Mental Health Care For Trauma Survivors: Trauma Therapy UK

Traumatic experiences can lead to complex emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges. For people who have experienced trauma, effective mental health care can be crucial to their ability to heal and live a healthy, active life. Psychotherapy is usually a primary component of a trauma survivor’s treatment plan, allowing them to receive emotional support, develop effective coping strategies, and manage any symptoms of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we’ll outline the potential mental health effects of a traumatic experience, the importance of trauma-based psychotherapy, and options for trauma therapy in the United Kingdom. 

Understanding trauma

Trauma refers to an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing occurrence. The event may be a single occurrence, such as an assault, a natural disaster, or a car accident, or ongoing over a period of time, such as abuse, poverty, or living in a war zone. The way an individual responds to a traumatic event can vary widely, but many people may feel sadness, fear, nervousness, confusion, irritability, anger, and/or other emotions. Trauma can also cause fatigue, tension, heightened arousal, and other physical responses. 

Common types of traumatic events

Trauma can arise out of a wide range of situations. The following are common examples of potentially traumatic events:

• Natural disasters
• The death of a loved one (traumatic bereavement)
• Experience in combat zones
• Vehicle accidents
• Emotional or physical abuse
• Witnessing or being involved in a crime
• Violence, like assault
• Bullying
• Discrimination
• Serious illness or injury

Researchers suspect that the way a person responds to a traumatic event has to do with other factors in their life, such as whether they've experienced trauma before, whether they already have a mental illness, and whether they have strong social support. 

The physical and mental health effects of trauma

A traumatic incident can lead to various emotional and cognitive challenges. Trauma responses usually develop immediately after the traumatic event, though they can sometimes be delayed. Challenging feelings related to trauma are normal, but they may be difficult to face, potentially leading to serious mental health concerns, impaired functioning, and relationship challenges. Following a distressing event, some individuals develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related mental health conditions. 

Emotional reactions 

Anger, sadness, worry, and guilt are common responses to trauma. People who have survived life-threatening events may also be fearful that such events will happen again. This fear can serve as the basis for distressing psychological outcomes, such as heightened arousal, worry, intrusive thoughts, and other anxiety-related challenges. 

Cognitive impacts 

Individuals living with trauma can also experience cognitive distortions that may further impact their health. For instance, they may overestimate the likelihood of a similar occurrence happening again, or they might take responsibility for the traumatic event, despite evidence of it not being their fault.

Physical effects

Trauma can also be connected to various physical challenges. Many trauma survivors exhibit somatization, which refers to a range of physical symptoms that may arise without a discernible medical cause. Examples of these symptoms can include gastrointestinal distress, headaches, muscle pain, heart palpitations, and other physical effects. Trauma can also cause sleep disruptions, which may exacerbate or cause symptoms of mental health conditions. 

Trauma-related mental health conditions

In some cases, an individual’s trauma response is severe enough that their symptoms qualify as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which we’ll cover in more detail below. Individuals living with trauma could also develop depressive disorders, substance use disorder, anxiety disorders, or acute stress disorder. 

While the effects of trauma can be challenging, survivors can often effectively navigate these concerns with the right mental health support. Psychotherapy can help individuals living with trauma process their feelings, learn about their symptoms, develop healthy coping strategies, and come to view life differently. 

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a complex mental health condition that can arise out of a traumatic experience. It is estimated that one in 10 people in the UK will experience PTSD during their lifetime. 

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress are separated into four categories: intrusion, avoidance, cognitive and mood, and responsiveness and arousal. According to the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to be diagnosed with PTSD, an individual must experience at least one intrusion symptom, one avoidance symptom, two cognitive state or mood symptoms, and two responsiveness and arousal symptoms. Remember that only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose a mental illness like PTSD. 

Intrusion symptoms

• Recurring, unwanted memories that cause distress
• Repeated distressing dreams or nightmares associated with the occurrence
• Dissociation related to the traumatic experience
• Psychological distress after exposure to triggers
• Physical responses to triggers

Avoidance symptoms

• Attempts at avoiding internal triggers, such as memories, emotions, or thoughts related to the traumatic experience
• Attempts at avoiding external triggers, such as locations, people, or scenarios related to the traumatic experience

Cognitive and mood symptoms

• Trouble remembering details of the experience
• Ongoing negative thought patterns 
• Cognitive distortions surrounding the event
• Negative expressions of emotions
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Social withdrawal and/or feelings of social isolation 
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions

Responsiveness and arousal symptoms

• Irritability
• Self-destructive or dangerous behaviors
• Heightened alertness
• Increased responsiveness 
• Difficulty focusing
• Sleep disruptions

These symptoms of PTSD can also lead to signs of significant anxiety, including heightened nervousness, physical tension, rapid heartbeat, and gastrointestinal distress. 

Treatment for PTSD

The primary form of treatment for PTSD is therapy, sometimes in combination with medication. There are several therapeutic modalities that can be used to reduce symptoms of PTSD, which we’ll discuss below. Commonly prescribed medications for PTSD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. 

Lifestyle changes may also help individuals manage PTSD symptoms. Examples can include getting quality sleep, exercising regularly, and developing a healthy nutritional plan. In addition, many individuals use mind-body exercises—like yoga, mindfulness meditation, or emotional freedom technique—to help alleviate PTSD symptoms. 

Types of trauma therapy

Various psychotherapeutic modalities may help individuals limit the effects of psychological trauma. Techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and prolonged exposure therapy can support professionals in effectively treating PTSD and related concerns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

One common modality used to address trauma symptoms is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Therapists who utilize CBT principles help participants understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a modality in which participants remember a traumatic experience in such a way that their relationship to the traumatic memories may change. It involves working with a trained provider to verbally recall traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements from side to side. 

Prolonged exposure (PE) 

A form of cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy involves gradual exposure to potential triggers that an individual may have been avoiding. By safely and systematically confronting the feelings, scenarios, and memories related to their trauma, participants may learn to become less reactive when exposed to these triggers in everyday life. 

Options for trauma therapy (UK)

Before pursuing therapy, it can help to know what to look for in a trauma specialist. Trauma therapists in the UK typically must hold graduate degrees in trauma-based psychotherapy. They may also be registered with a governing body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Additionally, you’ll likely want to learn more about a professional’s experience treating clients with traumatic experiences and challenges that are similar to your own before scheduling your sessions. 

If you’re located in the United Kingdom and are considering trauma psychotherapy, there are several ways of receiving treatment. The following are options to keep in mind when seeking trauma therapy in the UK. 

Using the NHS to pursue trauma therapy (UK)

Trauma-informed psychotherapy is free of charge through the National Health Service (NHS). If you’re interested in utilizing the NHS, you can ask your general practitioner for a referral or self-refer to the NHS’s talking therapy service. 

Trauma support groups

Connecting with others who have also experienced trauma-related challenges can help you take advantage of social support, express your feelings to people who understand, and learn new coping skills. In some groups, sessions are led by mental health professionals who provide trauma-informed group therapy. You may be able to find support groups—either in person or online—dedicated to a specific trauma-related concern that’s relevant to you, such as PTSD or combat experience.

Trauma care through individual therapists

You may also find a trauma specialist or therapist through your medical insurance (if applicable) or employee assistance program, if available. You can also reach out to an independent specialist on trauma (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other professional) directly for a fee.

Processing trauma in online therapy

For many people who have undergone traumatic events, sharing their experiences can be daunting. Some feel more comfortable engaging in this process virtually through online therapy.

The potential benefits of trauma care through online therapy

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can navigate trauma by connecting with a professional remotely through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. That means you can attend regular sessions from the comfort of home without having to commute. BetterHelp also allows you to switch therapists at any time for no additional cost until you find a provider with whom you feel comfortable and who seems like the right fit. 

The efficacy of online therapy for PTSD

Studies suggest that online therapy can be an effective approach for addressing trauma-related mental health concerns. For example, findings from a large meta-analysis that involved 12 studies and over 1,300 participants suggest that online therapy can often be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, the analysis reports that online interventions may help reduce depressive symptoms that can arise alongside PTSD.