Post-traumatic stress disorder

Some people who experience or witness a traumatic event go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During a traumatic experience, a person might feel intense fear, helplessness, anxiety or horror. These are normal reactions but in people who develop PTSD, these feelings recur long after the original traumatic event has passed.

An experience that is traumatic for one person may be less traumatic for another. Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD; research suggests about 30% do. The condition can occur at any age. Some people are more likely to develop PTSD. For example, the condition is more common in women than in men.

Experiences that may lead to PTSD include: 

  • war
  • terrorism
  • natural disasters
  • abuse
  • complications of childbirth
  • serious road accidents
  • witnessing a death.

In some people PTSD develops immediately after the trauma, while in others the symptoms first appear several months, or even years, after the traumatic experience.

Common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

People with PTSD typically experience:

  • recurring distressing memories
  • vivid flashbacks or images of the traumatic event
  • dreams and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic experience.
They may also describe:
  • avoiding anything that can trigger memories of the trauma
  • feeling emotionally numb
  • feeling detached from other people
  • difficulty expressing affection
  • pessimistic feelings about the future
  • problems sleeping 
  • poor focus on everyday tasks
  • feeling unsafe, even in places that felt safe before the traumatic event
  • increased general anxiety or hypervigilance
  • irritable or aggressive behaviour
  • problems trusting other people
  • depression.

Our clients have reported great results!

Mr K
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“I was attending sessions at One Therapy practice for about 1 1/2 years. I am very happy with the result, sessions there really helped me. I am really grateful to my therapist. Someone recommended him to me as a high professional and it proved right, thank you.”
Mrs M
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“I can only provide positive comments on my sessions with (my therapist). This was my first experience with a therapist, and she managed to make me feel comfortable. And I must say that the sessions were helpful and efficient.”
Mrs E
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“My therapist was extremely helpful, considerate and understanding. I felt she properly understood what the issues I had were, and their underlying causes, and I feel I benefited considerably from the sessions with her.”
Mrs N
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“I immediately felt completely at ease as they were very professional while showing genuine care and interest in helping me. I was able to confront many issues which I had so far chosen to ignore despite their negative effects on my personal relationships and happiness. I would have no hesitation in recommending (One Therapy) to anyone looking to improve their relationships and self-esteem.”
Mrs L
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“I learned a lot about myself and about the relationships I make with other people. I was able to see where I was going wrong and I now make better personal choices. Thank you, again.”
Mrs R
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“I can’t thank you enough for the help and support I got from my appointments. I would highly recommend therapy to anyone now. Therapy helped me in more ways than I could have imagined. Please tell (my therapist) how grateful I am for her help.”

Treatment options for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be effectively treated with talking therapy, sometimes accompanied by medication. It is important to work with a therapist experienced in trauma; many of our therapists have further training in this area. Some are also trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing), a type of therapy that has been shown to be particularly effective in some cases of PTSD.

In trauma therapy, we are careful to go at your pace. Rushing the process can make things worse, so we never push you to talk about anything before you are ready. Discussions in therapy are confidential, between you and your therapist.

Although your memories of the traumatic event will never disappear completely, with therapy they become less persistent and troublesome. Difficult emotions and other symptoms you are experiencing will reduce, leaving you better able to lead your life as you want to.

We know it can be daunting to start therapy, but our warm and empathic counsellors will put you at ease. The initial consultation is an opportunity for you to find out more and decide if you want to continue with therapy. There’s no pressure. If the counsellor you meet for your initial consultation doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, they will be happy to refer you to a colleague. 

To take the next step towards overcoming your PTSD, contact us or book online.

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Counselling for individuals

Personal counselling can be about anything that is on your mind.

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Couples counselling

Couples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.

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Our therapists

We have over 30 qualified and experienced therapists to choose from.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Therapist James Eve
James Eve

James is a psychosexual and relationship therapist who has been in private practice for five years He works with individuals and couples on sexual and relationship difficulties, understanding that these can be significant causes of distress in one's life Prior to working in private practice, James worked for the psychosexual team at Croydon University Hospital He is a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Roz Urquhart
Roz Urquhart

Roz is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, who offers both long- and short-term psychotherapy She works with a varied client group offering a welcoming, safe and confidential therapeutic space in which to help her clients explore and process the issues that are bringing them into therapy Roz supports her clients to focus on unconscious processes, inner conflicts and...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Natasha Maidment
Natasha Maidment

Natasha is a person–centred counsellor and psychotherapist who will provide you with a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space to explore any thoughts or concerns you wish to bring She works with a range of issues including anxiety, stress, critical thoughts, trauma, relationship issues, identity, depression, loss and low self-esteem Natasha offers a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Yussef is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or present personal difficulties and experiences Yussef works with issues such as anxiety, depression, loss,...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Stamatia draws on a broad range of theories of psychotherapy She works collaboratively with her clients to understand the causes of their concern and find ways to move forward Stamatia offers both short-term and longer-term therapy She has worked in various organisational settings with individuals seeking to address relationship issues, low self esteem, separation,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Amrita Athwal
Amrita Athwal

Amrita works with adults in an integrative way, drawing on various therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the needs of each client She provides a safe space to help clients better understand themselves She offers short term and long term therapy Amrita has experience of working with clients on issues such as trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Ben Brackenbury
Ben Brackenbury

Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also sensitive to how difficult it might be for a client to talk to a...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Barbara Perini
Barbara Perini

Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), a short-term (16 sessions), semi-structured individual therapy developed for mood...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring emotional patterns and further...

Soho

Therapist Janis Dellner
Janis Dellner

Janis offers an empathic, non-judgmental and safe environment where her clients can explore the issues that are currently troubling them  Janis works collaboratively to explore and challenge thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are no longer serving her clients’ wellbeing, interests and relationships with themselves and others  She believes it is through the...

Oxford Circus