Trauma can leave invisible scars that affect every aspect of your life, from your thoughts and emotions to your physical health, relationships and sense of self. Trauma is what remains when an experience overwhelms our capacity to stay connected to ourselves, to others, to our own sense of safety. It is the unfinished story the body keeps telling through tension, hypervigilance, collapse, or numbness.
At Leone Centre, we provide experienced, trauma‑informed therapy and counselling in London and online, helping you reclaim your well‑being and build a life beyond survival.
Whether you’re seeking trauma counselling in London or online, we’re here to accompany you with understanding and experience.
Book a consultation with a trauma therapist today
On This Page
- Understanding Trauma: What Is Trauma?
- Types of Trauma: Recognising Different Experiences
- Childhood Trauma
- Single‑Incident Trauma
- Complex Trauma (C‑PTSD)
- Other Types of Trauma
- Recognising the Signs of Trauma
- Emotional and Behavioural Signs of Trauma
- Physical and Health‑Related Signs of Trauma
- Healing from Trauma: How Trauma Therapy and Counselling Can Help
- Evidence‑Based Trauma Therapy Approaches
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- Integrative Approach
- Finding the Right Trauma Therapist: What to Expect
- Essential Qualities of a Trauma‑Informed Therapist
- Ethical Practice in Trauma Counselling
- Consent & Transparency
- Avoiding Re‑Traumatisation
- Online vs In‑Person Trauma Therapy
- Taking the First Step Towards Healing from Trauma
- FAQs About Trauma Therapy
Understanding Trauma: What Is Trauma?
Trauma refers to a psychological and physiological response to a distressing or overwhelming event that exceeds your ability to cope.
Importantly, what counts as “traumatic” is deeply personal. Trauma can occur from a single terrifying event, overwhelm, a prolonged period of distress, or a series of smaller wounds that build over time.
What devastates one person may not affect another in the same way. What is traumatic isn’t defined by the event alone but by how it lands in your system and how safe you feel afterwards.
In the UK, recent data show that approximately 34.8 % of adults reported experiencing at least one major traumatic event in their lifetime.
When trauma occurs, our nervous system may shift into survival mode, activating “fight, flight, freeze, fawn” responses. Over time, unresolved traumatic experiences can become embedded in the brain and body, shaping our emotional life, behaviours and physical health.
Types of Trauma: Recognising Different Experiences
There are many ways trauma can touch someone’s life. We believe that recognising your form of trauma is the first step in finding the right kind of healing.
Childhood Trauma
Experiences in early life can shape your sense of safety, trust and value. Childhood trauma includes experiences such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse; neglect; witnessing violence; the death of a loved one; or growing up in a home with chronic instability or fear.
These wounds often stay hidden, quietly influencing self-worth, attachment styles, and emotional regulation in adulthood. They may leave you with heightened vigilance, difficulty trusting others, or patterns of self‑criticism and shame.
Single‑Incident Trauma
Trauma can also come from a one‑time event: a car accident, natural disaster, assault, sudden loss, surgery, or medical emergency.
While the event may have passed, the impact can linger; you might replay the event in your mind, avoid reminders, or find that the world no longer feels safe. Early support is key in helping stabilise the nervous system and reduce the risk of longer‑term distress.
Complex Trauma (C‑PTSD)
When trauma arises from repeated, prolonged or multiple events (e.g., chronic abuse, domestic violence, childhood neglect) the impact is often more pervasive. This is sometimes referred to as Complex PTSD.
With C‑PTSD, you may struggle with emotional regulation, experience persistent feelings of shame or guilt, find relationships difficult, or feel a deep sense of self being damaged. The good news is that specialised trauma therapy can support you in healing and reconnecting.
Other Types of Trauma
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Vicarious or secondary trauma (for professionals such as therapists or first responders)
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Medical trauma, including experiences like frightening hospital stays, difficult childbirth, or moments when consent or explanation was missing
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Historical or inter-generational trauma: when trauma is passed down through family or community
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Subtle attachment or developmental trauma: growing up with emotionally unavailable caregivers, chronic criticism or shaming, or environments where expressing emotions was punished
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Relational and interpersonal trauma: repeated invalidation, silent treatment, betrayal, gaslighting, or living with someone who is highly dysregulated
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Identity-related or existential trauma: sudden loss of a role, community, or core part of self
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Accumulated “small-t” trauma: ongoing overwhelm, burnout, high-stress living environments, or frequent exposure to others’ distress
Recognising the Signs of Trauma
Trauma affects us in mind, body and behaviour. Noticing the signs is a brave and important step towards seeking support.
Emotional and Behavioural Signs of Trauma
- Difficulty trusting others (often because of past betrayal) or persistent hypervigilance in public or interpersonal situations
- Avoidance of people, places or conversations that feel triggering
- Intense feelings of guilt, shame or fear
- Flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive memories of the event
- Sudden outbursts of anger or irritability; struggles with emotional regulation
- Dissociation (feeling detached, unreal, or “outside” your body)
Physical and Health‑Related Signs of Trauma
Trauma doesn’t only live in the mind. It often shows up in the body too:
- Unexplained aches and pains, digestive issues or headaches
- Chronic health conditions or autoimmune issues linked to trauma exposure
- Sleep problems, fatigue, hyper‑arousal
Research shows that adults with multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at significantly higher risk of poorer health outcomes across the lifespan. BioMed Central+1
Healing from Trauma: How Trauma Therapy and Counselling Can Help
Seeking professional support is one of the most important and courageous steps you can take. Here’s why and what to expect.
- You don’t have to relive the trauma in every detail to heal. A common myth is that you must recount the event over and over. In many trauma‑informed therapies, the focus is on safe processing and integration rather than repetition of the story.
- Self‑help is valuable—but not a substitute. Mindfulness, yoga, creative expression and positive self‑talk can support your recovery, but they work best alongside professional therapy. For example, the book The Body Keeps the Score discusses how the body stores trauma and why movement‑based approaches (like yoga) can aid regulation.
- Support networks matter. Talking to trusted friends or joining a support group helps you feel less alone, grounded and empowered while you work with a therapist.
Evidence‑Based Trauma Therapy Approaches
At the Leone Centre we offer a range of trauma‑informed, evidence‑based therapies.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to process and reprogramme your emotional responses to traumatic events.
Research consistently shows that EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Therapy can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, often in just a few sessions. For individuals who have experienced multiple traumatic events, additional sessions may be beneficial.
EMDR is internationally recognised and endorsed by leading health organisations, including:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
- UK National Health Service (NHS)
Learn more in our blog post: EMDR Therapy Explained: The Science of Healing Trauma with Eye Movement
Book an EMDR Therapy appointment
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
CBT helps you understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts, beliefs and behaviours, and how to change those patterns to reduce symptoms and increase resilience. It is recommended by the NHS for trauma and PTSD.
Integrative Approach
At the Leone Centre, our therapists work within an integrative model, drawing on a range of evidence-based approaches to support each person’s unique needs. This means therapy is not “one-size-fits-all,” but thoughtfully adapted to your preferences, experiences, history and goals.
Our practitioners are skilled in modalities including somatic work, attachment-based therapies, mindfulness-informed counselling, and relational approaches. This integration allows us to work with both mind and body, helping you develop safety, connection, and resilience as part of your healing process.
Finding the Right Trauma Therapist: What to Expect
Essential Qualities of a Trauma‑Informed Therapist
A trauma-informed therapist is someone who offers:
- A sense of safety, compassion and validation
- Clear explanation of how therapy works, what you can expect, and boundaries of confidentiality
- Training or experience in trauma work (EMDR, CBT, relational trauma, etc)
- Respect for your pace and empowerment over the process
At Leone Centre, all our therapists are registered with professional bodies such as the BACP or UKCP and undergo ongoing CPD training.
Ethical Practice in Trauma Counselling
Consent & Transparency
We always seek your informed consent before using any techniques and explain the process clearly.
Avoiding Re‑Traumatisation
Our therapists are trained not to push you beyond your capacity or use harmful methods. The priority is your safety, stability and trust.
Online vs In‑Person Trauma Therapy
Both in‑person and online (via Zoom) formats are available at Leone Centre, giving you flexibility and access.
Research supports that online therapy can be just as effective as in‑person for many trauma‑related conditions. At our London‑based clinic and online service, you’ll receive the same high‑quality care adapted to the medium.
Taking the First Step Towards Healing from Trauma
Healing is possible. You don’t need to carry the burden alone.
Our experienced team of trauma counsellors and therapists in London and online stand ready to support your journey.
Begin your journey to healing today by getting in touch with us or booking online below:
FAQs About Trauma Therapy
How long does trauma therapy take?
The length varies depending on your experiences, severity of symptoms and goals. Where appropriate with EMDR, some clients see improvements in just a few sessions. Other clients may benefit from longer‑term work. Your therapist will guide you through the process and be there to answer any questions you may have.
Do I need to discuss my trauma in detail during therapy?
It’s not always necessary to discuss all the details. Many trauma approaches focus on stabilisation first and work with the symptoms and responses rather than reliving a full narrative. You’ll move at a pace that feels safe for you and be guided by your therapist.
What makes EMDR effective for trauma?
EMDR helps the brain re‑process entrenched traumatic memories so they feel less stuck, less triggering and better integrated into your life story. When appropriate and depending on the individual, EMDR can provide relief from distressing trauma symptoms in a short number of sessions. It is evidence‑based, widely recommended, and is offered at Leone Centre.