Trauma Therapy
One to one yoga therapy for PTSD, CPTSD, DID and trauma recovery
Trauma Therapy is a specialised branch of Yoga Therapy, a body-based therapy for people who have experienced childhood trauma (including neglect, emotional or verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse), any single event trauma, repeated trauma, vicarious trauma or generational trauma.
This includes a broad range of experiences including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, rape, torture, accidents, medical procedures, bereavement, natural disasters, war and so on. People coming for this therapy may be experiencing PTSD, CPTSD or other trauma-related symptoms and syndromes.
This natural approach is the key to why wild animals are not traumatized despite being routinely exposed to life or death situations! We all have an in-built way to process trauma.
Trauma Therapy aims to complete thwarted fight or flight responses and release the biophysical survival energies which are locked into terrifying patterns of fear / anxiety / anger / shutdown / PTSD.
These sessions differ from yoga therapy sessions as most of the work is done with the therapist during the session.
This can be adapted to people with complex health problems and for young people from the age of 4 years old. No minimum level of fitness required.
You are welcome to arrange a FREE consultation to find out more about whether this is the right therapy for you.
I have worked as a trauma therapist at mental health charity Creative Living Centre, yoga studios (The Life Centre North, Manchester Yoga Central, Creative Calm Studio) and for Manchester Rape Crisis.
I run training sessions for psychologists and counsellors to integrate body work into their talking therapies. I also train Yoga Teachers in Trauma informed teaching.
Sessions take place in Pendlebury (M27) and last 1 hour.
Fees:
Please let me know if you need a reduced fee.
£60/hour for self-funders
£65/hour for employers paying for employees
£75/hour via insurance claims
What effect can Trauma Therapy have?
The results commonly seen in this type of therapy are:
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nervous system resilience will increase (you won't be triggered by things which are not actually dangerous and you will recover quicker from stress),
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memories will be clear of strong emotional pain (they become coherent and accessible yet will not cause intense responses when you recall events),
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boundaries will be restored (you will feel emotions are manageable, that you are able to assert your wishes, you feel whole),
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the 'danger signal' in the brain will be switched off allowing you to feel ok as your normal state,
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energy which was being used to suppress, hold down and cut off frightening feelings will be available for living, (other illnesses may then become better)
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anger will be gradually processed (you won't be afraid you might hurt someone or yourself because the rage feels so intense)
These gradual changes can have profound effects on self-esteem, parenting, relationships, sex, work, social life and self-care.
What happens in one to one Trauma Therapy sessions?
At the initial consultation you will get to ask any questions you want and we will talk about possible options for treatment. I usually recommend an initial commitment between us of 10 sessions so we can build a good relationship, strong foundations and be able to work slowly and therapeutically. For complex trauma, repeated trauma, and childhood trauma therapy is usually weekly or fortnightly for a year or more with a similar time-frame to psychotherapy. This is a body-based therapy to help process traumatic events without re-traumatising the client. This is a non-regressive approach which I know, from experience, can bring about post-traumatic growth and freedom from the past.
You will be fully informed of the suggested treatment plan and can opt in or out of any part at any time.
First session (60 minute health assessment)
Expect to discuss your health and your goals. It is useful to know the reason you are coming to therapy without going through painful details. Our conversations are grounded in present-time awareness and you will not be asked to go into your experiences in detail as this can be re-traumatizing and is often very difficult due to the way the brain functions during trauma.
Subsequent sessions (50-60 minutes)
The therapy process is intended to be transparent. All exercises will be discussed with you before beginning and you can be supplied with a printed plan of the proposed treatment course. We will agree on the method, the aims and objectives, possible reactions and ways to make choices, including stopping or slowing down at any point. Each treatment plan is very individual but usually includes grounding, orienting, awareness, physical release and theory / models of trauma.
We will review the treatment at the end of most sessions.
Yoga therapy is an empowering treatment giving you the tools to release traumatic memories from the tissues of the body. It also aims to regulate the nervous system and emotions.
How will I feel afterwards?
The sessions can range from being energising and uplifting to relaxing and calming. Clients often feel less pain, more in touch with themselves, centred, balanced and refreshed.
You may feel relief, tired, grounded, awake.
How may sessions will I need?
A minimum of 10 sessions is recommended. It takes time to establish a secure relationship with the therapist and to introduce exercises slowly. Some people choose to continue with the therapy on a weekly or fortnightly basis beyond the 10 sessions.
We ask that you commit to a regular weekly or fortnightly slot for 10 weeks if possible. Creating strong boundaries and routine is an important part of the therapy process. If your circumstances do not allow for this, please arrange a consultation to discuss.
Low-cost appointments for people in financial difficulty are also an important part of my work - please ask if you need one of these.