Counselling and emotional one-to-one support 

Private counselling for medical trauma

At the centre of every traumatic experience is a human being who derives meaning from that experience. It's that meaning making that becomes pivitol to understanding how complex medical trauma is......

What is medical trauma? As a  technical definition, "medical trauma is a trauma that occurs from  direct contact with the medical setting, and develops through a complex interaction between the patient, medical staff, medical environment, and the diagnostic and/or procedural experience, which can have powerful psychological impact due to the patient’s unique interpretation of the event." (Flaum Hall, M. Hall, S.E. 2017) It can be experienced directly or vicariously and is different from other types of trauma, partly because we question our safety in a place where we should feel safe (e.g: a hospital), and also because over our lifetime we are inevitably re-exposed to a medical environment, either for ourselves or a loved one. Even more complex are the seven secondary crises that often result from medical trauma, developmental, avocational, existential, relational, occupational, spiritual and intrapersonal.  These relate to changes in one or more life domains after either a chronic life changing illness or accident, a life threatening diagnosis,  a routine operation or examination that has impacted in a negative way  or hasn’t gone according to plan. Any of these experiences can result in challenges unique to the individual and their families that impact on our quality of life and how we see the world. These challenges can be exacerbated further if a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  has been made,  or post traumatic symptoms are being experienced.

“I cannot thank Colette enough nor recommend her services more highly……”

Medical trauma psychotherapy focuses on understanding and validating the nature and effects of a traumatic experience that has a connection to the medical environment. Anything medically related that causes an unwelcome change in circumstances and quality of life can make us feel unsafe, unheard, silenced, depressed, anxious,  isolated and frightened, leading to medical avoidance and hyper vigilance.  The meaning we make from our medical trauma can directly impact how we see ourselves and our identity. Our identity is tied to how competent we feel (e.g. if we are good at something), that we are worthwhile, (that we matter), and accepted (that we belong), which all promote a positive self-concept. (Hall 2006) Losing any of these components can result in a change of identity which can be unfamiliar and frightening. Psychotherapy can help us understand the body/brain connection and it's impact on our nervous system and threat systems. It can stabilise us, help us gain control back  and where necessary help to re-process the event so that the world starts to feel a less frightening place to be. Whilst it cannot change the fact that a traumatic or unwelcome event  has occurred, access to a service offering emotional support at a time when we are at our most vulnerable can offer enormous relief, validating our experience and helping us to cope with the present and future in a more manageable way.

“If anyone is feeling as though they are struggling and are afraid to ask for help consider reaching out to Colette. It was the best decision I could have made and I am finally getting back to being myself thanks to her……”

Heart 2 Hart Counselling provides specialist one-to-one personal therapy, tailor-made to suit you and your circumstances, offering emotional support for medical trauma and medical trauma related anxiety.   As Colette now works with clients across the UK and abroad, sessions are  held on-line and are up to 75 minutes in length. Psycho-educational support with any necessary tools and/or further information is also included via email where necessary.

Fees:
Initial telephone consultation up to 30 mins: FREE          

• Therapy sessions: £110 (75 mins) via zoom    
• Group therapy sessions available; please ask for information 
• Legal/insurance/medical supporting progress reports: From £250
  
• Appointments are booked directly with Colette and payment is by direct transfer prior to your session.
• The number of sessions required depends entirely on your individual needs, and your initial assessment session. Regular mutual feedback means you can budget accordingly and it is suggested that sessions are weekly or fortnightly. 
• We kindly request our Cancellation Policy be adhered to otherwise a charge will need to be made.

The part can never be well unless the whole is well.......... Plato

Counselling  |  | Healthcare