Frequently Asked Questions

What is relational trauma and how does it affect adults?

Relational trauma refers to repeated experiences in childhood or adolescence where emotional needs weren’t met reliably, through criticism, unpredictability, emotional neglect, or relationships that felt overwhelming or unsafe. These experiences can shape how you learn to relate to yourself and others.

In adulthood, this can show up as being highly self‑critical, feeling responsible for everyone else, shutting down emotionally, struggling to trust, or feeling “fine on the outside but unsettled on the inside.” Many people function well day to day yet still carry patterns that make life feel heavier than it needs to be. These responses are understandable in context, and they can be worked with gently and effectively

How does therapy for relational trauma work?

Psychological therapy helps you understand how your patterns developed and why they once made sense. We explore your experiences at a pace that feels manageable, always keeping you within your window of tolerance. Together we look at what gets triggered, how shame or self‑criticism shows up, and what helps you feel more grounded and connected.

Over time, the aim is to soften old survival strategies and create more space for confidence and clarity in moving towards what matters to you as well. The work is collaborative, thoughtful, and tailored to what you need.

What if I am not sure therapy will help?

It is normal to feel uncertain. Many people come to therapy unsure whether it will work, and that is okay. In your first session, we can talk about what you hope for and whether working together seems like a good fit. If you have questions before we meet, I am happy to answer them.

Will I need to talk about everything that happened?

Not necessarily. Some people find it helpful to talk through what happened; others prefer to focus on how it is affecting them now and what they want to change. We can work at a pace that feels right for you, and you are always in control of what you share.

What specialist therapies do you offer?

I draw on a range of well‑established, research‑supported therapies so we can shape the work around what feels most helpful for you. My core approaches include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a structured, evidence‑based therapy recommended by the NHS for many difficulties, helping you understand patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
• Trauma‑focused CBT, a specialist approach for PTSD and complex trauma, used widely in the NHS and grounded in NICE guidelines.
• Compassion‑Focused Therapy (CFT), helpful for people who struggle with shame or self‑criticism, supporting a kinder and more balanced relationship with yourself.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – helping you build psychological flexibility and move towards what matters most to you
• EMDR, an evidence‑based therapy for trauma that supports the brain’s natural processing of distressing memories.
• DBT informed skills training, useful for strengthening emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and steadiness in relationships.

Because I’m trained in several models, I can offer integrative therapy, drawing thoughtfully from different approaches to tailor the work to your needs, rather than taking a one‑size‑fits‑all path.

How do I know if this is the right kind of therapy for me?

This approach may be a good fit if you:

• are functioning well but feel unsettled internally
• struggle with self criticism, shame, or emotional shutdown
• feel disconnected in relationships
• have a sense of not being good enough or not feeling safe
• want to understand and change long standing patterns

It may not be the right fit if you are currently at risk, or if you’ve needed intensive support from adult mental health services. I work short hours, don’t offer crisis support, and can’t provide contact between sessions.

What Happens in Sessions and How Do We Keep the Work Safe?

Sessions are structured but flexible, and we always go at a pace that feels manageable. You stay in control of what we explore. We might look at how certain patterns developed, how past relationships shaped your responses, what happens in your body during moments of overwhelm, and ways to soften shame and build self‑compassion. We also focus on helping you feel more grounded day to day.

To support this, we use simple grounding exercises and strategies to help you stay steady in the room. We agree together on a plan for the work so you always know what we’re doing and why.

Safety is central. We don’t move into trauma memories until you have enough stability and resources to manage them confidently.

What happens in the first session?

Your first session is calm and supportive. It’s sometimes called an assessment, but in practice it’s simply a chance for us to understand what you need and help you feel settled. We’ll talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping for, and begin forming a shared understanding of what’s going on.

If you feel comfortable, we might touch briefly on any important experiences or relationships that have shaped things for you so far. This helps us get a clearer picture without going into anything too deeply.

It’s also a chance for us both to get a sense of whether we feel like a good fit to work together. By the end, we’ll agree on some initial next steps so you know what the work will look like.

Most people say they leave the first session feeling clearer and more grounded.

How long will I need to have therapy?

This varies from person to person. Some people find a shorter piece of work helpful, while others prefer a steadier, longer‑term approach. In our first few sessions we’ll get a sense of what you need, and we’ll review this together as we go so the work stays at a pace that feels manageable.

How frequently will we need to meet?

Most people come weekly to begin with, as this helps the work feel consistent and safe. As things settle, some choose to move to fortnightly sessions. We’ll agree the rhythm together based on what feels supportive for you.

What are your fees for individual therapy?

Individual therapy sessions are £140 for 60 minutes. Fees reflect doctoral‑level training, specialist expertise, and the level of professional regulation required of Clinical Psychologists. Sessions include assessment, formulation, and evidence‑based therapy tailored to your need.

Support Network occasionally reviews fees, and any changes are communicated with plenty of notice. This is always done transparently and in line with the information in the Terms & Conditions.