Therapy for trauma & PTSD
Trauma isn't 'in the past' if your body still reacts as though it's happening now. Talk to a UK therapist trained in EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, or somatic approaches. NICE-recommended therapies, verified credentials, free 15-minute discovery call.
What we mean by trauma
Trauma is what's left in the body and the nervous system after an experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope at the time. It can come from a single event (an accident, an assault, a sudden bereavement) or from chronic, repeated experiences (childhood neglect, ongoing abuse, sustained medical trauma, war).
About 4% of UK adults have PTSD at some point. Complex PTSD (cPTSD) — recognised in ICD-11 — affects more, particularly people whose trauma was relational and ongoing rather than a single incident. Many people who don't tick the formal PTSD criteria still live with the after-effects.
NICE NG116 (the UK guideline for PTSD) recommends trauma-focused CBT and EMDR as first-line treatments for adults. For complex or developmental trauma, longer-term phase-based work — building stability and resources first, then processing — is the standard.
Common signs and symptoms:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or vivid nightmares
- Strong physical reactions to reminders (heart racing, breathlessness, dissociation)
- Avoidance — places, people, conversations linked to what happened
- Hyperarousal — feeling constantly on edge, exaggerated startle response
- Negative shifts in mood, beliefs, or sense of self
- Emotional numbness or feeling cut off from yourself or others
- Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, regulating emotion
- For complex trauma: chronic shame, relational difficulties, identity disturbance
Evidence-based therapies for trauma
EMDR
NICE-recommended for adult PTSD. Often resolves single-incident trauma in 6-12 sessions. Look for therapists accredited by the EMDR UK & Ireland Association.
Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT)
Also NICE-recommended for adult PTSD; the most-evidenced talking therapy for trauma. Combines stabilisation, processing, and reintegration.
Phase-based approach for complex trauma
For complex / developmental trauma (cPTSD), most ethical approaches are phase-based: stability and resourcing first, processing only when the nervous system can handle it, integration last. Skipping the first phase causes harm.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Peter Levine's body-based approach to trauma, working with the autonomic nervous system. Particularly useful when talking-only therapies haven't reached the somatic residue.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Richard Schwartz's parts-based model. Useful for complex trauma where the aftermath shows up as a fragmented inner experience — different parts pulled in different directions.
Specialist services
For sexual violence: Rape Crisis (rapecrisis.org.uk), SurvivorsUK (survivorsuk.org). For refugees and torture survivors: Freedom from Torture (freedomfromtorture.org). All offer free specialist support.
Why work with a MatchyMatch therapist?
Trauma-trained, not generalist
Trauma work needs specific training and supervision. We list therapists with explicit trauma training — EMDR UK & Ireland accreditation, trauma-focused CBT supervised practice, IFS Level 1+, SE training.
Free discovery call
Trauma makes new things feel risky. The first 15-minute call is free; you can ask about training, approach, and pacing before you commit.
NHS for some, private for many
NHS Talking Therapies covers single-incident PTSD reasonably well; for complex trauma, dissociative difficulties, or longer-term phase-based work, private is often the practical route.
Therapy in your language
Trauma processing in a second language is harder than processing in your first. We have trauma therapists working in English and several other languages.
Online or in-person
Online trauma therapy (including EMDR) is well-established and often makes the work more accessible. Some therapists offer in-person where they're local.
Pace that fits your nervous system
Good trauma therapy is paced to your nervous system, not a textbook. We help you match to therapists who understand that.
Why choose MatchyMatch for trauma therapy?
MatchyMatch is a UK platform for trauma therapy. Every therapist holds professional registration — with a UK body (BACP, UKCP, HCPC, BPS) or a recognised international body — so you have verified credentials before you ever pick up the phone. Your first 15-minute discovery call with any therapist is free.
- Free 15-minute discovery call before you commit to trauma therapy
- Verified UK & international credentials (BACP, UKCP, HCPC, BPS, COPSI and others)
- Online or in-person sessions, whichever suits you
- Therapy in English and other languages — including ones the NHS rarely offers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to do trauma therapy?
No. Many people who experience the after-effects of trauma don't tick formal PTSD criteria — it doesn't make the experience less real, and it doesn't disqualify you from therapy. Trauma-focused therapy works with the experience, not the label.
What's the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD?
PTSD typically follows a single or contained event. Complex PTSD (cPTSD), recognised in ICD-11, follows prolonged or repeated trauma — most often relational, often in childhood. cPTSD includes the PTSD symptoms plus chronic difficulties with self-concept, emotional regulation, and relationships. Treatment is similar but typically longer and more phased.
Should I try the NHS first?
NHS Talking Therapies (England) does offer EMDR and trauma-focused CBT for PTSD. Access varies by region and is often patchy for trauma that doesn't fit a clean PTSD frame. If the wait is long or the difficulty is complex/developmental, private is often the practical route.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Single-incident PTSD often resolves with 8-16 sessions of trauma-focused CBT or EMDR. Complex trauma typically runs 1-3 years of phase-based work. Your therapist will be honest about what they expect after assessment.
What does trauma therapy cost in the UK?
EMDR and trauma specialists often charge at the higher end of UK rates — £80-£150 per session is typical. Discovery calls on MatchyMatch are always free.
I'm in crisis right now — what should I do?
If you're at immediate risk, call 999. For urgent NHS help, NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health). Samaritans (116 123) and SHOUT (text 85258) are free, confidential, and open 24/7. For sexual violence: Rape Crisis (0808 500 2222). Therapy is for the longer-term work; in a crisis, please use the services built for crisis.