Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing frightening event which overwhelms the body’s natural coping mechanism, causing feelings of helplessness, diminished sense of self and the inability to feel a full range of emotions. Trauma is a normal reaction to a horrible event; however, the effects can be so severe they interfere with a person’s natural ability to live a normal life.
Trauma counselling, or therapy, involves using various process and techniques working directly with the subconscious mind, the amygdala – a small part of the brain responsible for our feelings, emotions and reactions, the pre-frontal cortex and the hypocampus. It is directly linked to how we act and react.
A traumatic event overloads the brain’s normal stress management ability and our memory of the trauma becomes fragmented and filed in the wrong area of the brain.
Therefore, the memory does not follow a chronological order and disconnects from our speech centre. Memories of the event fragments and can easily be “triggered“ by other experiences, however the mind convinces itself it is a real event when it isn’t. These “triggers” could be smells, emotions, places, roads, images or noises. Sometimes, a traumatised person can experience flashbacks of the memories, as if they were occurring here and now like having a nightmare.
Trauma or PTSD varies greatly from person to person, as we all think and feel differently. Depending on several factors, people will react to therapy in different ways. With this in mind, I use an extensive toolkit of techniques and processes specific to my client and we evaluate as we go along. What we do need to do is balance the brain, its processing and how it sees the trauma, event or situation.
When you experience a traumatic event, your body’s defence system – fight, flight or freeze creates a stress response, which can make you feel a variety of physical symptoms, behave differently and experience more intense emotions. When suffering trauma, the body produces a chemical reaction can lead to symptoms such as:
Any kind of disturbing event which overwhelms your ability to cope falls into the PTSD category.
These symptoms are a normal reaction to an emergency. Directly after the traumatic event people may experience shock and denial. This can last several days, weeks or years and include feelings like sadness, anger and guilt. Many people go on to recover, however, some may take longer and may go on to develop anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The most concerning change to your brain is its reduction in size as the brain and grey matter struggles to cope. Parts of the brain, in particular the pre-frontal cortex, shuts down or goes “off line”. When this happens, it disrupts the ability to think, process and complete basic tasks, making general life and work difficult. The second significant change is the increase in cortisol levels which spikes anxiety, stress and mental illness and could lead to PTSD.
If symptoms are left untreated it can have drastic mental health implications such as loneliness, depression and insomnia. Physical health issues including chronic pain, anger management, headaches, stomach problems, sexual dysfunction, alcohol or drug abuse. People often experience a combination of the above.
Yes, it absolutely can. When trauma is left untreated it often becomes PTSD or CPTSD – Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can develop after being involved in, or witnessing, traumatic events. The condition was first recognised in war veterans and has been known as ‘shell shock’, but it’s not only diagnosed in soldiers.
When you mention PTSD most people think of war veterans or emergency services personal, however, according to the American Psychological Association, women are twice as likely to develop PTSD, experience a longer duration of post-traumatic symptoms and display more sensitivity to stimuli that remind them of the trauma.
When you go through something you find traumatic it’s understandable to experience some symptoms associated with PTSD afterwards, such as feeling numb or having trouble sleeping. This is sometimes described as an ‘acute stress reaction’.
Many people find that these symptoms disappear within a few weeks, but if your symptoms last for longer than a month, you might be given a diagnosis of PTSD. Your GP might refer you to a therapist if your symptoms are particularly severe.
How do I know if I have PTSD? What are the symptoms?
It takes commitment to PTSD therapy and an integration process to move on. At times, this may be difficult because you may need to face uncomfortable memories, but recovery can be made, and many people move on to lead normal lives.
Medication can be an effective addition for PTSD treatment, but it can never cure it on its own. These drugs help improve mood, decrease anxiety and make it easier to concentrate and sleep.
In addition, normal life can be entirely restored, reconnecting with family and friends and perhaps rebuilding relationships. If you are struggling, find a PTSD counselling therapist or PTSD counsellor near you and take back control of your life.
We would encourage anyone who has experienced trauma to at least consider some form of trauma counselling and/ or working with a PTSD counsellor. There are a great many benefits:
With many years of experience as a trauma recovery therapist and PTSD counselling specialist, I understand what it takes to help you reclaim control of your life. As a highly reviewed and trusted professional serving Bedford, Northampton, Milton Keynes, and beyond, you can feel confident knowing you’re in safe hands.
I use advanced, neuroscience-based techniques to help you quickly transform your thinking patterns, address anxiety, and break free from limiting beliefs.
By combining the Integrated Therapy System™ with TheraCoachPro™, I utilise proven techniques to rapidly neutralise strong negative emotions and create lasting change. Once these feelings are under control, your mind is free to shift toward a positive and productive future.
I work differently than traditional therapists or counsellors. My approach is designed to move your mind, rewire your brain and focus forward, helping you set meaningful goals and see value in your future. This forward-thinking mindset is key to enabling the brain to repair, reconnect, and thrive.
Together, we’ll create a clear plan to guide you toward the life you want—quickly, effectively, and with measurable results.
Effective therapy requires a structured and focused approach. At Future-Edge Therapy, we offer a package of 8 one-hour sessions (available in person or online) to ensure a clear plan is followed, significantly improving success rates for our clients.
Using our Integrated Therapy System™and TheraCoachPro™, we combine advanced therapeutic techniques with coaching strategies to address and neutralise strong negative emotions while equipping you with tools for long-term success. Once these feelings are under control, positive changes happen quickly and effectively.
To maximise results, you may be asked to complete additional exercises or self-care activities between sessions. These tools are designed to empower you to manage your thoughts and emotions independently, building resilience and self-confidence. For more complex or deep-rooted issues, additional sessions may be required to ensure lasting results.
Before starting, we offer a free 20-minute discovery call over the phone. This no-obligation session is an opportunity for you to share your goals, learn how we work with the Integrated Therapy System™ and TheraCoachPro™, and determine whether we’re the right fit for your needs.
We no longer offer one-off or individually priced sessions, as the 8-session package has been carefully designed to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. This approach offers excellent value and ensures a clear pathway to achieving your desired results no matter whether you’re based in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Northampton or beyond.
