PTSD & Trauma Responses
Gentle support for trauma held in the body
Trauma can affect how safe you feel in your body and in the world. For some people this is linked to a specific event; for others it develops gradually through repeated stress, illness, or experiences that felt overwhelming at the time.
I work with people experiencing PTSD and trauma responses using clinical hypnotherapy and mindfulness, with a strong emphasis on nervous-system safety, choice, and pacing.
This is not about reliving the past or forcing anything to change. It’s about helping the body feel safer again.
What trauma responses can look like
Trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect. You don’t need to have a clear memory, diagnosis, or dramatic event for your experience to be valid.
Common trauma responses include:
feeling constantly on edge or hyper-alert
difficulty relaxing or switching off
sudden fear or panic without obvious cause
emotional numbness or disconnection
intrusive thoughts, images, or sensations
sleep disturbance or nightmares
avoidance of places, situations, or people
a sense of being unsafe in your own body
These responses are not a sign of weakness. They are protective patterns that developed when your system was under threat.
Trauma lives in the nervous system
Trauma is not just a memory — it is a nervous-system response.
Even when the danger has passed, the body may continue to react as if it hasn’t. This is why trauma responses can persist despite insight, reassurance, or understanding.
Trying to “think your way out” of trauma often doesn’t work, because these responses sit below conscious control.
How hypnotherapy can support trauma responses
Hypnotherapy offers a calm, contained state in which the nervous system can begin to soften and regulate.
Rather than pushing into difficult memories, the work focuses on:
restoring a sense of safety
reducing chronic fight-or-flight activation
working gently with subconscious patterns
supporting the body to settle at its own pace
You remain fully aware and in control throughout. Nothing is forced, and nothing is revisited unless it feels appropriate and safe to do so.
A trauma-aware approach
My work is trauma-informed and consent-led.
Depending on what’s helpful, sessions may draw on:
clinical hypnotherapy
mindfulness-based practices
nervous-system-focused techniques
EMDR-informed approaches
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
The emphasis is always on:
safety
choice
regulation
collaboration
We move slowly enough for your system to feel supported, not overwhelmed.
PTSD, complex trauma, and trauma responses
Some people identify with a diagnosis such as PTSD or complex PTSD. Others simply recognise patterns of trauma responses without labels.
You do not need a diagnosis to work with trauma. What matters is how your system is responding now — and what feels supportive going forward.
Online and in-person support
I work with clients:
online worldwide, and
in person in Chichester and West Sussex
Online sessions can be especially helpful for trauma work, as they allow you to stay in a familiar and controlled environment.
How many sessions will I need?
Trauma work is individual and non-linear.
Some people notice shifts in a relatively small number of sessions; others prefer a longer, more gradual process. There is no fixed timeline, and progress is reviewed together.
There is no pressure to move faster than feels right.
Considering working together
If you’re experiencing trauma responses and are looking for gentle, respectful support, you’re welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.
This is a space to ask questions and explore whether this approach feels right for you.
Important note
Hypnotherapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care where this is needed. Results vary from person to person, and meaningful change depends on individual circumstances and engagement with the process.