We understand that traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on your life, and we are here to support you on your journey to healing and recovery. At MCL Medics, we take a compassionate and evidence-based approach to trauma counselling.
Our team is made up of licensed and experienced therapists who specialise in trauma counselling. They are deeply committed to providing your team with the guidance and support they need during their healing journey. We recognise that trauma is a highly personal experience, and we treat each individual as such.
Tailored treatment plans
We believe in the power of personalised care. Each person’s trauma experience is unique, and so are their needs and goals. That’s why we approach every user individually, customising our treatment recommendations to align with their specific experiences. Our range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques includes:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely respected method for addressing and managing trauma. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helping individuals reshape their thought patterns to regain control over their lives.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an innovative and effective approach to processing traumatic memories. By reprocessing distressing memories, EMDR helps reduce the emotional charge associated with these events, making them more manageable.
Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness techniques are powerful tools for reconnecting with the present moment and promoting emotional healing. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can develop greater emotional resilience and reduce the impact of trauma on their daily lives.
Flexible Counselling Options
Recognizing that everyone’s journey is different, we offer both face-to-face and online counselling services. Regardless of the medium, our sessions are always conducted by professional therapists who are well-trained to address the unique challenges that trauma can present.
At MCL Medics, we are more than just therapists; we are partners on your path to recovery. We are here to help you, and your team, regain control, find healing, and move towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Our services can be accessed face-to-face or online, and will be held with professional therapists who are trained to address the unique challenges that trauma can induce.
To find out more about this service, please enter your details into the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can occur after someone has been through a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include nightmares, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression and avoidance of things that remind the person of the trauma.
Trauma-focused therapy can help people understand and process their experiences, develop new coping skills, and reduce symptoms of PTSD.
This type of therapy also focuses on helping the person develop a support system, which can be important for recovery. While there are several types of trauma-focused therapy, all of them involve gradually working through the memories and emotions associated with the traumatic event. The goal is to help the individual process these experiences in a safe and supportive environment to begin healing.
One of the functions of trauma counselling is to help employees dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can present itself in various ways depending on severity. Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include;
- Relieving aspects of what happened – This manifests in different ways, including having vivid flashbacks that feel like the trauma is happening right now, intrusive thoughts or images, nightmares, intense distress caused by real or symbolic reminders of the trauma and physical sensations such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.
- Alertness or feeling on edge – This can include panicking when you remember the trauma, being easily upset or angry, extreme alertness sometimes leading to hypervigilance, disturbed or lack of sleep, irritability or aggressive behaviour, being easily startled and other signs of anxiety.
- Avoiding feelings or memories – PTSD patients might constantly try to keep busy, avoid anything that reminds them of the trauma, be unable to remember details of what happened, feel emotionally numb or cut off from their feelings, feel physically numb or detached from their body, unable to express affection, be reckless or do things that could be self-destructive, turn to alcoholism and drugs to avoid the memories.
- Difficult beliefs or feelings – Another standard set of symptoms is feeling like you can’t trust anyone, feeling like nowhere is safe, feeling like nobody understands, blaming yourself for what happened, and overwhelming feelings of anger, guilt, sadness or shame.
PTSD symptoms can vary depending on the nature of the trauma causing the condition. Various patients present different symptoms, hence the importance of trauma counselling to remedy any lasting effects caused by the trauma.
What is Trauma Counselling?
Trauma counselling is a type of talking therapy that helps to manage the emotional responses you experience as a result of a traumatic event. It is also called trauma debriefing. There are several different types of trauma counselling, each dedicated to a specific class of trauma.
Through the initial stages of trauma counselling, we seek to identify the type of trauma an employee could be suffering from and provide the appropriate type of trauma counselling for them.
Trauma focused CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help individuals address the emotional and psychological effects of trauma. The therapy is typically short-term and focused on specific, identified traumatic events. It involves several key components, including psychoeducation about trauma and its effects, relaxation and stress management techniques, cognitive restructuring to address distorted thought patterns, and gradual exposure to traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
This therapy method uses rhythmic bilateral (left to right) stimulation to release emotions blocked by traumatic events.
Our trained and experienced accredited EMDR Therapists can easily and quickly determine the best type of therapy for the patient and provide the best support and care for their mental, emotional and physical well-being.
We also tailor our trauma counselling services to the individual’s needs, allowing us to provide solution-based care and support that yields remarkable results.
How Can Counselling Help with Trauma and PTSD?
Trauma and PTSD, in general, are highly complex in nature and, therefore, don’t have a single specific cure. It requires a multi-faceted approach, but in most cases, counselling is an excellent place to start.
Counselling can help employees with trauma and PTSD in various ways, such as;
Cognitive restructuring
Typically, the brain creates negative thought associations after a traumatic experience. These associations affect how you view the situation and make the symptoms of PTSD worse.
Often, these associations are disjointed and inaccurate, leading to a skewed memory of the event.
Identifying and unravelling these negative thought patterns with the help of a counsellor can help the individual view the situation more clearly and respond to it more effectively.
Managing symptoms
Counselling therapy also goes a long way in helping manage various symptoms of trauma and PTSD. With counselling, you can get a treatment plan to address those symptoms and help individuals develop new cognitive behaviours and strategies that help them cope in better ways that reduce the effects of the trauma.
While trauma and PTSD have an immense impact on a person, having support services and guidance from our licensed counselling therapists can help you overcome the trauma and progress with the healing process, ultimately improving your quality of life.
Benefits of Trauma Counselling?
Trauma counselling has been found to reduce the negative feelings and after-effects of trauma. But its benefits go far beyond;
Improved physical health
Besides affecting your mental and emotional health, trauma can also affect your physical health by creating sleeping problems and other physical symptoms. Trauma counselling takes a holistic, mind-body approach that helps improve the body’s overall state.
Improved mental health
Your mind is among the first beneficiaries of trauma counselling. It helps to reduce reactivity to mental health triggers. It allows your brain to handle better memories or situations that mimic the traumatic event, resulting in a better state of mind.
Re-envisioning and redefining self
Experiencing trauma can disrupt your sense of stability and self-assurance. Through trauma counselling, you can regain a heightened comfort level within yourself, fostering a newfound confidence and capability to navigate life with greater ease.
Safely navigate the world
People living with unaddressed trauma are in a constant state of fear and danger of being re-traumatised. One of the benefits of trauma counselling is finally being able to go about your daily life without worrying about the trauma arising again and causing pain.
You can trust again
With the help of a therapist, you can rebuild your ability to trust other people, your surroundings, and even yourself. Living without the ability to trust can be devastating. So, rebuilding trust is crucial in helping you heal from the trauma and take on life confidently.