Trauma and PTSD Counselling in London: Expert Psychotherapy for Recovery

If you’re reading this, something difficult has happened. Perhaps it was months ago, perhaps years. Yet you’re still feeling the effects – the flashbacks that arrive without warning, the constant sense of being on edge, the exhaustion of trying to hold everything together whilst your mind keeps pulling you back to moments you’d rather forget.

You’re not alone, and what you’re experiencing isn’t weakness. It’s trauma.

Around 1 in 10 people in the UK are expected to experience PTSD at some point in their lives. In London, where you might pass thousands of people on your commute, that’s more faces dealing with trauma than you’d imagine. The difference is, many of them are learning to heal – and you can too.

What Is PTSD? Understanding Trauma Symptoms

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops when your mind and body struggle to process a traumatic event or series of events. According to the NHS, PTSD affects about 1 in 3 people who experience trauma, though it’s not entirely clear why some people develop the condition whilst others don’t.

You might recognise these common PTSD symptoms in yourself:

Re-experiencing the trauma: Vivid flashbacks that make you feel like the event is happening again, distressing nightmares, or intrusive memories that arrive without warning. These symptoms occur because your brain hasn’t properly processed the traumatic experience, leaving it “stuck” rather than filed away as a memory.

Avoidance: You might avoid places, people, or conversations that remind you of the trauma. Some people keep extremely busy to distract themselves, whilst others experience emotional numbing – feeling disconnected from emotions or other people.

Hyperarousal: Constant alertness, difficulty sleeping, being easily startled, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. Your body remains in “danger mode” even when you’re safe.

Physical symptoms: Racing heart, dizziness, headaches, or stomach problems. Studies show that people with PTSD continue producing stress hormones even when no longer in danger, which explains these physical manifestations.

Complex PTSD: When Trauma Is Repeated or Prolonged

If you experienced trauma repeatedly or over a long period – particularly in childhood – you may have Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). This includes all the core PTSD symptoms plus additional difficulties.

Recent research shows that approximately 72% of people with probable PTSD actually meet the threshold for Complex PTSD, yet many are still receiving treatment designed for single-incident trauma.

Complex PTSD involves three additional symptom clusters beyond standard PTSD:

Difficulty regulating emotions: You might experience intense anger that seems to come from nowhere, persistent sadness, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed. This emotional dysregulation is common when trauma occurred during developmental years.

Negative self-perception: Deep-seated feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt. You might believe that bad things happen because of something fundamentally wrong with you.

Interpersonal problems: Difficulty trusting others, maintaining relationships, or feeling close to people. When trauma came from those who should have protected you, it fundamentally affects how you relate to others.

Complex PTSD is recognised by the NHS and requires a phased, specialised approach to treatment. Recovery takes longer than with single-incident trauma, but people do heal.

Evidence-Based Treatment: What Actually Works for Trauma

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) sets treatment standards in the UK. Their guidelines are clear: trauma-focused psychological therapy should be your first treatment option, not medication.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)

TF-CBT is recommended by NICE for treating PTSD. This approach helps you process traumatic memories safely whilst identifying and examining trauma-related thoughts and beliefs. You learn coping strategies for managing overwhelming emotions and gradually work through the memories at your own pace.

NICE recommends 8-12 sessions of trauma-focused therapy, though Complex PTSD typically requires longer treatment. Sessions are usually weekly because consistency helps your nervous system re-establish a sense of safety.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is another NICE-recommended treatment for PTSD. This approach helps your brain process traumatic memories that have become “stuck.” During EMDR sessions, you recall traumatic memories whilst following specific eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation.

Many people find EMDR less overwhelming because you don’t necessarily need to describe the trauma in extensive detail. The therapy helps your brain complete the processing it couldn’t do at the time of the trauma.

Buddhist Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach

Mark Shiels offers Buddhist psychotherapy – an integrative approach that combines contemplative practices with evidence-based Western psychological methods. This isn’t religious therapy. You don’t need to be Buddhist or hold any particular spiritual beliefs.

Buddhist psychotherapy brings a unique perspective to trauma work. It recognises both your “core” – the fundamentally whole part of you – and your “process” – how trauma has shaped your responses to the world. Rather than viewing you as damaged, this approach acknowledges both your suffering and your inherent capacity for healing.

The approach integrates mindfulness practices (helpful for managing hyperarousal), develops self-compassion (countering shame), and draws on Jungian psychology, attachment theory, and Gestalt therapy. It’s tailored to what you need, not forcing you into a single methodology.

The London Reality: NHS Waiting Times for Trauma Services

If you’ve tried accessing trauma treatment through the NHS, you know the challenge. Recent analysis shows people are eight times more likely to wait over 18 months for mental health treatment than physical health treatment.

Specialist NHS trauma services openly acknowledge the problem.

Eighteen months is a long time to continue struggling with flashbacks, sleepless nights, and the daily impact of unprocessed trauma. Private therapy offers immediate or very short-wait access to qualified, experienced therapists.

Types of Trauma Addressed in Therapy

Trauma takes many forms. You might be dealing with:

Single-incident trauma: Assault, serious accident, sudden bereavement, or witnessing violence. Even one event can have lasting effects.

Childhood trauma: Abuse, neglect, or growing up in an environment with violence or addiction. These early experiences shape how you see yourself and relate to others.

Relational trauma: Domestic violence, emotional abuse, or betrayal. When trauma comes from relationships, it damages your ability to trust.

Work-related trauma: Particularly relevant if you work in emergency services or healthcare. This includes both specific traumatic incidents and cumulative exposure to distressing situations.

Discrimination-based trauma: The effects of racism, homophobia, transphobia, or other forms of sustained prejudice. Racial trauma and discrimination can cause significant psychological harm.

Whatever has happened to you, your experience matters and therapy can help you process it safely.

Your Therapist: Mark Shiels, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist

Mark Shiels is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist practising in London. He trained at the Karuna Institute, the only fully accredited Buddhist psychotherapy training in Western Europe, and holds an MPhil in Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin.

His approach is warm, non-judgmental, and centred on your experience. You work at your own pace, and you’re never pressured to discuss anything before you’re ready. Mark has extensive training in trauma work, including complex presentations.

His integrative approach draws on Buddhist psychology, Jungian analysis, attachment theory, and Gestalt therapy. He’s been influenced by trauma specialists including Mark Epstein and Donald Kalsched, who understand how to work with deep psychological wounds.

Mark runs a fully inclusive, equal opportunities practice. London’s diversity is one of its strengths, and he works with people from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

Practical Information: Accessing Trauma Counselling

Locations:

• Central London: 8 Hop Gardens, St Martins Lane, WC2N 4EH (near Covent Garden and Leicester Square)
• North London: NW3 2NP

Both locations offer private, comfortable spaces designed for confidential therapy sessions.

Online Therapy: Mark also offers sessions via Zoom, telephone, or FaceTime. Online therapy provides the same quality of care as face-to-face sessions and works well if you prefer speaking from your own space or are located elsewhere in the UK.

Session Structure: Sessions are typically 50 minutes, held weekly. Regular, consistent support matters when you’re healing from trauma. Your nervous system needs predictable safety to begin processing difficult experiences.

Getting Started: You don’t need a GP referral. You can contact Mark directly to arrange an initial consultation. This first meeting is an opportunity to discuss what’s brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping to achieve, and whether the approach feels right for you. There’s no pressure to commit to ongoing therapy after the initial meeting.

Common Questions About Trauma and PTSD Therapy

Can trauma be treated years after it happened?

Yes. PTSD can be successfully treated even many years after the traumatic event. Your brain retains its capacity to heal and process experiences. It’s never too late to seek help.

Do I have to describe everything in detail?

Not necessarily. With EMDR, you don’t always need to verbally recount every detail. Even with talking therapies, you work at your own pace. You’re never forced to discuss anything you’re not ready for.

How long does trauma therapy take?

It varies by individual and type of trauma. NICE recommends at least 8-12 sessions for PTSD. Complex PTSD typically requires longer treatment. Progress is reviewed regularly and treatment adjusted as needed.

What if I’m already on an NHS waiting list?

Private therapy doesn’t affect your NHS waiting list position. Some people use private therapy whilst waiting for NHS services. Others find private therapy meets their needs and continue in private practice.

Will I have to relive the trauma?

Good trauma therapy is specifically designed to prevent retraumatisation. You begin with stabilisation – building coping strategies and establishing safety – before processing traumatic memories. The work is paced, careful, and manageable. You remain in control throughout.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Research shows that only around 1 in 3 people with PTSD talk to their GP about their mental health in a given year. Most people suffering with trauma symptoms struggle in silence, worried about being judged or unsure where to turn.

But reaching out isn’t weakness. It’s recognition that you deserve support. That your suffering matters. That recovery is possible.

Trauma changes your brain, but with appropriate support, people do heal. The flashbacks become less frequent and less intense. The constant vigilance eases. Sleep returns. You rebuild trust in yourself and others. You reclaim your life.

Contact Mark Shiels:

• Phone: 07973 890 164 or 020 7209 3224
• Email: mark@buddhistpsychotherapy.org.uk

Trauma and PTSD counselling available in Central London (Covent Garden, WC2) and online throughout the UK. Initial consultations welcome.

You’ve already survived the trauma. Now it’s time to move beyond survival to recovery.