Trauma

Experiencing or witnessing distressing events – whether a single incident such as an accident, natural disaster, or assault, or repeated and ongoing experiences such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence – can have a lasting impact. Experiences that involve a sense of helplessness or lack of control may be especially harmful. For some people, this may lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD (CPTSD), which can affect how they think, feel, and respond in everyday life.

Everyone’s experience of trauma is different. Some people might feel constantly on edge, find it hard to relax, or become easily startled. Others may have flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted thoughts about what happened. It's also common to avoid reminders of the event or to experience difficult emotions like sadness, shame, guilt, or anger.

At Open Horizons Psychology, we understand that trauma can affect many parts of a person’s life—how they feel in their body, how they see themselves, and how they connect with others. That’s why we take a trauma-informed approach, offering care that is sensitive to each person’s story and the impact trauma may have had on their wellbeing.

We offer a supportive, non-judgemental space where therapy is tailored to suit each individual’s needs and pace. Depending on what’s helpful, this might involve understanding emotional patterns, building self-awareness and connection, or gently working through painful memories using approaches such as EMDR.

Our team is experienced in supporting both adolescents and adults, and we’re here to help you feel heard, understood, and supported every step of the way.