Specialist therapy for PTSD, cptsd, and complex trauma
What to Expect
In case we haven’t met…
Hi, I’m Claire. I work with adults living with PTSD and complex trauma.
We’ll look at what your mind and body have been protecting you from, and how those responses still show up now – shutting down, staying on alert, pleasing others, overthinking. They made sense at the time. Now we can look at what you need instead.
Sometimes that means working with memories that still feel close. Sometimes it’s the inner critic. Sometimes it’s learning what safety feels like. And often, it’s realising you don’t have to earn compassion.
I use trauma-focused approaches that help us do this gently and at your pace.
You won’t be expected to tell me everything straight away. We’ll notice how it feels to be in the room together. You set the pace, and I’ll be honest with you.
People often tell me therapy felt different this time - not lighter or easier, but safer and more understood.
How it Works
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’ve been coping on your own for a long time. You don’t have to decide everything right away.
1
Free 15-Minute Call
A simple space to ask questions and get a feel for how I work.
You can share why you’re considering therapy now, and I’ll explain what the process might look like.
There’s no pressure to decide on the call. I’ll send an email with everything we discuss so you can think it over in your own time.
2
Initial Assessment
We explore how your past shows up in your reactions and coping patterns today.
You won’t need to go into details about your traumatic experiences. This session is about making sense of what feels hard now and planning next steps at your pace.
3
1:1 Trauma Therapy
In ongoing sessions we explore what your system reacts to, the patterns that developed to protect you, and the beliefs that still shape how you respond.
We use a mix of self-compassion work, skills for managing reactions, and memory updating, adapting the approach to what you need each session.
Sessions and Fees
Sessions and assessments are usually 60 minutes (£125). If you know from past therapy or feel that a different length works better for you, we can adjust. The fee simply reflects the time we agree on. Most people start weekly, but fortnightly sessions are also an option if that feels more manageable.
Most sessions are online via secure video with a limited number of in-person appointments available in South West London.
1-1 Trauma Therapy
£125 | 60-minute session
Therapy can support you if you…
• Feel constantly on alert or find it hard to relax, even when nothing is happening
• Have flashbacks, nightmares, or memories that feel very real in the present
• Carry guilt or shame about what happened, or about how you’ve coped
• Feel torn between wanting closeness and finding it overwhelming
• Find self-compassion uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or unsafe
• Want to understand why you react the way you do, and find other options
Over time, many people begin to see these responses for what they are: survival. They weren’t signs that something was wrong with you; they were ways your mind and body protected you.
When we can understand that, it becomes easier to explore gentler, steadier ways of responding now.
Working with self-harm and suicidal thoughts
It’s common for people I work with to experience self-harm or passive thoughts about not wanting to be here. We can explore these in therapy and work towards safer ways to cope, as long as things feel safe enough to be in treatment and there isn’t immediate risk to your life.
If other services are involved, I ask that the support offered is something you're actively using and finding helpful, rather than just formally in place. If things feel unsafe in the moment or need emergency care, crisis support may be more appropriate than a therapy session.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Sessions are currently online via secure video.
In-person sessions in Wimbledon and Clapham will be available from January 2027. If that’s something you’re interested in, let me know and I’ll keep you updated. -
The first session is a chance to get to know each other and talk about what you’d like support with. You don’t need to share everything at once. We’ll go at your pace. It’s also a space to ask questions and get a sense of how working together might feel.
-
You can cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours’ notice.
Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice are charged in full.
If I ever need to cancel, I’ll give you as much notice as possible. -
No. We start by making sense of what’s happening day-to-day and building safety. We’ll only work with memories when you feel ready and want to.
-
This is something we can work with in therapy, as it’s common after trauma. We’ll focus on understanding what’s driving it and finding safer ways to cope. If there’s a risk of needing emergency care, crisis services will need to be involved as well, either before therapy continues or alongside it.
If you're linked in with other support, I ask that it’s something you're actively using and finding helpful, rather than just formally in place.
-
Most people start weekly. Fortnightly can work too if that feels more manageable. We’ll decide together based on what you need.
-
It can feel uncomfortable at times, especially when talking about painful experiences. But trauma therapy shouldn’t push you beyond what you can cope with. We’ll work within what feels safe enough, with ways to steady yourself if things feel intense.
-
It depends on your goals and what you want to work on. Some people come short-term to stabilise things; others stay longer to work through deeper layers. We’ll review regularly.
As a general guide:
PTSD is often treated in 12–20 sessions.
Complex or long-term trauma usually takes longer—often 20+ sessions.
We’ll talk about what feels realistic and keep checking in as things shift.
Ready to explore whether therapy feels right for you?
A short conversation can help you work out what you need and whether this feels like a good fit.