Traumaform: Transforming Trauma

A systematic, structured and holistic approach to overcoming the effects of trauma

Book an appointment now


Please send an email to enquiries@traumaform.hush.com or call 07496233663

to arrange an appointment and we will get back to you as soon as possible


Trauma Therapy and generic counselling now available face to face, online and by phone


Covering Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Swansea and Lampeter

Online therapy also available


Concessions available

Trauma Therapy can help you work through...

Trauma-informed Counselling and Psychotherapy

  • Individuals, Relationships and Families
  • Structured Group Therapy and Group Activities
  • Addiction Counselling and Interventions
Meet the team

New: Creyos Brain Science - Cognitive Tasks


At Traumaform, we are committed to cognitive health.

We use cognitive performance assessments from Creyos to measure how your brain is doing over time.


See our blog post for more information


Click HERE to try out a demo task!


Welcome to the Traumaform Website!

Traumaform CIC  is a non-profit community interest company dedicated to providing a professional, confidential and affordable service for those trying to recover from trauma and adversity – be that single one off events such as road traffic collisions, natural disasters, sudden death of a loved one, or ongoing situations involving emotional, physical or sexual abuse, witnessing domestic violence, neglect, bullying and any other adverse childhood experiences.  For more information on adverse childhood experiences (Aces) please follow this link https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/adverse-childhood-experiences/.


If you have experienced or witnessed one or more frightening or traumatic events or have endured adverse or stressful situations or relationships in your life, and are not feeling “right” or indeed may never have felt “right”,  you may be suffering from the effects of these traumas. These effects may manifest themselves in a variety of ways including symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder such as intrusive thoughts or images, flashbacks, avoidance of any reminders, nightmares and sleep problems, hyper-vigilance, feeling irritable or on edge, changes in mood, feelings of fear, anger, guilt or shame - or Complex PTSD which would also include difficulties in relationships, problems regulating emotions, feelings of anger or rage, dissociating, feeling a lack of self worth, difficulty trusting and a fractured sense of self. You may be suffering from bouts of depression, anxiety or other difficulties as a result of these difficulties.


Traumaform is dedicated to helping trauma survivors transform the effects of trauma, leading to reduction of symptoms, improved relationships, development of self and identity, hope for the future and the possibility of Post-traumatic Growth.


Over the last years Traumaform has developed and expanded as we have been receiving more referrals due to an increase in awareness of trauma related issues and trauma-informed therapies. We have taken on a number of new qualified and experienced trauma-informed therapists, Traumatologists and Counsellors, as well as new trainee counsellors on placement.

Most recently we have taken on a new admin officer to help co-ordinate all our activities. Please see Traumaform and the Team. We are also expanding to offer more generic counselling to those who feel that Trauma may not be an underlying issue.


Blog


We have a Blog with our latest updates and other potentially useful resources. This is a work in progress, but please feel free to have a look.

We have posted information about Ukraine, various resources, and ways of helping.

Please have a look at the Latest News section.

Covid-19

The collective world-wide Covid-19 pandemic is a trauma that has afftected all of humanity in one way or another in many different dimensions and in individual and unique ways. The psychological impact of direct and indirect effects of Covid-19 and the restrictions under the "lockdown" are immeasurable.


There are concerns that this could lead to long-term mental health issues for many years to come (The Lancet, 2020). Traumaform CIC - as a non-profit organisation - is  looking for funding to help to develop on-line structured programs to increase resilience, improve coping strategies and prevent PTSD and Vicarious Trauma as a result of direct and/or indirect effects of Covid.


Online Therapy


In response to the initial lockdown, Traumaform CIC began to offer online therapies via video-link or phone. We have everything into place to be able to continue to deliver a professional, affordable and safe service in line with BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and Government Guidelines.


Research into online therapy is finding it to be as effective as face to face therapy.  Click here for information about these services and how they work. 


Online therapy may not be appropriate or viable for everyone. As such, we will endeavour to continue to offer face to face therapies in line with Covid-19 Government and BACP safety guidelines.

What we offer

Overview

  • Assessments
  • Individual long and short-term therapy, either face-to-face, via Zoom or phone
  • Relationship counselling as well as working with families affected by trauma
  • Structured group work and workshops:
  • Emotion Regulation Training
  • Writing For Wellbeing
  • Mindfulness Meditations
  • Introduction to Yoga
  • Psychoeducation
  • "Walk and Talk Group"

Trauma Therapy - 3 Phases

  • Phase 1: Stabilisation

    • Safety
    • STAIR (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Relationships)
    • Grounding Techniques
    • Mindfulness and breathwork
    • Occupational Health
    • Yoga
    • Strengthening ego states

    The aim is to provide the resources to facilitate self-regulation and move onto Phase 2 if processing is the goal. Sometimes Phase 1 is all that someone may want.

  • Phase 2: Trauma Processing

    The therapies we offer are trauma-informed, evidence based and/or recommended by NICE Guidelines (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) or WHO (World Health Organisation):

    • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
    • PET (Prolonged Exposure Therapy)
    • IRRT (Image Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy)
    • CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy)
    • NET (Narrative Exposure Therapy)
    • Brainspotting
  • Phase 3: Integration

    • Post-traumatic Growth
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy

    • Adlerian Counselling
    • Transactional Analysis
    • Integrative
    • Humanistic and Person-centred Approaches
    • Addiction Counselling
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Solution-focused Therapy
  • Addiction Counselling

    • CBT based
    • Harm reduction
    • 12 Step Minnesota Modal Plus
  • Trauma and Addiction

    • Seeking Safety
    • EMDR
    • Brainspotting with Addictions
  • Trainee Counsellor Placements

    Traumaform CIC has recently taken on 2 trainee counsellors on placement, which means that sessions in the initial phase of Trauma Therapy can be offered at significantly reduced cost. We are open to receiving further applications for any counsellors or psychotherapists in training needing a placement with an interest in all aspects of trauma.

  • Supervision and Training

    Traumaform CIC provides professional Trauma Supervision to those working with Trauma related issues, as well as a bespoke Training Programme and Workshops for professionals interested in learning more about this multi-faceted field.


    Any support that can be offered in terms of donations and/or volunteering will go a long way in helping making therapy accessible and affordable for all. There is a donate button further down the page!


    This website is a work in progress. For more information or support around trauma related issues please see the Resource Section which includes references and bibliography please click here.


    Traumaform CIC has recently received Organisational Membership of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

Fees

Fees can be discussed in the initial informal chat. Please don't be afraid to ask about concessions at any point during therapy as situations may change. 

Please feel free to browse through these pages for some basic information on frequently asked questions such as:

To read about Traumaform’s aims and mission statement please click here.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

What is Trauma?

The word “trauma” is derived from the Greek word meaning “wound”,  and can apply to physical as well as psychological injury.

Therapy can help to alleviate symptoms of PTSD and Complex Trauma in a structured and systematic way. These changes do not happen overnight and it takes courage to make that first step onto a bridge into the unknown. In therapy this step is not taken alone.


Please feel free to browse the therapy pages to find out more about what to expect. All therapies offered are evidence based and/or recommended by either the NICE guidelines (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), the APA (American Psychiatric Association), and/or approved by the BPS (British Psychological Society).

It is estimated that 75% of all people will be exposed to trauma of one kind or another during their life-times – in some ways trauma can be seen as a natural part of existence. The majority of individuals will experience grief, loss, and bereavement at some point in their life, and as with trauma, many people process this over time and heal naturally from their wounds. 



Research has found that roughly 20% of people exposed to trauma will go on to develop symptoms of PTSD of varying degrees. Through many years of evolution our brains have developed some very effective ways of adapting to and coping with trauma, yet sometimes this process becomes disrupted, leading to dysregulation. 

Traumatic experiences can include:

  • Natural disasters 
  • Air, Rail or Road Accidents
  • Combat exposure, War
  • Rape, Sexual Abuse, Physical Assault
  • Child Sexual or Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse or Neglect

This list is of course not exhaustive. In fact, a traumatic event is anything that is perceived as life threatening and makes us feel terrified, horrified or helpless. 

  • Terrorist Attacks
  • Serious Accidents
  • Major Injuries or Illness
  • Bullying at school or work
  • Death of a loved one, especially if unexpected or due to an accident or suicide

Trauma comes in many forms – often an individual may feel trapped inside themselves and the world feels like a dangerous place. Individuals may avoid contact with people leading to isolation, depression and loneliness. It may feel like living behind a wall or a barbed wire fence – this protects against the outside world but also traps a person within.

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