Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma

At Sage Clinics, we understand the profound impact that trauma can have on individuals’ lives, affecting their emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Our dedicated PTSD and Complex Trauma services offer compassionate and evidence-based support to help individuals navigate the challenges of trauma and reclaim their sense of safety, empowerment, and resilience. 

Understanding PTSD and Complex Trauma: 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative changes in mood and cognition, and heightened arousal. PTSD can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life if left untreated. 

Complex Trauma: Complex trauma refers to exposure to multiple or prolonged traumatic events, often occurring within interpersonal relationships, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Complex trauma can result in a range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties, including difficulties with emotion regulation, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships. 

At Sage Clinics, we recognize how difficult it can be to cope with the effects of trauma. Our trauma-informed approach emphasizes safety, empowerment, and healing, providing individuals with the support and resources they need to navigate their trauma journey with compassion and resilience.  

Our services include: 

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Our experienced clinicians conduct thorough assessments to understand your unique experiences, symptoms, and treatment needs, providing a personalized approach to trauma recovery.
  • Evidence-Based Treatment: We offer evidence-based therapies for trauma, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), tailored to your specific needs and goals.
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Our trauma-informed approach prioritizes safety, empowerment, and collaboration, creating a supportive and validating environment for trauma recovery. 
  • Holistic Support: In addition to therapy, we offer holistic interventions to support your overall well-being, including mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and stress management strategies; alongside considering if medication is something you may benefit from to manage any acute PTSD symptoms and whether this is something you want.  

 

Who can benefit from it? 

You may benefit from Sage’s Trauma Service if: 

  • You have experienced a traumatic event or series of events that continue to impact your daily life and functioning. 
  • You struggle with symptoms of PTSD, such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance. 
  • You have a history of complex trauma, including childhood abuse, neglect, or interpersonal violence, that affects your sense of self and relationships. 
  • You find it challenging to regulate your emotions, cope with stress, or maintain healthy boundaries in relationships. 
  • You feel stuck in patterns of behavior or thought related to your trauma and are seeking support to break free and move forward. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD or complex trauma, you don’t have to navigate your trauma journey alone. Our compassionate and experienced team at Sage Clinics is here to provide the support, guidance, and resources you need to heal from trauma and reclaim your life.  

Ana Gomez Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Adolescent & Adults Specialist

Ana Gomez is a Spanish trained Clinical and Forensic Psychologist specialized in working with adolescent and adults with different mental health issues.

Dr Bisi Laniyan Clinical Psychologist, Adult Specialist

Dr Bisi Laniyan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in the mental health and wellbeing sector.

Dr Romena Toki Clinical Psychologist, Child, Adolescent & Adult Specialist

Dr Romen Toki had the privilege of working with children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds in the UK and now in the UAE.

Dr Gurveen Ranger Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead of Adult & Corporate Services

Dr Gurveen Ranger is a Clinical Psychologist from the UK and have over 10 years’ experience working in mental health across a variety of settings.

Clare's Journey

Clare, a 28-year-old makeup artist, sought therapy at Sage Clinics following a traumatic event that occurred at a party. Despite her efforts to move forward, Clare found herself haunted by distressing memories and symptoms that significantly impacted her daily life.

During the initial assessment with one of our psychologists, it became clear that Clare experienced a range of symptoms following the traumatic event, including intrusive memories, nightmares, and intense emotional distress when reminded of the incident. She avoided social situations and places that reminded her of the trauma, leading to feelings of isolation and withdrawal from friends and loved ones. Clare also struggled with anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating at work, affecting her productivity and confidence. The trauma had deeply shaken Clare's sense of safety and trust in others, leaving her feeling vulnerable and on edge. Despite her best efforts to cope on her own, Clare knew she needed professional support to address the lingering effects of the trauma and regain control of her life. Clare began therapy at Sage Clinics with a skilled therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based therapy approach for trauma recovery. EMDR therapy focuses on processing distressing memories and experiences to reduce their emotional intensity and promote healing. In therapy, Clare worked collaboratively with her therapist to identify and process the traumatic memories associated with the party incident. Using bilateral stimulation techniques such as eye movements, taps, or auditory tones, Clare accessed and reprocessed the memories in a safe and controlled manner, allowing her to integrate them into her broader understanding of the event. As Clare engaged in EMDR therapy sessions, she noticed a gradual reduction in the intensity of her trauma symptoms. Intrusive memories became less frequent and distressing, and nightmares diminished in frequency and intensity. Clare also experienced a greater sense of control over her emotions and reactions, allowing her to approach triggering situations with greater resilience and confidence.

Throughout the therapy process, Clare's therapist provided support, validation, and guidance, helping her navigate the challenges of trauma recovery with compassion and empathy. Together, they explored underlying beliefs and emotions related to the trauma, fostering a deeper understanding of Clare's experience and promoting healing on multiple levels.

FAQ's

Is trauma therapy right for me?

What can I expect during trauma therapy sessions?

How long will trauma therapy take?

I'm not sure if my trauma is significant enough to seek therapy. What should I do?

What if my trauma therapist judges me or doesn’t believe me?

How confidential is trauma therapy?

I am still not sure if I need to see someone. Can you advise me?

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How it works

We know it’s likely to have been a struggle to get this far, but we are with you every step of the way. Our process is simple – we work with you to develop a unique plan and provide the a level of support according to your needs, whilst ensuring measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Appointment

Book an appointment by calling us on +971 4 575 5684 (or you can book online) and tell us what you are having difficulty with.

Consultation

We offer availability with highly experienced therapists suited to your needs and book the appointment for you.

Therapy

Meet the practitioner and begin the road to self-improvement. Have any concerns? Let us know so we can assist.

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your mental health

Our goal is to support individuals, couples, families and groups experiencing challenges with mental, behavioral or emotional wellbeing to overcome these challenges, learn new skills, and thrive at life.