Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You can find out more about the symptoms of PTSD by clicking here. TF-CBT is an effective treatment for PTSD that is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the organisation that the NHS receives its national guidelines for treatment and care from. TF-CBT usually consists of some or all of the following:

Grounding and stabilisation

This stage of therapy involves practising techniques to manage the overwhelming feelings that PTSD brings. These might include relaxation exercises, or other techniques to help you stay grounded in the here-and-now. I specialise in gentle mind-body grounding techniques, using breathing techniques, visualisation and simple chair-based yoga postures. 

Working with trauma memories

This might involve talking through what happened or writing or drawing about it. This is called memory processing and is done in a careful and structured way in TF-CBT.

Updating negative beliefs

Sometimes after experiencing trauma we develop negative thoughts or beliefs. Belief work in TF-CBT is about making sense of what you thought at the time of the trauma and deciding what is a helpful and accurate way to think about yourself and your situation now.

Reclaiming your life

A common response to trauma is to start avoiding things which trigger your anxiety or PTSD symptoms. While this is an understandable response to trauma, unfortunately this can have a negative impact on quality of life, mood and actually make PTSD symptoms worse in the long term. Reclaiming your life in TF-CBT is about returning to things that you used to enjoy or building a new life that you value.