“I thought I’d dealt with it. Then something small happens and I’m right back there.”
Trauma doesn’t always look the way people expect. It can come from one event, like an accident, an assault or a sudden loss. It can also come from something that went on for a long time, often in childhood, that you’ve carried quietly ever since. Either way, your mind and body can keep reacting as if the danger is still happening, long after it has passed.
I’m Andy Griffiths, a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist in Glasgow. Trauma is one of the main areas I work in, and this guide explains how I work with it, who it suits and what to expect.
Looking for help now? See my trauma and PTSD therapy page to find out how I work and how to book a free consultation.
What trauma and PTSD can feel like
Everyone’s experience is different, but people often describe some of these:
- Flashbacks or memories that arrive without warning
- Nightmares or poor sleep
- Feeling constantly on edge, jumpy or on guard
- Avoiding places, people or conversations that remind you of what happened
- Feeling numb, cut off or not quite yourself
- Anger, guilt or shame that doesn’t seem to shift
- Anxiety or low mood that started after a particular time in your life
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is the name given when reactions like these carry on for more than a month and get in the way of everyday life. You don’t need a diagnosis to get help, though. Many of the people I see have never had one.
How I work with trauma
I don’t rely on a single method. Trauma affects people in very different ways, so I combine several approaches and use what suits you:
- EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing). EMDR helps the brain process distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge. It is one of the treatments recommended by NICE for PTSD.
- Brainspotting. A newer approach that grew out of EMDR. It uses where you look to help reach and process feelings that are hard to get to by talking alone.
- Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis helps you feel calm and safe enough to work with difficult material, and builds a steadiness you can take into everyday life.
- Psychotherapy. Talking things through properly, at your pace, to understand what happened and how it still affects you.
- NLP and reframing. A reframing method I use helps you look at what happened from a different place, so it stops shaping how you see yourself and the world.
You stay in control throughout. Nothing is forced, and we don’t have to go over every detail of what happened for the work to help.
When other help hasn’t worked
Many of the people who come to me have already tried to get help. Some have had CBT or EMDR through the NHS and found it didn’t go far enough, or that it ended before they were ready. Others have been on a waiting list for a long time.
That doesn’t mean you’re beyond help. Often it means you haven’t yet found the right approach, or the right fit with a therapist. Combining methods, and having time to go at your own pace, can make a real difference. You might also find my guide on what to do when CBT hasn’t worked useful.
If you haven’t been to your GP
Some people haven’t been to their GP at all. They feel lost, or they went once and didn’t feel heard. You’re welcome to come to me directly. I’d still encourage you to let your GP know how you’re feeling, especially if you’re struggling with sleep, low mood, drinking or thoughts of harming yourself, as they can offer support alongside our work.
What to expect
- A free consultation first. A free 20 minute conversation, in person at Orchard Park in Carmyle, by phone or on Zoom. Tell me as much or as little as you like, and I’ll be honest about whether I think I can help.
- Safety before anything else. We start by making sure you feel settled and steady before working on anything difficult.
- Sessions at your pace. Trauma work varies more than most things I see. Some people notice a real change within a few sessions. Others, especially with long term or childhood trauma, need longer. We’ll review how things are going as we go.
- Cost. Sessions start from £70. You can read more about what hypnotherapy costs in Glasgow.
Common questions
Can hypnotherapy help with PTSD?
Hypnotherapy on its own usually isn’t enough for PTSD, which is why I combine it with EMDR, brainspotting and psychotherapy. Used together, many people find their symptoms ease and they start to feel more like themselves again. I can’t promise a particular result, and I’d be wary of anyone who does.
Do I have to talk about what happened?
Not in detail if you don’t want to. EMDR and brainspotting can work without you describing every part of it. You decide what we talk about, and we go at your pace.
Do you offer EMDR privately in Glasgow?
Yes. I offer EMDR as part of my trauma work at Piece of Mind in Carmyle, Glasgow, and online.
What if my trauma happened a long time ago?
That’s very common. Many people I see are dealing with something from years or even decades ago, often from childhood. It’s not too late to work on it.
Can we work online?
Yes. Sessions work over Zoom and cost the same as in person.
If you need help right now
If you’re in crisis or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please don’t wait for a therapy appointment. Call NHS 24 on 111, contact your GP, or call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. Breathing Space is also there to talk on 0800 83 85 87.
From clients
“He has made me feel extremely comfortable and safe to share my past triggers and trauma…”
“I was able to fully let go emotionally in a safe and welcoming environment.”
“Andy’s guidance in a complex time of my life, is proving absolutely invaluable in my path of healing.”
Shared from our Google reviews, rated 5.0 by over 160 clients. Read them on Google
Book a free consultation
If something that happened is still shaping your life, you don’t have to keep carrying it on your own. The first step is a free 20 minute consultation, in person at Orchard Park in Carmyle, by phone or on Zoom.
You can read more about hypnotherapy in Glasgow, book your free consultation, or call 0141 340 9870.