Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact of experiencing or witnessing deeply distressing events such as abuse, violence, accidents or loss which can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include intrusive memories such as flashbacks or nightmares, negative changes in mood and thinking, hypervigilance and avoiding reminders of the event. PTSD can impact anyone and doesn’t always appear immediately.
Birth trauma refers to the physical and/or psychological distress experienced by a mother or baby during or after childbirth. This may follow complications such as injury, a difficult labour or medical interventions. Psychologically, it may occur when the birth experience feels frightening, overwhelming or out of control. In some cases these difficulties can contribute to conditions like PTSD or postpartum depression where individuals may feel low in mood, anxious, or struggle to process what happened.
Complex PTSD (often called C-PTSD) can develop after someone goes through long-lasting or repeated trauma, especially when they feel trapped or unable to escape such as in cases of ongoing abuse, neglect, or living in a very unsafe environment. It includes PTSD symptoms such as experiencing flashbacks and feeling constantly on edge but also adds deeper difficulties. People with C-PTSD may struggle with managing emotions, have a negative view of themselves, find it hard to trust others, or feel disconnected from the world around them.
Therapy can play a vital role in healing from trauma by providing a safe, supportive space to process experiences and reduce distress. Approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) help individuals gradually make sense of traumatic memories, develop coping strategies and rebuild a sense of safety and control over their lives.
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist and with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as a Chartered Psychologist. I am a member of the Division of Counselling Psychology and the EMDR Association UK.
If you’d like more information, wish to refer a client, or would like to arrange an initial appointment, please get in touch.
You can contact me by completing the form below or emailing me at enquiries@stephanieedwards.co.uk.
Please note I do not offer crisis work. If you are in need of urgent support with your mental health please contact your GP or NHS Direct on 111. If you are in a life-threatening situation or cannot keep yourself safe go to your local A&E and, if you cannot get there safely, call 999.
