Trauma

Trauma counselling in Central London

Trauma is not simply what happened. It is the effect of what happened on the nervous system, the way a past experience continues to shape present experience, as though the danger is still present. Trauma produces symptoms that can appear disconnected from their cause: hypervigilance, avoidance, disturbed sleep, intrusive memory, emotional dysregulation, a persistent sense that the world is not safe. The treatment of trauma requires methods that work at the level of the nervous system, not just the level of narrative.

EMDR in Central London

Dr Jacquet has over 20 years of EMDR experience. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is one of the most robustly evidenced treatments for trauma and PTSD, working by allowing the nervous system to process material that has become stuck. It is available at the Central London practice and is used within the broader framework of integrative psychotherapy, not as a standalone technique.

Complex and developmental trauma

The practice works with both single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical events) and complex trauma arising from prolonged or repeated adversity, childhood neglect, emotional or physical abuse, relational trauma. Complex trauma requires a different treatment structure from single-incident trauma, and one that the practice is equipped to provide.

Trauma and other presentations

Trauma frequently underlies presentations that appear on the surface to be something else: eating disorders, addiction, depression, anxiety, chronic relational difficulties. Part of the assessment process at the Central London practice is understanding the degree to which trauma is a relevant factor, and incorporating appropriate trauma-focused work where it is.

Beginning

Initial consultations are available in person or online. The first meeting is an opportunity to describe what is happening and to discuss whether EMDR, integrative psychotherapy, or a combination would be most useful.

EMDR therapy with 20+ years of clinical experience. Dr Philippe Jacquet is an EMDR practitioner with over 20 years’ experience. See the full EMDR therapy London page.

Further reading: Understanding trauma.

See also: trauma therapy in London, and on the long effects of childhood trauma, complex PTSD.

In person in central London: eating disorder counsellor at Fitzrovia and Harley Street.

Dr Philippe Jacquet is a UKCP registered psychotherapist, a Jungian analyst and an HCPC registered art psychotherapist, with twenty-five years of clinical practice. His Doctorate of Professional Practice at the University of Essex examined male eating disorders from the perspective of analytical psychology. Registration can be checked on either public register.

How the work is delivered from here

All international sessions are by secure video, in English or French. Online therapy is not a reduced version of consulting room work: it is the format that lets weekly work survive living abroad, travelling, or relocating. Sessions run in United Kingdom hours, which suits most regions, and if your time zone makes none of it workable, say so when you enquire rather than assuming it rules you out.

For clinicians and treatment services

Dr Jacquet supervises clinical teams in private residential addiction treatment and in a private psychiatric hospital. For treatment centres, psychiatric units and group practices looking for external clinical supervision, including in places where no supervisor of this seniority is available locally, team supervision is also delivered by video. For individual practitioners, see clinical supervision.