There are many conceptual models within traditional psychotherapeutic models which seek to understand the nature of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These models are helpful in describing and categorizing the way in which the disorder presents itself in panic, dissociation, hallucinations and other phenomena, but they are not so helpful in providing resolution to deeply-held shock and terror which is usually at the root of the presenting symptoms.

In working with patients who are suffering from PTSD-like symptoms, I generally have only one guideline: the way in which the symptom demonstrates a separation from the self. By taking whatever presenting symptom appears seriously, I find I can find a path to the self back through the symptom to the pain and then to triggering event of the symptom. The goal is to bring the individual back to a sense of an integrated self. I have found the best way to do that is to follow a few basic steps:

   firstly  without question I believe that what you feel see or hear is what you feel see or hear.

   Understand you have survived using your own defences.

   Let your defences speak.

   Dealing with the feelings of guilt shame or blame.

    Understanding that you cant change history but you can dictate the future.

    Re-patterning/transforming relationship to trauma.

   Reintegration of experience with a new sense self

One of the benefits of my method of dealing with trauma Is that it is non invasive I don’t ask a client to re live or re enact their event to me there is no point they have already been there, it is personal to them  I will not confront the individuals dignity to relate  to me what happened to them they have suffered enough. However by gently unravelling the existing thought patterns triggers and  establishing a way forward it is possible to successfully deal with the most intimate and invasive acts of  brutality without actually having to discus the event at all

I am sufficiently comfortable with extreme fear and panic states that I have never been drawn into a clients panic in such a way that it could interfere my ability to bring about new and effective ways of helping the client to effect a resolution to their feelings