Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Counselling

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition which can develop after a person has been involved in, or witnessed, a traumatic event.

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 continue long after the original traumatic event has passed.

An experience that is traumatic for one person may be less traumatic for another and not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. Research suggests that about 30% of people who experience trauma will develop PTSD. 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.

Many types of experiences may lead to PTSD including experiencing war, terrorism or natural disasters, being the victim of crime, being the victim of rape, experiencing childhood physical or sexual abuse, witnessing the death of another person or witnessing a serious road accident.

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

Some common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

People with PTSD will often describe recurring distressing memories, vivid flashbacks or images of the traumatic event, or dreams and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic experience. Other symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Attempts to avoid thoughts, places, people, activities or anything which may trigger memories of the trauma
  • A sense of feeling emotionally numb or feeling detached from other people
  • Difficulties expressing affection
  • Pessimistic feelings about the future and difficulties planning for the future
  • Problems sleeping and persistent distressing thoughts at night
  • Difficulties concentrating or focusing on everyday tasks
  • A sense of feeling unsafe, even in places that felt safe before the traumatic event
  • Increased general anxiety / extreme alertness
  • Irritable or aggressive behaviour
  • Problems trusting other people
  • Depression

Client Testimonials

Treatment options for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

There are treatments available for those suffering from PTSD. Options for treatment include antidepressant medication, EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing)  and other types of talking therapy. Following therapy, many people have found that the memories of the traumatic event do not upset them as much as before.

Speaking with a therapist can help immensely when trying to overcome the persistent, difficult feelings and anxieties that often follow a traumatic experience. Discussions in therapy are confidential, between you and your therapist.

Take the first step towards reducing panic and stress in your life. Let one of our trauma therapists try to help.

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Individual counselling

Personal counselling can be about anything that’s 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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Therapists in London

Finding the right therapist is an important first step.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Therapist Asma Gharbi
Asma Gharbi

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Couples and Relationship Therapist Counselling Psychologist Asma offers psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative therapies to individuals and couples She tailors her approach to meet the needs and preferences of her clients She offers short and long term therapy Asma provides a non-judgemental space for her clients, where they...

Oxford Circus

Kensington

Therapist Marta Pisarri
Marta Pisarri

Consultant Integrative Psychotherapist Visiting lecturer at Regent's University Diploma in Somatic Trauma Therapy Advance Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc in Clinical Psychology Marta is a psychologist and an integrative psychotherapist: she has been working in the field of mental health for over 12 years in both private...

Soho

Kensington

Therapist Barbara Perini
Barbara Perini

Consultant Therapist MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy DIT - Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy BSc in Clinical Psychology 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...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Yussef Ferguson
Yussef Ferguson

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy BA (Hons) Social Work 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...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Magda Piesiewicz
Magda Piesiewicz

Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist MSc in Psychology Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Sexology Magda helps couples and individuals who are facing psychosexual and relationship struggles She also specialises in compulsive sexual behaviours (often misunderstood as sex addiction) She aims to create a non-judgmental, supportive space where her clients can be open...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Ben Brackenbury
Ben Brackenbury

Consultant Therapist Head of Therapy Training Programmes 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...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Geraldine Lothian
Geraldine Lothian

Consultant Therapist Geraldine (she/her) is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who works with individuals Geraldine’s style of therapy is to work collaboratively with her clients and at each client’s pace  It is sometimes difficult to make the decision to start therapy but Geraldine works together with her clients to address any issues that may feel difficult to...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

Senior Consultant Therapist 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,...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Rhiannon Whipps
Rhiannon Whipps

Consultant Therapist Rhiannon is a psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist with over ten years experience of working within the field of mental health Rhiannon provides an empathic and non-judgemental therapeutic space for her clients to explore any difficulties which they may be facing Within the safety of a confidential environment, she encourages her clients...

Oxford Circus

Soho

Therapist Patricia Connolly
Patricia Connolly

Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Patricia works within a psychodynamic approach This focuses on early life experience and  relationships to help you understand how they shape who you are in the present When you begin to more fully explore your emotions and attitudes you can find a deeper self–knowledge, which can also transform the way you relate to...

Soho