“Healing comes from seeking the frightened inner child, guiding them to a safe haven where their voice is heard, their pain is validated and their deepest needs are finally met with compassion”
Impact of Childhood Trauma
Childhood experiences shape the foundation of our lives, influencing our emotional, psychological, cognitive, and interpersonal development. Children rely heavily on their environment for scaffolding the skills required to find and maintain a sense of safety and security, making them particularly vulnerable to trauma. When traumatic events occur during critical developmental stages, the impact can be profound and long-lasting, affecting a child’s ability to regulate emotions, form a stable identity, and engage in healthy interpersonal relationships.
Understanding Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) differs from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma related to specific events in childhood. C-PTSD arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, often involving situations where escape is difficult or impossible. In contrast, PTSD can develop after a single traumatic event. Childhood trauma may involve specific incidents, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or it can be rooted in a lack of essential emotional and physical support, which can result in developmental disruptions and adverse long-term effects.
The Role of Nurturing in Preventing Trauma
The absence of receiving enough “good things” in childhood, such as protection, guidance, love, and a safe, emotionally available, stable, and responsive environment, can also lead to trauma reactions related to abandonment or emotional deprivation. It is crucial to recognise that complex trauma can result from both harmful experiences and the lack of necessary nurturing and support.
Healing from C-PTSD and Childhood Trauma
Healing from C-PTSD and childhood trauma requires a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that addresses the multifaceted nature of these experiences. This may include therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Psychoeducation, Schema Therapy, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), as well as fostering a reflective, authentic and safe therapeutic relationship.
DASS-21 Questionnaire
All new patients are encouraged to complete the DASS-21 psychological test. This quick and easy online questionnaire assesses depression, anxiety, and stress levels, providing valuable insights into your mental health.
Take the online quizTherapy Process
Personalised and effective therapy develops through a dynamic and iterative process.
Your evolving needs will be met by a continuous refinement of such process, fostering successful and unique care.
1. Assessment
We begin by exploring your concerns, history, and goals through a clinical interview and psychometric questionnaires. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is our priority during this phase.
2. Formulation
Together, we develop an understanding of your experiences based on psychological theories, aiming for a shared understanding of contributing factors.
3. Treatment
Tailored therapy approaches, such as CBT or ACT, address your specific needs. We focus on emotional stability, coping strategies, and uncovering underlying patterns for lasting growth.
4. Evaluation
Continuous assessment allows us to monitor progress. I will adjust treatment plans and optimize outcomes based on individualized goals and standardized measures.