Relational Trauma Therapy, Clinical Supervision & Professional Training

When the past still shows up in the present

Sometimes we know that what happened to us was traumatic. At other times, it can be harder to name.

Relational trauma can occur when hurt, fear, neglect, disconnection or a lack of safety happens within relationships where we needed or expected care, protection and connection.

It can include experiences of childhood abuse or neglect, domestic and family violence, sexual assault, coercive or controlling relationships, attachment disruption or emotional invalidation. It can also come from growing up without the consistent safety, attunement and emotional support you needed.

Even when those experiences are in the past, you may still notice their impact in the present.

You might find it difficult to feel safe or fully relax in relationships. You might question your feelings or needs, struggle to trust yourself or others, find boundaries difficult, or feel responsible for other people's emotions.

You may become overwhelmed by conflict, rejection or disconnection. Or perhaps you long for connection, while another part of you works hard to protect you from getting too close.

Sometimes you can know you're safe now, while something inside you still doesn't quite feel safe.

In therapy, we can make space to understand these responses in the context of what you have experienced — with curiosity about how they developed, what they may have helped you manage or protect yourself from, and what you might need now.

How can therapy help?

Therapy isn't only about exploring what happened in the past. An important part of the work can be developing resources and support in the present before approaching experiences that may have been difficult to hold alone.

Our work together might involve:

• developing strategies to support emotional regulation and a greater sense of safety

• becoming curious about patterns, beliefs and responses that developed through earlier experiences

• understanding protective responses and the parts of you that may have developed ways of coping or keeping you safe

• exploring boundaries, self-trust and your capacity to recognise and respond to your own needs

• noticing how past relational experiences may be showing up in relationships now

• processing traumatic or distressing experiences when you have the readiness and capacity to do so.

The work isn't about pushing past protective responses or moving faster than feels manageable. We work collaboratively, with attention to safety, pacing and what you need along the way.

My work draws primarily from evidence-based modalities such as EMDR and Relational Integrative EMDR, Resource Therapy, Polyvagal Theory and DBT-informed practice, allowing me to adapt the way we work to your individual needs, experiences and therapeutic goals.