Online Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) UK - CBT for PTSD

How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body

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Trauma can have a significant impact on both physical and emotional wellbeing. When we experience something overwhelming or threatening, our brain and body activate survival responses designed to keep us safe.

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For some people, these responses settle naturally over time. For others, the effects of trauma can persist long after the event has ended.

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Common trauma responses include:

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• Intrusive memories or flashbacks

• Nightmares or disturbed sleep

• Feeling constantly on edge or hypervigilant

• Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event

• Difficulty concentrating

• Emotional numbness or detachment

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame

• Anxiety and panic symptoms

• Irritability or anger

• Physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, or a racing heart

 

Many people experiencing trauma-related difficulties also struggle with anxiety. You can learn more about this on my CBT for Anxiety page.

 

How TF-CBT Helps

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Trauma-Focused CBT helps you make sense of your experiences and understand how trauma may be influencing your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical reactions.

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Together, we will develop a personalised understanding of your difficulties and identify the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

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Through TF-CBT, you can learn to:

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• Understand common trauma responses

• Reduce distress associated with traumatic memories

• Challenge unhelpful beliefs linked to the trauma

• Manage anxiety and emotional overwhelm

• Reduce avoidance behaviours

• Develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions and physical trauma responses

• Rebuild confidence and a sense of safety

• Develop healthier coping strategies

• Move forward without being controlled by past experiences

 

What TF-CBT Involves

Assessment and Understanding Your Experiences

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We begin by exploring your experiences, current difficulties, and therapy goals. This helps us develop a shared understanding of how trauma has affected you and identify the most appropriate treatment approach.

 

Psychoeducation

 

Understanding trauma is often an important first step in recovery. Learning about common trauma responses can help reduce self-blame and increase confidence in the therapeutic process.

 

Developing Coping Skills

 

Before processing traumatic memories, we may develop strategies to help you manage distress, regulate difficult emotions and feel more grounded, so that trauma-focused work can be approached safely and at a manageable pace.

 

Processing Traumatic Memories

 

A key part of Trauma-Focused CBT involves carefully processing traumatic memories at a pace that feels manageable. Rather than trying to forget what happened, therapy aims to help the memory feel less distressing and less connected to a sense of current threat.

 

Challenging Unhelpful Beliefs

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Traumatic experiences can change the way you see yourself, other people and the world. You may be left with beliefs such as ‘I’m not safe,’ ‘It was my fault,’ or ‘I can’t trust anyone.’ Trauma-Focused CBT helps you explore these beliefs, understand how they developed and develop more balanced ways of viewing yourself and what happened.

 

Moving Forward

 

As therapy progresses, the focus shifts towards helping you reconnect with the parts of life that trauma may have disrupted. This might include rebuilding confidence, returning to activities or situations you have been avoiding, strengthening relationships and developing strategies to maintain the progress you have made.

 

 

 

 

Who Can Benefit from TF-CBT?

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Trauma-Focused CBT can help adults who continue to experience distress following traumatic or overwhelming experiences. You do not need to have experienced a particular type of trauma for therapy to be appropriate.

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• Road traffic accidents

• Physical assault

• Sexual assault or abuse

• Childhood trauma

• Domestic abus

• Medical trauma

• Workplace trauma

• Sudden bereavement or traumatic loss

• Witnessing distressing events

• Other highly stressful or life-threatening experiences

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Depending on your experiences and individual needs, EMDR may also be an appropriate treatment for trauma and PTSD. You can read more about my EMDR therapy here.

 

TF-CBT Techniques

 

Depending on your individual needs, therapy may include:

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• Trauma-focused cognitive restructuring

• Behavioural experiments

• Exposure-based techniques

• Grounding strategies - like the 54321 technique  

• Emotional regulation skills

• Relaxation and breathing exercises

• Compassion-focused approaches

• Relapse prevention planning

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I can also integrate trauma-informed somatic approaches where appropriate, particularly when trauma is experienced strongly through physical sensations or nervous-system responses. You can read more about my Somatic Therapy approach here.

 

Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific experiences and goals.

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Why Choose Online T-F CBT ?

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Online Trauma-Focused CBT allows you to access specialist trauma therapy from the privacy and familiarity of your own home. For some people, this can make starting trauma therapy feel more manageable, particularly when travelling or unfamiliar environments are difficult.

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I provide online Trauma-Focused CBT for adults, with treatment tailored to your individual experiences, symptoms and goals.

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For information about appointments, availability, and pricing, please visit my Services & Fees page.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trauma-Focused CBT effective?

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Yes. Trauma-Focused CBT is an evidence-based psychological therapy recommended by NICE for PTSD. It can help reduce symptoms such as distressing memories, avoidance, anxiety, hypervigilance and unhelpful beliefs related to the traumatic experience.

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How many sessions will I need?

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​The number of sessions varies depending on your experiences, symptoms and individual needs. Trauma-Focused CBT is usually delivered over a structured course of therapy, but the length of treatment will be discussed with you following assessment and reviewed throughout therapy.

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Is TF-CBT the same as EMDR?

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No. Trauma-Focused CBT and EMDR are different evidence-based approaches used to treat PTSD and trauma-related difficulties. TF-CBT focuses on understanding and changing trauma-related thoughts, beliefs and behaviours, while EMDR uses bilateral stimulation as part of processing traumatic memories. Following assessment, we can discuss which approach may be most appropriate for you.

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Can TF-CBT help with anxiety and panic attacks?

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Yes. Trauma can contribute to anxiety, panic attacks and a heightened sense of threat. Trauma-Focused CBT can help you understand these responses, reduce avoidance and develop more helpful ways of responding to anxiety and fear. You may find it helpful to read my article on Understanding the Key Differences Between Anxiety and Panic Attacks.

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Do you offer online therapy?

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Yes. I provide secure online trauma therapy sessions for adults throughout the UK and Europe.

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What if I'm nervous about talking about my trauma?

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This is completely understandable. Therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable for you. We focus on building safety and coping skills before exploring traumatic memories in greater depth.

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For answers to other common questions about therapy, confidentiality, and online sessions, please visit my Frequently Asked Questions page.

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Take the First Step

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Living with PTSD or the effects of trauma can feel exhausting and isolating, but effective treatment is available. Trauma-Focused CBT can help you process difficult experiences, reduce distressing symptoms and regain a greater sense of control over your life.

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If you are considering Trauma-Focused CBT and would like to discuss whether it could be right for you, I offer a free 20-minute consultation. You can use the button below to get in touch.

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