When trauma happens to us, its imprints exist not only in the mind but in our bodies, emerging as symptoms which can be deeply upsetting. A pervasive sense of not being safe can result in chronic states of fear, anger, anxiety, shame or irritability, all of which may be acted out towards others or turned inward to ourselves. Along with extreme emotional activation, trauma survivors often experience emotional numbing and shutdown. Distressing as this is to experience, being traumatised does not mean there is something wrong with you – in fact, such responses to traumatic events are very normal: our nervous system’s instinctive way of keeping us safe, a series of intricate biological triggers that happen beyond our conscious control. However, life becomes very difficult when the mind and body continue to react as if danger is still present long after it has passed.

Whilst many therapies focus on changing your thoughts and feelings and therefore address one facet of trauma, that which is held in the mind, Equine Facilitated Psychotraumatology also creates space for the felt experience of your emotions and bodily sensations, attending to trauma held throughout the nervous system. While honouring your thoughts and perceptions, you will be supported in compassionately transforming stuck points and automatic coping mechanisms which no longer serve you. Our work together will begin with understanding the symptoms specific to you and proceed using a phase-based approach as recommended by the UK Psychological Trauma Society.