Trauma and PTSD Counselling in Bristol

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Photo of Bethany Sharpe, Psychotherapist in Bristol, England
Bethany Sharpe
Psychotherapist, MBABCP
Verified
Verified
I offer person-centred CBT for people who want to better understand their difficulties and feel ready to engage in support to make positive change. You may be experiencing a new difficulty or perhaps it's something that has been present for many years. You might have some specific goals for change or maybe you hope to develop some specific coping tools to use in everyday life. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, PTSD , bi-polar disorder, voice hearing and psychosis. I currently work at a University training CBT therapists and supervisors. In Oct 2022 I am training in EMDR, a therapy for treating trauma.
0117 463 0703
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Bristol BS5
& Online
Waitlist for new clients
Photo of Soul Connection Counselling, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Soul Connection Counselling
Counsellor, MNCS Prof Accred
Verified
Verified
Hello and welcome. It can be really hard choosing a counsellor when life feels so very difficult already, hopefully I can help you make up your mind. Are you feeling helpless, hopeless and disconnected from life?  Lonely, depressed or struggling with your relationships? Perhaps you’re experiencing anxiety, stress or post traumatic stress symptoms that impact you on a daily basis. Maybe you’re just feeling stuck in a rut and not sure where to go. Life can often feel messy, but no matter how big or how small your problem feels, we can work together to help you reach a more stable place.
0117 325 2866
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Bristol BS34
& Online
Photo of Charlotte Nash, Psychotherapist in Bristol, England
Charlotte Nash
Psychotherapist, MBABCP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I have clinical experience of working with depression; generalised anxiety disorder (GAD); social anxiety; health anxiety; panic and agoraphobia; specific phobia;s obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ); chronic pain and long-term health issues; bipolar disorder; body dysmorphia; emotional eating; stress; low self-esteem.
I am an accredited cognitive behavioural therapist with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). I have 13 years experience of working in various IAPT primary care services in Bristol including Oasis-Talk and currently Vita Minds. Prior to this I have had several years experience working in social care, working with parental mental health issues and safeguarding children. Whatever your concerns and problems, I can offer you a confidential, non-judgemental and safe space to talk about the things that are concerning you and to explore helpful ways to address these issues together.
0117 463 0818
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Bristol BS5
& Online
Photo of Clare Jones, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Clare Jones
Counsellor, DCounsPsych, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I am an Integrative Counsellor, with extensive experience and specialist training in Trauma Therapy. I work with both adults and adolescents. I draw from several counselling approaches but overall I'm relational and compassion focused. I offer a warm and non-judgmental space where together we can explore any difficulties or challenges you may be facing and express your thoughts and emotions in a safe environment. You may be experiencing low mood, anxiety, PTSD , bereavement or relationship breakdown. Whatever your need, I am here to listen and can help you to make sense of your experiences and feelings and find your own way forward.
01275 403020
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Bristol BS8
& Online
Photo of Andrea Herbert, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Andrea Herbert
Psychologist, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I work with people experiencing difficulties such as comple trauma/ PTSD , anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, inner self critics, stress/burnout & depression; including Veterans. These symptoms can be associated with traumatic events in childhood/adulthood; sexual abuse, personal injury, loss & bereavement, abuse, bullying & domestic violence, active service. I aim to help people recover from the effects of these stressful events on personal functioning & relationships. I also help adjustment to life challenges including health conditions & life transitions; adolescence, parenting, relationship beginning/ending & divorce, & retirement.
Bristol BS6
& Online
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Samantha Lloyd, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Samantha Lloyd
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I have experience of working with clients experiencing a range of emotional difficulties including anxiety, low mood, PTSD , stress and burnout, low self-esteem and shame. I am experienced in working with trauma, adjustment to major life events, loss and bereavement. I also have a special interest in clinical health psychology and in supporting individuals who are experiencing health related emotional difficulties, such as adjusting to living with a diagnosis or physical symptoms, anxiety, low mood or treatment related trauma. I draw flexibly upon a range of evidence based approaches tailored to the individual and their needs.
0117 463 6804
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Bristol BS1
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Mindscape Therapies Ltd in Bristol, England
Mindscape Therapies Ltd
MA
Verified
Verified
Hello, I'm Kate (she/her), a skilled, inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly, creative, warm, empathic and well qualified HCPC registered therapist. I've been an NHS practitioner for 22 years in CAMHS and adult mental health services, and have also worked in private practice for 16 of those! I offer clinical hypnotherapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to children, adolescents and adults. I specialise in working with people with complex trauma (C- PTSD ), and with other mental health needs, such as anxiety, phobias and depression. I also support people to develop a healthy relationship with their body and with food.
0117 463 7184
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Bristol BS6
& Online
Photo of Dr Priya Palmer, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Dr Priya Palmer
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
Reaching out for help can be the hardest first step. You may be feeling stuck or struggling to get through the day. I work with a range of difficulties: PTSD , low mood, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, self-criticism, birth trauma, traumatic and difficult life experiences.
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Bristol BS6
& Online
Photo of Hannah Raine-Smith, Psychotherapist in Bristol, England
Hannah Raine-Smith
Psychotherapist, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
This includes post traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) but I see many mental health issues as the result of this traumatic stress.
I am an integrative therapist specialising in using eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to treat a wide range of psychological issues. I am highly trained in psychotherapy, neuroscience and trauma and believe that our current issues can often be traced back to early adverse experiences in childhood. Compared to standard talking therapy EMDR generally takes a shorter amount of time to get to the root cause of the issue. Rather than just dealing with symptom management (like CBT), EMDR therapy works directly with the cause of your distress.
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Bristol BS1
& Online
Waitlist for new clients
Photo of Dr Jonathan Kenyon, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Dr Jonathan Kenyon
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Forensic Psych.
Verified
Verified
I specialise in EMDR therapy for PTSD /trauma work (see New You EMDR on Facebook).
You may have feelings of dissatisfaction and a sense that you are not getting all that you want from life. You may be finding that every day is a struggle with strong, even overwhelming, feelings of depression, anxiety, stress or anger. I believe we all strive to feel happier and more fulfilled than we currently are. We want to feel a connection with other people and to have a sense that we are leading meaningful, enjoyable lives - even when we feel at a loss as to how to achieve this. I help people overcome their difficulties to become happier, more psychologically healthy and experience an improved quality of life.
0117 463 0480
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Bristol BS16
& Online
Waitlist for new clients
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Anna Browne, Psychotherapist in Bristol, England
Anna Browne
Psychotherapist, UKCP Trainee
Verified
Verified
I have a particular interest in trauma and how it impacts our nervous system: PTSD and C- PTSD , dissociation, hearing voices, addictive behaviours and coping mechanisms and their link to childhood trauma; 'ACE's' (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and how these affect us as adults. Trauma comes in many forms; obvious, overt ones such as physical or sexual abuse, car accidents, war, disasters etc, and also less obvious or covert forms like emotional abuse or neglect, bullying, or just 'not getting what we need' on an emotional level. I'm a member of ISST-D, a trainee member of UKCP and BCPC, and have specialist trauma training.
0117 456 5291
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Bristol BS8
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Nick Morecroft Trauma Counselling, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Nick Morecroft Trauma Counselling
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Do you feel you have issues in your life that are hard to understand or explain? Do you feel like you are struggling with trauma or PTSD ? How would you like to be able to peel back the covers of your problems, find the causes and put them right? Whilst therapy isn't quite as easy as that, with care and really strong support you may be suprised at how much change is possible!
07463 189639
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Bristol BS3
& Online
Photo of Christina Elizabeth Lee, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Christina Elizabeth Lee
Psychologist, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
Verified
If you want to feel happier, less stressed, more appreciative about yourself and your life, then I am here to support you. With 20 years experience in counselling, I believe therapy is a creative act that can change your life. My clients often tell me how much they enjoy our sessions together. I can assist you to understand your inner self, and teach you some great tools to help you move past anxiety or low mood or low self esteem, and start to make the changes you want to. I have plenty of tools to help you with OCD, PTSD or trauma. Please have a look at my website and feel welcome to give me call and have a free chat.
01276 543408
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Bristol BS8
& Online
Photo of Hannah Duncan, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Hannah Duncan
Counsellor, MBACP Accred
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a qualified to work with Trauma and PTSD , as well as working with relational and sexual issues and Couples.
Good therapy is about change: changing reactions, behaviours, a difficult aspect of self, challenging attitudes/beliefs about yourself or your story. I love working with clients who are prepared to jump in, take risks and seek solutions - this is the way to ensure real change. I will jump in and risk too. I value being human and involved in the therapy and am also practically minded and view the best wisdom as something that can directly be applied to life. A supervisee recently described me as "real, relational, ordinary, practical and not floaty/wispy". I like to incorporate psychoeducation and relevant theoretical information.
07748 843708
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Bristol BS6
& Online
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Melissa McCallum, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Melissa McCallum
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Hi I'm Melissa. If you experience PTSD , Childhood Trauma, Sexual Abuse/Assault, Anxiety, Depression or Low self esteem, I hope to help you to process the trauma, learn to build and maintain relationships with yourself and others, revive a positive view of yourself and to provide a space for you to talk and feel heard.
01793 540461
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Office is near:
Bristol BS10
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Tanya Victoria Chapman, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Tanya Victoria Chapman
Counsellor, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Hello, I am an intergrative therapeutic counsellor; this means I am trained in several modalities, so I can taylor my approach to meet your individual needs. As Carl Jung said, "The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no universal recipe for living." The therapy I offer endaevours to empower you with tools and healthy coping mechanisms to manage your problems in the present, whilst simultaneously exploring the past to aid you with insight and self-knowledge to understand how you got here. I chiefly come from a Mental Health background, working with depression, anxiety, PTSD , and personality disorders.
01473 943669
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Office is near:
Bristol BS1
& Online
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Clare Atyeo, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Clare Atyeo
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I work with adults experiencing a variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, OCD, isolation, bereavement, trauma/ PTSD , identity/life goals and relationship issues, to name but a few. I have experience working and living with people who identify as neurodivergent for example those on the Autism Spectrum or with ADHD. I work online on a Wednesday, and face to face or online on a Thursday and Friday. My offices are accessible with lift facilities and free parking, within 5 minutes of Junction 21 of the M5.
01275 402816
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Office is near:
Bristol BS49
Not accepting new clients
Photo of Beata Michalska, Psychologist in Bristol, England
Beata Michalska
Psychologist, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
For the past nine years I have been helping individuals, couples and families with mental health difficulties across a range of settings. Typical problems that I have experience treating include depression, anxiety, OCD, adjustment difficulties, trauma/ PTSD , stress and relationship difficulties. I see psychotherapy as a personal journey, a chance to get to know yourself better, a safe space to explore and to grow. My interests lie in a human, in embodied experience and in the process.
0131 381 8171
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Office is near:
Bristol BS1
& Online
Photo of Sara Briner Sex Therapy COSRT (sen) Accred, Psychotherapist in Bristol, England
Sara Briner Sex Therapy COSRT (sen) Accred
Psychotherapist, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
Qualified sex therapist COSRT (Sen) Accred including porn addiction, relationship counsellor. Sara has been qualified for 18 years training as a general counsellor, working for Relate then the NHS as a sex therapist and specialist counsellor. Sara provides supervision for counsellors and students and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner used for trauma/ ptsd . Sara offers daytime, evening appointments for couples and individuals. Sara is seeing clients face to face in Exeter City Centre and Chudleigh off A38 and also offers Skype and zoom only. Relationship counselling for clients who are experiencing difficulties.
01392 573749
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Office is near:
Bristol BS10
& Online
Photo of Emily Hall, Counsellor in Bristol, England
Emily Hall
Counsellor, BACP
Verified
Verified
I have experience working with a wide variety of people struggling with many different challenges including: anxiety, depression, low self-worth, addiction, loss, grief, bereavement, trauma, PTSD , flashbacks, relationship difficulties, loneliness, and childhood issues.
Everyone needs to feel valued, understood and connected, and yet throughout life there can be times when we face challenges, struggles, or difficulties. These are the times when counselling can offer a safe and confidential place where you have the chance to share and explore your feelings. I offer a calm, welcoming, and compassionate space where you will be listened to without judgement, and with empathy and understanding. Led by you, we can work together, using reflection and exploration to help develop and enhance your own unique strengths and create opportunities for growth and positive change.
07480 639146
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Bristol BS20
& Online

See more therapy options for Bristol

Trauma and PTSD Counsellors

When should I seek treatment for trauma?

Not everyone who undergoes trauma needs therapy to heal, but many do. If, after experiencing a traumatic event, you find yourself struggling with symptoms such as nightmares, dissociation, irritability, or emotional numbness—especially if these symptoms last more than a month and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning—you may benefit from seeking out therapy with a trauma-informed provider.

How long does trauma therapy take?

Different types of therapy for trauma unfold on different timelines. Prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, for example, each take about three months, while trauma-informed CBT may last anywhere from 8 to 25 sessions. Other approaches, especially those that are less structured or that incorporate elements from multiple modalities, may be more open-ended, though many patients report feeling better within the first few months of treatment.

What happens if trauma is left untreated?

Unaddressed trauma can have serious—even devastating—effects on relationships, career, and day-to-day functioning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead people to distrust or lash out at others, making it difficult to maintain intimate relationships; it can also trigger symptoms such as flashbacks or hyperreactivity that can interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively, personally and/or professionally. Some sufferers turn to drugs to find relief. Symptoms may lessen on their own with time, but there is no guarantee that PTSD will resolve on its own.

Can PTSD come back after treatment?

It is possible for PTSD symptoms to recur months or years after successful treatment. This is because, like most mental health disorders, it is not possible to “cure” PTSD, and stressful life events may cause symptoms to recur in even the most resilient individuals. There is no shame in re-experiencing PTSD symptoms nor in returning to therapy when such relapses occur; indeed, many forms of trauma therapy explicitly encourage periodic “maintenance sessions” to reinforce coping skills and ensure that symptoms stay manageable.