Trauma Therapy at London Psychiatry Clinic

What Is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is a structured and supportive approach to help you process overwhelming or distressing experiences. It aims to reduce the emotional and physical impact of trauma and rebuild a sense of safety and control.

Our trauma specialists may use a combination of approaches such as trauma-focused CBT, EMDR therapy (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing), and trauma counselling to support your recovery.

Do I Need Trauma Therapy?

It’s natural to be affected after a traumatic experience. For some, this may ease with time, but for others, trauma symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years. If the impact of trauma continues to affect your daily life, therapy may provide the support and tools you need to begin healing.

You might benefit from trauma treatment if you experience:

• Flashbacks or nightmares about past events
  
  
• Avoidance of reminders or places linked to trauma
  
  
• Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant
  
  
• Intense emotional reactions to triggers
  
  
• Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships
  
  
• Numbness, detachment, or dissociation
  
  

For many, trauma therapy provides a pathway to healing and renewed confidence in daily life.

How Can Trauma Therapy Help?

Working with a trauma therapist can help you:

• Process and reframe traumatic memories
  
  
• Reduce symptoms of PTSD and anxiety
  
  
• Improve emotional regulation and resilience
  
  
• Rebuild a sense of safety and trust
  
  
• Develop coping strategies for triggers and stress
  
  
• Enhance self-esteem and relationships
  
  

Our aim is always to provide compassionate, practical support tailored to your needs.

Best Therapy for Trauma

There isn’t a single “best” therapy for trauma, as each person’s experiences and recovery journey are unique. What works well for one person may not be the right fit for another. At London Psychiatry Clinic, we follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when treating trauma and PTSD and tailor therapy to your individual needs and preferences.

Our team of highly experienced trauma specialists offers a wide range of evidence-based treatments, and we’ll work with you to find the approach that best supports your needs and goals.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): including trauma-focused CBT, to address unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. NICE guidelines recommend trauma-focused CBT as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): is widely recognised and proven as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD. NICE guidelines also recommend EMDR as a first-line treatment for PTSD.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): helping you accept painful experiences while moving toward your values.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): supporting emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
• Mindfulness-Based Approaches: grounding techniques to reduce anxiety and reactivity.
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT):  addressing self-criticism and shame linked to trauma.
  
  

Our clinicians will recommend the approach that best suits you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Trauma

Trauma-focused CBT is one of the most widely recommended treatments for trauma and PTSD. It helps you explore the links between traumatic experiences, your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. By identifying unhelpful patterns, you’ll learn practical techniques to reframe negative beliefs and reduce distress. Over time, CBT can lessen the intensity of flashbacks, anxiety, and avoidance, supporting you in regaining control of daily life.

EMDR Therapy for Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven, evidence-based therapy for trauma and PTSD. It is sometimes mistakenly called “rapid eye movement therapy,” but EMDR is a distinct therapeutic approach. EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less vivid, less emotionally charged, and easier to manage in daily life. 

Unlike traditional talking therapy, EMDR does not require you to describe your trauma in detail. Instead, it works by focusing on the memory while engaging in guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process supports the brain’s natural healing ability, helping you to integrate the memory in a more adaptive way.

How Does EMDR Work?

Traumatic experiences can become “stuck” in the brain’s memory network, leaving you feeling as though the event is still happening in the present. EMDR therapy helps to unlock these memories and reprocess them so they are stored more like ordinary past experiences.

During EMDR sessions, your therapist will guide you through sets of side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds while you briefly recall aspects of the traumatic memory. Over time, the memory loses its intensity and becomes less distressing.

Research shows that EMDR can significantly reduce symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and hypervigilance. Many clients notice meaningful improvements after a relatively short course of treatment for single-incident trauma, though more complex trauma may require longer treatment.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping you build a different relationship with painful memories. Instead of struggling against difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT encourages acceptance while guiding you to move towards the values and goals that matter most to you. This approach can be especially powerful for those feeling stuck in cycles of avoidance or self-criticism, allowing you to build a more meaningful and fulfilling life alongside recovery.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Trauma

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) can be particularly helpful when trauma is linked to intense emotions or difficulties in relationships. DBT combines acceptance and change strategies, offering practical tools across four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By building these skills, DBT helps you manage overwhelming emotions, reduce impulsive behaviours, and improve stability in your daily life and relationships.

Exposure Therapy for Trauma

Exposure therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to reduce avoidance and fear. With the guidance of a trauma specialist, you will gradually and safely face reminders of past trauma in a controlled way. This process helps to retrain your brain, teaching it that triggers are not dangerous. Over time, exposure therapy can significantly reduce hypervigilance, anxiety, and avoidance, empowering you to feel safer and more confident in everyday situations.

Counselling and Talking Therapy for Trauma

Talking therapy or trauma counselling are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can mean slightly different things. Counselling often focuses on providing emotional support and a safe space to talk, while therapy usually refers to structured, evidence-based approaches such as trauma-focused CBT or EMDR. At London Psychiatry Clinic, we offer supportive therapy sessions with evidence-based trauma treatments, so your care is tailored to your individual needs.

Medication For PTSD 

While therapy is the main treatment for trauma, medication for PTSD may help manage associated symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or sleep difficulties. Our psychiatrists will work with you to create a treatment plan that may combine therapy and medication if appropriate.

Private Trauma Therapy in London

At our Harley Street clinic in London, you can work with an experienced trauma therapist in a safe and supportive environment. Each treatment plan is tailored to your personal history, goals, and preferences.

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Online Trauma Therapy

We also offer secure, flexible online trauma therapy sessions, so you can access support wherever you are. Many people find online therapy just as effective as in-person treatment, especially if attending the clinic feels difficult, overwhelming or inconvenient.

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Why Choose London Psychiatry Clinic for trauma therapy?

At London Psychiatry Clinic, we take a personalised and compassionate approach. We don’t just treat symptoms, we help you process trauma, understand its impact, and build long-term resilience. Our trauma specialists are highly experienced, approachable, and trained in a wide range of evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, ACT, DBT, and more. You’ll receive high-quality care in a supportive, confidential setting, whether in-person or online.

Meet Our Trauma Therapists 

Our team includes experienced trauma specialists, PTSD therapists, and EMDR practitioners who are trained in the latest evidence-based approaches.

Head to our team page and scroll down to tick 'trauma and ptsd' to view our trauma specialists.

FAQs

Who can diagnose PTSD?
PTSD is diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, based on your symptoms and history.

Does PTSD ever go away?
PTSD symptoms can improve significantly with the right treatment. While some people recover fully, others may continue to experience occasional symptoms but find them much more manageable.

How to recover from trauma?
Recovery from trauma often involves professional therapy, self-care, and support from loved ones. With the right help, it is possible to process traumatic experiences and rebuild a fulfilling life.

What is the best therapy for trauma?
There is no single best therapy, but approaches such as EMDR therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and exposure therapy are all highly effective.

Is medication for PTSD available?
Yes. In some cases, medication can help manage related symptoms like anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. This is usually combined with therapy for best results.

Do you accept health insurance for trauma treatment?
Yes, we work with a wide range of international and UK-based health insurance providers. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to use it to cover your therapy sessions.

We currently work with the following insurers:

• Allianz Healthcare
• Cigna
• Bupa Global (International)
• GeoBlue
• HTH Worldwide
• Pru Health
• Simply Health
• WPA

If you’re insured with one of these providers, our administrative team can help guide you through the process. Just let us know at the time of booking, and we’ll support you with the necessary documentation and approvals.

What’s the difference between trauma counselling and trauma therapy?
Trauma counselling usually focuses on emotional support and coping skills, while trauma therapy often involves structured, evidence-based treatments like EMDR or trauma-focused CBT.

How long does trauma therapy take?
This varies. Some people benefit after 8-12 sessions, while others may need longer-term support. Your therapist will recommend a plan tailored to you.

Can I do EMDR therapy online?
Yes. EMDR can be delivered effectively online with a trained therapist using secure video technology and adapted techniques.

How long does EMDR therapy take?
The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on your needs and the type of trauma. For single-event trauma, many people see improvement within 6–12 sessions. More complex or long-term trauma may require several months of regular sessions. Each EMDR session usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. At London Psychiatry Clinic, your therapist will adapt the pace of treatment to ensure the process feels safe, supportive, and effective for you.

Can I get a diagnosis for PTSD at the London Psychiatry Clinic?
Yes. If you’d like a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or would benefit from a combined therapy and medication approach, we can arrange an assessment with one of our consultant psychiatrists. They work closely with our trauma therapists to provide integrated, evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs.