. The therapy distinguishes between two sorts of trauma &#8211; developmental injury (from dysfunctional families), and traumatic injury (from life-threatening experiences).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The therapy evolves over a slow and gentle pace, so an atmosphere of trust and safety can develop between you and your therapist. Your therapist will help you to explore your defences, working primarily with sensations and experiences in the body.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a7e13c11\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"(STAIR)-Narrative-Therapy-for-PTSD\">(STAIR) Narrative Therapy for PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) Narrative Therapy is for anyone struggling with emotion and relationship management due to traumatic experiences. The main objective is to both mitigate the effects of PTSD and help you with emotional regulation and social interactions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following traumatic events, you can find that your emotional responses can become either heightened or entirely suppressed. Relationships can become plagued with conflict, misunderstandings, and hostility. Its not uncommon for those recovering from PTSD to notice that their social connections become harder to maintain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>STAIR was designed for individuals with a history of childhood trauma, and is particularly beneficial for those who have experienced chronic trauma, such as sexual or physical abuse, and as a result, are struggling with emotional regulation and social skills.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-2fb557ca\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Stress-Inoculation-Training-for-PTSD-(SIT)\">Stress Inoculation Training for PTSD (SIT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Stress Inoculation Training helps with PTSD and anxiety, when you&#8217;re feeling inadequately prepared to cope with the demand of a challenging situation. It&#8217;s designed to help you gain control over your anxiety by utilising a range of anti- anxiety strategies. These can be body centred interventions, such as muscle relaxation and breathing techniques, and cognitive strategies, such as inhibiting or reassessing negative thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the use of role play and other teaching methods, you&#8217;ll work with your therapist to stay calm in increasingly challenging situations. Eventually, you&#8217;ll test the strategies in the outside world, starting with a situation which only causes mild anxiety. You&#8217;ll be able to build your skills, until you&#8217;re theoretically &#8216;inoculated&#8217; against any future anxiety-provoking scenario.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-14d0d56a\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Somatic-Experiencing-for-PTSD\">Somatic Experiencing for PTSD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Somatic Experiencing, developed by Peter Levine, draws from neuroscience, and the study of how animals recover from stress. He observed that after animals encounter traumatic events, such as an attack from another animal, they go through a brief process of shaking to release the trauma. He believes that we hold blocked emotions in our bodies, but are unable to go through the natural process of releasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Somatic Experiencing session, while you think of the trauma, your therapist will watch for signs of anxiety in your subtle body movements and breathing. Bit by bit, they&#8217;ll help you to discharge the trauma which has been trapped in your nervous system.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-6a828a4a\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Somatic-Trauma-Therapy-for-PTSD-(STT)\">Somatic Trauma Therapy for PTSD (STT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Trauma Therapy (STT)works at a slower pace, in order to foster an atmosphere of safety. There&#8217;s an emphasis on the your relationship with the therapist, as you work on becoming more aware of your body to stay grounded in the &#8216;here and now&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-37536883\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-much-is-therapy-in-London?\">How much is PTSD therapy in London?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of trauma therapy in London typically ranges from \u00a365 &#8211; \u00a3250 for private therapy, psychotherapy, counselling or another specialised therapy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re working, check with your employer to see if they have an in house counsellor, or whether they reimburse therapy costs.  If you&#8217;re a student, universities and colleges in London and the UK will always have a counselling department you can get in touch with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a low wage, there&#8217;s charities and organisations you can get in touch with, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.havoca.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/ptsdresolution.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PTSD Resolution<\/a>.  If you have insurance, or you&#8217;re looking for private PTSD therapy, there are a host of therapeutic services throughout London at various price points.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c1c17a67\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"NHS-Therapy-London\">NHS PTSD Therapy London<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The NHS offers a range of free mental health services, including short term counselling and CBT for trauma. You don&#8217;t need a referral from a GP \u2013 you can access NHS Talking Therapies directly<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments\/talking-therapies-and-counselling\/nhs-talking-therapies\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments\/talking-therapies-and-counselling\/nhs-talking-therapies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll normally be offered 6 or 8 weekly sessions, depending on which borough you live in. This can be good for short term PTSD treatment, and your counsellor might be able to suggest longer term therapies available to you through local charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a more complex mental health condition, it&#8217;s best to speak to your GP first who can arrange specialist care and medication if needed.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-1745de4e\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion &#8211; getting help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you believe you&#8217;re suffering from PTSD or complex trauma, and would like to work with a trauma specialist, book an <a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/work-with-me\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"478\">initial consultation<\/a> today to start your journey towards a more spontaneous and fulfilling life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I offer <a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/private-therapy-london\/\">private therapy<\/a> in Central London, and take a <a href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london-guide\/person-centred-therapy\/\">person-centred approach<\/a>, meaning that I&#8217;m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate with you on your healing journey. If you feel apprehensive about your initial consultation, there&#8217;s nothing to worry about.  You don&#8217;t have to prepare &#8211; just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-3aca8230\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/work-with-me\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px\"><strong>Start therapy now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PTSD Therapy London Guide What is PTSD? PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition which you may have developed after experiencing or witnessing a highly traumatic event. This could be a threat to your life, a violent attack, sexual assault, sexual abuse, a car accident, or military combat. You can also experience &#8230; <a title=\"PTSD Therapy\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/counselling-therapy-london\/ptsd-therapy-london\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about PTSD Therapy\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1847"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2552,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1847\/revisions\/2552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intherapy.london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}