Trauma and PTSD therapy in London
What is trauma-focused CBT for PTSD?
Trauma leaves a memory the brain has filed under present danger, so it intrudes as flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance as though the threat were still here. Trauma-focused CBT, which NICE recommends for PTSD, processes the memory safely, at a pace you control, so the brain can file it as past and the body can stop responding as if it were now. At The Lyceum, Sanah Younis, a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, delivers this in Chiswick, Ealing and Richmond, or online. If you are in crisis, call 999 or attend A&E. Assessment considers the kind of trauma, current safety, support and whether trauma-focused CBT is appropriate. The work distinguishes trauma-focused CBT from EMDR, which is not currently offered. Does this sound familiar? A sound, image or scent can pull your nervous system back into a past event. You are avoiding reminders, sleep is disrupted or your body stays on alert. The past feels present even when you know you are safe now. The signed approach is Trauma-Focused CBT with safe narrative exposure. It is paced, collaborative work that helps the brain update a traumatic memory from a present danger to a concluded chapter. EMDR is outside the current clinical offering. What could become more possible More room for the present without the past repeatedly taking over. A greater sense of choice around reminders, relationships and daily life. How we measure progress Measures may be used alongside assessment to understand the pattern and its impact. They do not diagnose you or replace a conversation about safety, history and current support. GAD-7 alongside PCL-5. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or attend A&E. A therapy website cannot provide urgent crisis support. The client is sitting on my sofa, but their nervous system is anchored in the past. For them, the trauma is not filed away as history; it is experienced as a present, ongoing threat. A sound or a scent can trigger an immediate, autonomic response that defies logic. They aren't merely remembering the pain; they are reliving it. Our deeply sensitive work is to help the brain update its timeline, safely processing the memory so it can transition from a present danger to a concluded chapter.
Practical questions
How long does CBT for trauma and ptsd take?
The pace and scope are set through assessment. Where focused work or a formal review is appropriate, this is agreed collaboratively rather than assumed from a page.
How much does trauma and ptsd therapy cost in London?
Published fees are £110 for online appointments and £140 for face-to-face sessions. Current availability, practical arrangements and funding options can be discussed before booking. View fees and funding information.
Frequently asked questions
Is trauma-focused CBT the same as EMDR?
No. Trauma-focused CBT is the current trauma modality offered here. EMDR is not currently offered.
Will I have to describe everything immediately?
No. Assessment and treatment are paced collaboratively, with attention to safety, readiness and support.
Can CBT help with complex trauma?
Complex trauma needs careful, paced assessment. Whether trauma-focused CBT is appropriate is considered individually rather than assumed.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD occurs when the brain fails to file a traumatic event as a memory, treating it instead as a present, ongoing danger. This manifests as sudden flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and an intense urge to avoid anything reminding you of the event. Through trauma-focused CBT, we collaboratively help the brain update its timeline, safely processing the memory so it becomes a concluded chapter rather than a present threat.
How does trauma-focused CBT work?
The signed approach uses trauma-focused CBT with safe narrative exposure. It is paced, collaborative work that helps the brain update a traumatic memory from present danger to a concluded chapter, with readiness and support considered throughout.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Single-incident work may be more focused, while complex trauma is paced and open-ended. Assessment considers safety, current support and the nature of the trauma before agreeing whether trauma-focused CBT and its pace are appropriate.