Trauma Therapy London
Trauma does not end when the event ends. For many people, the experience lives on — in the body, in relationships, in the quiet moments when something triggers a memory and the nervous system reacts as though the danger is still present. Trauma therapy in London, at Philippe Jacquet & Associates, is designed to address this at depth: not just the symptoms, but the underlying neurological and psychological architecture that sustains them.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy that works directly with the effects of traumatic experience. These may include single-incident trauma — an accident, assault, bereavement, or medical event — or complex trauma arising from prolonged exposure to adverse conditions such as childhood neglect, relational abuse, or systemic harm.
At Philippe Jacquet & Associates, trauma therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Our approach draws on EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), somatic work, Jungian depth psychology, and integrative psychotherapy — selected and adapted to the individual’s presentation, history, and therapeutic goals.
Signs You May Benefit from Trauma Therapy
Many people living with the effects of trauma do not identify themselves as “traumatised.” They may simply feel stuck, reactive, chronically anxious, or unable to form the close relationships they want. Common presentations that respond well to trauma therapy include:
- Persistent anxiety, hypervigilance, or difficulty feeling safe
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Emotional numbness, dissociation, or disconnection from the body
- Difficulty trusting others or maintaining close relationships
- Chronic shame, self-blame, or the sense of being fundamentally damaged
- Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause — tension, pain, fatigue
- Patterns of self-destructive behaviour including substance use or self-harm
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy in London
Philippe Jacquet is a senior psychotherapist and Jungian analyst with over two decades of experience working with trauma, addiction, and complex psychological presentations. His approach recognises that trauma is not stored in conscious memory alone — it is held in the body, in relational patterns, and in the deeper layers of the psyche that standard talking therapy often cannot reach.
Trauma therapy at our London practice integrates several evidence-informed modalities. EMDR is used where trauma memories remain unprocessed and highly activated. Somatic awareness techniques help clients reconnect with bodily experience safely and gradually. Jungian work explores the meaning-making dimensions of traumatic experience — the way trauma reshapes identity, worldview, and the relationship to the self.
Throughout, the therapeutic relationship itself is central. Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic alliance is the single most important predictor of positive outcome in trauma therapy. This is taken seriously at every stage of the work.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is one of the most extensively researched trauma treatments available, recommended by both NICE and the World Health Organisation for post-traumatic stress disorder. It works by facilitating the brain’s natural information-processing system to metabolise traumatic memories that have become “stuck” — stored in a fragmented, high-affect form that continues to disturb the present.
At Philippe Jacquet & Associates, EMDR is offered within an integrative frame. Where appropriate, it is combined with preparation work that builds the internal resources and nervous system stability needed to process difficult material safely.
Trauma Therapy in Central London
Our practice is based in central London, offering individual therapy sessions for adults dealing with all forms of trauma — from recent events to childhood developmental trauma. We work with both short-term focused trauma processing and longer-term depth work for those whose trauma history is complex or multi-layered.
Sessions are available in person at our London consulting rooms and online for those who prefer remote therapy or are based outside London.
Begin Trauma Therapy in London
The first step is a confidential assessment session, during which we explore your history, current difficulties, and therapeutic goals. There is no obligation to commit to ongoing work — the assessment is an opportunity to gain a clearer sense of what therapy might offer and whether the approach feels right.
To arrange an initial consultation for trauma therapy in London, please use our contact form or call the practice directly. We typically have availability within one to two weeks.
Trauma Therapy London — Frequently Asked Questions
What types of trauma do you treat?
The practice works with both single-incident trauma (accidents, assault, sudden bereavement, medical events) and complex developmental trauma (childhood neglect or abuse, repeated difficult experiences over time). Philippe Jacquet is EMDR Europe accredited at the highest level and integrates EMDR, Jungian analysis and art psychotherapy within trauma-focused work.
How is trauma therapy different from general counselling?
Trauma sits in the body and nervous system as much as in conscious memory. General counselling — talking through experiences — is often insufficient for trauma because it does not reach where the material is stored. Specialist trauma therapy, including EMDR, works directly with the way distressing memories are held neurologically. Philippe Jacquet has over 20 years of specialist trauma practice.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Single-incident trauma can shift significantly within 6–12 sessions of EMDR. Complex trauma — particularly where the roots are in early experience — typically requires longer work, often 12–24 months of regular therapy. An honest assessment of what is realistic will be given at the initial consultation.
Is trauma therapy available online?
Yes. Trauma therapy including EMDR is delivered effectively via secure video. Philippe Jacquet works with trauma clients across the UK and internationally, including clients in Dubai, Monaco, Nairobi and Brussels.
What if I have tried therapy before and it did not help?
This is a common situation. Many people have had therapy — sometimes significant amounts of it — that has not addressed what is actually there. The combination of EMDR, Jungian depth work and integrative approaches available in this practice can often reach what previous therapy has not. The initial consultation is the right place to explore this honestly.