Relational and Social Trauma Therapy

Using the latest evidence based therapies to move from past relational and social trauma, to feeling safe and healthy in your social connections.

Relational and social trauma happens in our connections with others - the people we should have been able to count on or those who have treated us unfairly.

Sometimes it's about what happened.

Maybe you’ve experienced social humiliation, highly critical parents, betrayal or harm by others.

However, other times, it's about what never happened that should have.

Maybe you needed support during a hard time, but no one showed up. Perhaps teachers looked the other way when bullying happened. Or parents who were physically present but emotionally nowhere to be found.

These missing pieces matter just as much as the harmful things that did happen.

What is Relational Trauma?

relational trauma social trauma therapy

Something I hear often in relational trauma therapy:

“It wasn’t that big of a deal compared to the trauma some people experience”

My response:

“Social trauma can range from seemingly "minor" events to serious violations of trust and safety. All are valid. What is important is the meaning we took from the experience that makes it a trauma or not, rather than the type of event.”

How does CBT help for relational trauma?

cbt social anxiety

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps you identify and transform the thought patterns and core beliefs underlying relational trauma and anxiety—without getting trapped in negative relationship cycles or fears of connection.

For some, this means addressing specific relational wounds and attachment injuries, while for others, it's about challenging broader patterns of mistrust or self-protective behaviors that affect all relationships. CBT delivered online is effective for both targeted trauma responses and more generalised relationship difficulties.

Backed by decades of research and endorsed by major psychological organisations, CBT provides effective tools for healing relational trauma, rebuilding trust in connections, and developing healthier ways of engaging with others that align with your authentic self and needs.

How does EMDR help for relational trauma?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess the root experiences behind relational trauma and social anxiety—without having to endlessly revisit painful memories or analyse relationship patterns.

For some, this may involve processing specific instances of relational wounding or social rejection, while for others, it addresses deeper attachment injuries that have shaped how you connect with others. EMDR is effective for both targeted trauma and more pervasive relational patterns.

Backed by over 30 years of research and endorsed by major psychological organisations, EMDR provides an effective pathway to healing relationship difficulties, social fears, and the internal beliefs that keep you feeling unsafe or unworthy in connections with others.

How do we work?

We begin with a thorough assessment to understand your unique relational patterns and challenges. From there, we'll collaboratively create a personalised treatment plan drawing from evidence-based approaches like EMDR and CBT.

Your therapy journey is flexible and responsive—we'll regularly check in on progress and adjust our approach as needed to best support your path toward healthier relationships and authentic social connection.

Options for EMDR/CBT for Relational Trauma

  • Single Session (60 min)

    Weekly ongoing sessions.

    Cost: £110 .

  • Single Session (90 min)

    One tailored 90-minute EMDR session to target a specific fear, anxiety, feeling, belief or memory. Ideal if you have one thing to focus on, or want to try out EMDR without committing to ongoing therapy.

    3 Sessions (90 min each)

    Three 90-minute EMDR sessions to target a specific fear, anxiety, feeling, belief or memory with thorough depth. Working in an intensive way, we may schedule these across 10 days (or longer as you prefer). Experiencing rapid healing and change at a deeper level, without committing to ongoing sessions.

    6 Sessions (90 min each)

    6 90-minute EMDR sessions, that may also combine elements of CBT, to target a specific fear, anxiety, feeling, belief or memory. Working in an intensive way, we may schedule these across 2 weeks (or longer as you prefer). Longer term sessions, but still short term and intense in nature, for those who want deep, transformational change.

    Payment plans available to spread the cost and make EMDR intensives accessible.

    You can read more on fees and payment plans for EMDR intensives in my FAQs.

Not sure what’s right for you? No problem! In our assessment we will discuss which is the most likely to access the best outcome for you. Packages are designed so that payment plans can be provided for the level of care you need and to make EMDR more accessible, rather than fixed options that you need to choose before we have had an assessment.

Ready?

If you’re ready to feel safer in your relationships, please get in contact. We will have a free consultation to discuss your ultimate goal, answer questions, and see if you would like to move ahead - absolutely pressure free.

FAQs

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess difficult experiences and update unhelpful beliefs. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, taps, or tones) to help your brain process "stuck" memories and beliefs that contribute to your anxiety.

  • We'll begin by identifying the specific social situations that trigger anxiety and the negative beliefs you hold about yourself in these situations. Then we'll use EMDR to target the memories that created these beliefs, helping your brain update its understanding. As treatment progresses, we'll also install preferred feelings and rehearse future scenarios with your new perspective.

  • Single 90 min session:

    Investment: £150

    Payment Options:

    • Full payment of £150

    • Two instalments of £75 (one pre-session and 2 weeks later)

    Three 90 min sessions

    Investment: £450

    Payment Options:

    • Full payment receives 10% discount = £405

    • Payment Plan: Initial payment of £150, two further payments of £150 to be completed over 6 weeks.

    6 90 Min Sessions

    Investment: £900

    Payment Options:

    • Full payment receives 10% discount = £810

    • Payment Plan: Initial payment of £150, five additional payments of £150 every 2 weeks. All payments completed over 12 weeks.

  • EMDR sessions can be 1 hour or 90 minutes to allow sufficient time for the processing to unfold naturally. Shorter sessions can mean interrupting the process just as it's getting to important material, which is less effective, which is why we might do 90 minutes for more ‘stuck’ memories.

  • Many clients report feeling shifts after just 1-3 EMDR sessions, though the number needed varies based on your history and the complexity of your anxiety. Some notice they're responding differently to social situations almost immediately, while more complex patterns may take longer to shift fully.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, practical but empathetic, approach that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to your emotional difficulties. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is the most evidence based therapy available.

  • This varies depending on your history and the complexity of your social anxiety. For specific, focused relational traumas (e.g. one-off incident of bullying), 1-6 sessions is often sufficient. More complex or longstanding difficulties (e.g. a history of critical parenting) may require additional sessions.

  • EMDR sessions are 90 minutes rather than the standard 50-60 minutes, providing nearly double the therapeutic time. The extended format is crucial for EMDR's effectiveness, allowing complete processing cycles without interruption. Additionally, EMDR requires specialised training, supervision and certification beyond standard therapy qualifications, representing a higher level of expertise and specialised care.

  • While the upfront cost may seem higher, EMDR often works out more cost-effective in the long run. Traditional weekly therapy for social anxiety can continue for months or even years, with gradual improvement. In contrast, EMDR typically requires fewer total sessions to achieve significant results, meaning your overall investment may be substantially lower while achieving more profound change.

  • Absolutely! CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and EMDR work excellently together and can create a comprehensive approach to treating social anxiety. While they work through different mechanisms, they complement each other well. CBT helps you recognise and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies, while EMDR addresses the underlying emotional experiences and beliefs that fuel your anxiety at their source. Many clients find this combination particularly powerful.

  • Yes. In this case sessions would be weekly sessions of 60 minutes (£110). This allows us to work on an ongoing basis.

  • This is best discussed in our free call to determine your ultimate goals and difficulties, and what’s likely to be effective.

  • No. While I specialise in relational trauma and anxiety, I recognise that sexual, physical and domestic abuse require specific expertise and therapeutic approaches beyond my current specialisation.

    I believe in providing the highest quality care within my areas of expertise, and clients dealing with these specific traumas deserve a therapist with specialised training in these sensitive areas. I can provide referrals to trusted colleagues who specialise in sexual and physical abuse trauma if needed.

    My practice focuses on helping those with social anxiety, performance anxiety, attachment wounds, and relational difficulties where I can offer the most effective and informed support.

    If You're Experiencing Abuse or Domestic Violence

    If you're currently experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse, or physical abuse, please know that help is available. Your safety is the priority.

    UK Emergency Resources:

    • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7 freephone)

    • Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 802 9999

    • Men's Advice Line: 0808 8010 327

    • In an emergency: Call 999 (if you can't speak, dial 999 then press 55)

    • Women's Aid: Live chat service available at womensaid.org.uk

    • Refuge: refuge.org.uk

    These services offer confidential advice, emotional support, and can help you access safe accommodation if needed.

  • No, I work with clients globally online.