Trauma Therapy
Phase 1 involves having a good understanding of what is getting in the way of your goals, and we will work towards safety and stabilisation strategies that will help you to feel safe in the room. All trauma work involves establishing a trusting relationship with your therapist, creating a safe space, pacing things for each individual and working initially on emotional regulation skills. Other aspects of phase 1 might include maintaining personal safety, building stress tolerance, enhancing basic life functioning skills, problem solving, goal setting, managing boundaries and relationships, managing flashbacks, assertiveness and communication training, pinpointing triggers, managing anxiety and depression symptoms and psychoeducation around what you are struggling with. Once you feel more able to tolerate emotions and manage overwhelm, we are able (if you so choose) to move on to phase 2.
Phase 2
This phase involves confronting, working through, and integrating traumatic memories and it is specifically in this phase the focus turns to working with the persons memories of traumatic experiences. This phase is specifically designed to help clients confront, process, and ultimately gain control over the distressing thoughts, emotions, and memories associated with their traumas. This thoughtful approach leads to resilience, fostering self-compassion and understanding, which are essential for long-lasting recovery. Effective work in this phase involves remembering, tolerating, processing, and integrating overwhelming past events. It is optimal to carefully plan out and schedule work on traumatic memories (ISSTD, 2011). There is argument as to whether the direct processing of traumatic content is necessary, for some it may feel like an essential part of the work and for others maybe not so. I will work with you to address trauma content in a way that feels safe and in your control, pacing the work and using agreed grounding strategies that support the processing of trauma in a way that does not feel overwhelming.
Phase 3
In phase 3 we look at integration or reclaiming life, helping you to move towards your goals in line with your values. Phase 3 involves manging relapse and strategies for moving on once you leave therapy. These phases are not linear, so there is much crossover, and a person may find themselves moving from phase 2 – 3 and back to 2 if things don’t feel manageable. In short term work we might focus more on the phase 1 work.
Trauma Articles & Resources
Betrayal Trauma and Dissociative Identity Disorder: Understanding the Deep Wound Beneath Fragmentation
Written in collaboration by Laura Flann DID Specialist & Trauma Therapist and Chat GPT. Introduction Betrayal trauma lies at
Understanding the Importance of the Therapeutic Space
Introduction: The therapeutic space, often referred to as the therapeutic environment, is a safe setting where individuals embark on their
The Vital Role of Self-care in Trauma Therapy
Introduction Trauma therapy is a vital resource for individuals who have experienced distressing and life-altering events. It provides a safe
Understanding flashbacks in PTSD: A closer look at the lingering shadow of trauma
Introduction Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mix of challenges that can affect individuals who have experienced traumatic events.
What is Trauma?
What is Trauma? When we experience stressful, frightening or distressing events that overwhelm our capacity to cope, we might define
Phase 1 Trauma work: Insight into Initial Trauma Therapy.
Introduction: The journey of healing begins with stage one trauma work, an essential phase in addressing and processing the impact