Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy in 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. Working with a specialist trauma therapist 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

Working with a complex trauma therapist 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.

Much of the work is with adults living with childhood and complex trauma, where early neglect, abuse, or repeated adverse experience continues to shape adult relationships, self-worth, and the body’s sense of safety. As a complex trauma therapist in London, the emphasis is on pacing: building stability and internal resources first, so that processing does not overwhelm.

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. You can read more about EMDR therapy in London.

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 with a trauma therapist in London, please use our contact form or call the practice directly. We typically have availability within one to two weeks.