Trauma and PTSD Counselling in Exeter
See all counsellors in Exeter
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.
Not accepting new clients

Victoria Riddiford
Counsellor, MSc, MBACP Accred
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Particularly if you are feeling very anxious, or perhaps recovering from trauma and have
PTSD
symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance, the therapeutic relationship will gradually increase your ability to trust, and to feel safer in the world and in your body.
My name is Victoria, and I am an accredited counsellor with many years experience of working with life's difficulties, including anxiety, depression, relationships, bereavement and trauma. I have specialist experience in working with the ongoing impact of sexual abuse and rape. I offer in-person counselling in a ground floor therapy room in central Exeter, and I also work via Zoom and telephone. I offer a safe, confidential space to talk through issues that are troubling you, at your pace, so you can move forward with your life. We'll work together to establish a trusting relationship, where you feel listened to and understood.

Dr Rachel Willcox
Psychologist, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
Verified
EMDR is increasingly well known for being an effective way of addressing
Trauma and PTSD
symptoms.
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and I specialise in offering Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I work in a way that is tailored uniquely for each client and integrate other evidenced-based approaches into my practice depending on your needs and working towards your goals together. These may include Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. I consider myself to be kind, compassionate and gently challenging and aim to create an environment in which clients can move towards changing their lives for the better, learning new skills & gaining insight.
Exeter EX1
& Online

Kevin Dudman
Psychotherapist, MSc, MBABCP
Verified
Verified
EMDR is a therapy for
PTSD
aimed at symptom resolution and acceptance of what has happened.
Hello my name is Kevin. I specialise in the treatment of trauma including accidents, medical trauma, work place and childhood bullying, domestic abuse, rape, sexual abuse and traumatic grief. I can also help you with depression, anxiety, worry, low self -esteem, OCD, phobias, body and self esteem issues, chronic pain, porn and Internet addiction. I am an EMDR Consultant and Accredited CBT Psychotherapist with over thirty years’ experience in working in Mental Health within the NHS. Twenty of these have been in senior positions supervising and supporting the clinical practice of a wide range of psychological therapists.

Dr Caroline Shinner
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialise in offering interventions to address problematic relational patterns, and the impact of past trauma (including
PTSD
), using Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and EMDR.
Hello, I’m Caroline. I’m an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist, and I offer assessments and therapy interventions to adults aged 18+. I aim to provide a compassionate and empathic space in which to hear your story, and work alongside you to identify specific goals for therapy. Therapy interventions will be evidence-based and tailored to your needs. I have over 13 years' experience of working in NHS Adult Mental Health services, and services for adults with acquired brain injury and neurological conditions (including spinal injuries and Multiple Sclerosis).
Office is near:
Exeter EX1 & Online

Syeda Daniel
Psychotherapist, MBABCP
Verified
Verified
I am a person-centred therapist trained in Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensititisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), I have experience working with Trauma,
PTSD
, depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias and physical health conditions.
Many people from all walks of life can occasionally lose their direction or can struggle with stress, anxiety, and /or depression. Therapy can be a helpful process to work through these difficulties, supporting you towards improved well-being and healing of emotional difficulties. Within our sessions, we will work towards your goals, focusing on taking the time to understand you and your individual needs. You will be heard with non-judgment, compassion, kindness and empathy. Together we will work to find a way forward to improved well-being in a caring and meaningful way.

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.
Waitlist for new clients

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.

Beverley Beckett
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I have also trained in different areas:
PTSD
, Gestalt, childhood trauma, addiction, abuse, self harm, suicide, mind, soul, emotion and body.
I am a BACP registered Integrative Psychotherapeutic counsellor & Supervisor based in Wadebridge. I specialise in working with: Addiction, Complex Trauma,
PTSD
, Abuse and Neurodiversity. I understand depression and anxiety and how it can effect every day life. There are a number of reasons why you might want to engage in therapy: Work, bullying, relationships issues and sexuality or simply the sense that there should be more to life.

Dr Lucy Butler
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I am a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Therapist with over 10 years experience working in NHS Adult Mental Health Services. I offer evidence-based short and long-term psychological therapies for mental health and emotional difficulties online via Zoom. My expertise include helping people who are struggling with everyday work and personal life issues, anxiety and panic,
post-traumatic stress
disorder (
PTSD
) and complex-
PTSD
, depression, burnout, and mild cognitive impairments following acquired and traumatic brain injuries.

Sharon Letten Counselling
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I have a special interest in working with anxiety and depression, relationships, grief, loneliness, menopause, confidence, ADHD, trauma/
PTSD
, abuse and control, anger and the transitions across life stages.
Through my lived experience, I understand how difficult it is to reach out. I use a relational approach - helping to meet your individual & couple needs. Whether it's to improve your anxiety, depression, or confidence, I will work alongside you, helping you to navigate your way through life's challenges. Perhaps you just want to talk in a safe environment or need support to make changes? I work holistically and creatively with adults, teens & couples in a caring and non-judgmental way, covering a range of issues which can significantly impact on our relationships with ourselves and others and work towards meaning and reconnection.

Sophie Leach
Counsellor, MNCS Accred
Verified
Verified
I can also offer Rewind Technique to work specifically with
PTSD
& Trauma.
I work with people experiencing some stress or anxiety, feeling depressed, and also the common problem that 'something isn't right but I can't quite work out what'. I can help you develop coping strategies and process what's happening until you get back to a position where you feel happy and in control of your own life. I have a particular interest in working with sexual abuse and trauma. I also enjoy working with student counsellors - please get in touch to discuss arrangements.

Jennifer Lewis
Psychotherapist, MA, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
Previous clients have brought a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma / complex
PTSD
, transitions, relationship difficulties and grief.
I offer trauma-informed, mindfulness-based Core Process Psychotherapy which provides a gentle but effective cradle within which we can explore whatever brings you. This allows movement towards awareness and acceptance of your behaviours as they are or an opportunity to unravel those that no longer serve you well, empowering you to move to a place of greater ease, peace and resilience.

Chris Woodgate
Psychologist, DCounsPsych, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
Verified
While not viewing diagnostic categories as the most helpful way of understanding these difficulties, I have worked successfully with people who identify with, or have been labelled with: BPD/EUPD, ADHD, ODD,
PTSD
, CPTSD, OCD, LD, ASD, anxiety, depression & body dysmorphia.
I am a registered psychologist and doctor of counselling psychology offering psychotherapy underpinned by a contemporary reading of the most relevant literature. I work from an attachment, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural perspective, integrating these to offer tailored ways of understanding and working with issues that will be unique to each person and set of circumstances. Most of the work happens in the room, though sometimes we might also set things outside of it, where appropriate.

Dr Rochelle Woollacott
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Couns. Psych.
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
People come to therapy for many different and important reasons. For some it is to discuss difficult and emotional experiences, while for others its to have a space in their week to reflect and make time to check-in with themselves. I ask all my clients to come with an open-mind as therapy can take you on a journey of self-discovery. I have worked with many clients with varying degrees of personal difficulties; severe and mild distress including depression, anxiety, suicide, low-self-esteem, earlier life trauma,
PTSD
, relational difficulties and many more.

Darren Neal
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Being understood and accepted, without judgement and with compassion, is the most important experience we can receive from another person. I have a extensive experience working with trauma(
PTSD
&CPTSD), bereavement, anxiety (fear), abuse, mental health issues, depression as well as general feelings of hopelessness and sadness and I will offer my experience and knowledge to help empower you to experience yourself, understand yourself and feel more confidant and emotionally connected. I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and I can be found on their website.

Misma Counselling & Psychotherapy Service
Psychotherapist, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I have extensive experience working with identity and relationship issues. I have more than 8 years experience working with cultural issues, identity and multicultural marriage or relationship. I offer a safe and confidential place to talk about your challenges or concerns that may be confusing, troubling, painful or uncomfortable for you.
Not accepting new clients

Catherine C Davies
Psychotherapist, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
I specialise in the field of unresolved grief, loss, overwhelm and trauma. I offer EMDR therapy to clients who seek to fulfil their potential away from painful life events, overwhelming and challenging personal and professional stressors. I have experience in treating single or complex traumas alongside supporting the emotional wellbeing of any individuals at high risk of stress, anxiety and chronic career pressures. Over the last sixteen years as an integrative psychotherapist, supervisor and clinical lead in a busy NHS environment, I have also experienced a broad spectrum of clients' concerns and struggles.

Lou Stacey
Counsellor, BACP
Verified
Verified
Hello. My name is Lou. I would like to support you. If you are feeling vulnerable or are in need of some help; maybe things are no longer in your control, than please get in touch. Not being able to trust or understand your own thoughts and feelings, yet finding yourself stuck in them, can be very overwhelming and I would like to support and help you find some peace and calm, so you can re-connect to yourself and your world around you again without so much pain, fear or sadness. I am available face to face on Tue, Wed and Fri in Exminster, Telephone or Online via Zoom Mon/Thur. Email me for further details or visit my website.

Rhianne Lewis
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I believe that we can all be impacted by the things we live through, and it is courageous to try and understand ourselves, our relationships and our experiences more through therapy. I have worked within NHS mental healthcare services for over 10 years, and have worked with depression, anxiety, trauma, physical health difficulties, neuropsychological difficulties and more. I have had training in a range of modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focussed Therapy, Systemic Therapy and Narrative Therapy. This enables me to integrate different approaches to suit the person I’m working with.
See more therapy options for Exeter
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.