TRAUMA
TRAUMA
Some people have had experiences in the past which were so awful, so difficult and so upsetting, that no matter what they tried to do to get over them, from medicine to counselling, nothing proved successful in helping them to allow the past to return to and remain where, it belongs – in the past.
In addition to offering longer term psychotherapeutic exploration and understanding of the existential, spiritual and psycho-biological impact of such traumatic experience in terms of how it subsequently can affect everything from sleeping and eating patterns to self-esteem, depression, and addiction, The Surrey Centre can also provide those who need it with a modern, evidenced-based treatment called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).
EMDR can be particularly helpful when a person continues to be haunted by intrusive memories, flashbacks, and/or nightmares which prevent her or him from moving forward in their lives and letting the past go. In contrast to the traumatic experience still troubling them, and over which the traumatised person had no control, in EMDR they are completely in charge of the process involved in targeting those memories, and with the therapist’s assistance, working through their feelings as they arise and reconnecting emotionally with what happened. This reprocessing, as it is called, of what happened previously enables the person to render the memories and/or dysfunctional ways of coping with them, less distressing in the here and now.
The effects of trauma may vary for each individual but they are usually very stressful, frightening and if they are not dealt with, can cause lasting effects including low self-esteem, low self-worth, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression and anxiety. Prolonged, untreated trauma can also manifest itself as ‘Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’. Individuals can relive the traumatic event through flashbacks and nightmares and these can develop straight after the event but often it is months or years later that they relive the trauma. PTSD can be successfully treated, even when it develops many years after a traumatic event.
The Surrey Centre for Eating Disorders services
Dietetic Services
The Surrey Centre’s Nutrition Philosophy is based on nutrition and a healthy relationship with food thereby promoting a balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.
One to One Therapy
At The Surrey Centre we use an integrated method of therapy, drawing on different therapeutic approaches and adapting them to meet individual clients needs.
Family Therapy
At The Surrey Centre, we are able to work together with partners, parents, siblings and children helping them understand how to help their loved one. When appropriate we invite the whole family to participate in sessions when feelings and experiences can be shared
Family Education And Support Programme
We understand that it is not only the individual with an eating disorder that needs support and that, often, a wider impact is felt by the whole family. We have put together a Family Education Programme offering a range of practical, dietetic help and advice alongside counselling and emotional support.
Assessment
As a first step we recommend you come for an assessment. You will be guided through the process by one of our therapists. During the assessment you will have a chance to get a feel for how we work, time to tell us your story, to explain to us what you hope to gain from therapy and what your reservations might be.
Referrals to The Surrey Centre
Referrals to The Surrey Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy can be made via self referral, GP, Consultant Psychiatrist/Psychologist, Psychotherapist/Counsellor or other appropriate professional.
Psychiatric Services
If you are referred to The Surrey Centre by a psychiatrist we will, with your agreement, work closely with them to ensure you receive a complete package of care. For some of our clients meeting the team at The Surrey Centre is the first point of contact. If at any point we feel the support of a Psychiatrist would be beneficial we will recommend this to you.