Trauma is a term used to describe the challenging emotional consequences that living through a distressing event can have for an individual. A traumatic event often involves a threat to your sense of safety, or the life and safety of someone in your vicinity, but anything that overwhelms the nervous system’s ability to cope can result in trauma. It can be:

 

• A recent, single traumatic event (e.g., road traffic accident, witnessing a distressing event)

• A long-term, chronic pattern (e.g., ongoing childhood neglect, sexual or physical abuse).

 

We can work with trauma specifically or integrate work on trauma alongside occupational therapy related activities.

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Verna is a qualified eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR). This is a therapy that that helps people process and recover from traumatic experiences and other mental health conditions.  She integrates this approach into her trauma informed and focused occupational therapy.

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Trauma often intersects with other physical, cognitive and emotional barriers that impact on an individual’s ability to live their life and carry out the life roles that are important to them. Trauma can have a profound impact on daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.  ​We can help you with the practical  use of resourcing strategies learnt through EMDR and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This can include helping you to reduce avoidance behaviours and helping you to use strategies to tolerate and cope with distress in a practical day to day context. We can help you to re-engage in everyday activities, helping you to confront situations and activities that are triggering or being avoided as a result of the traumatic experience.

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We take a holistic approach to trauma recovery, helping you to heal through everyday activities while also addressing the emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of trauma. By focusing on both the mind and body, we empowers you to rebuild your life and regain control over your day-to-day experiences.