Jody Robins

Currently my diary is full and I now have a waiting list. 

I work Mon - Thurs and two evenings a week. I do not work weekends. 

Do you experience flashbacks, nightmares or avoid certain places, people or thoughts? Do you ever feel like you are “not good enough?” or feel like you are “damaged” or to blame? Do you struggle to trust others or struggle to relate? None of us are immune to the suffering that trauma can bring and we are not always prepared for change when it takes us by surprise. It can leave us feeling unable to cope, undeserving or even guarded about feeling happy again. In my work as a traumatologist I aim to create a safe and nurturing space where you can explore, process and heal from your experiences whilst attuning to your resourceful self.

My own journey through trauma gave me an appreciation for the complexities it brings and the transformative power of healing. As a trauma therapist and relational integrative counsellor, I draw from both professional expertise and personal experience to meet you where you are at with compassion and understanding.

My approach to working with trauma is rooted in authenticity, empathy and collaboration. Together we will embark on a journey of resilience-building, healing and self-discovery. You will gain insight in the neurobiological effects of trauma and how this impacts symptoms, your triggers and develop coping strategies for regulating emotions and trauma responses.

Trauma therapy is naturally more directive than counselling because most trauma survivor’s experience overwhelming emotions and sensations when revisiting trauma memories. The directiveness in this type of therapy helps to focus the session on these targeted areas whilst providing a sense of safety and structure. As trauma therapy usually involves working with the traumatic memory the directiveness can also help to focus the session using an evidence-based treatment approach. 

My approach to trauma uses a three-phase model designed to support clients with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of PTSD or Complex PTSD or that have a lived experience of complex trauma. Trauma therapy is usually more directive in Phase 1 and 2 and phase 3 can feel more akin to counselling.

Phase 1 includes assessment, psychoeducation and working towards symptom reduction through learning safety and stabilisation techniques and/or emotion regulation strategies. If we agree it is appropriate (through assessment and collaboration) then we would then move into Phase 2 which involves processing your trauma memories drawing on a range of evidence-based therapies. You can find out more about these and what therapies I offer on my website. Phase 3 is working towards integration where I draw on my skills as an integrative counsellor to support you in working through any remaining difficulties, adaptive behaviours or traumagenic thoughts/beliefs. The work is focused on guiding you back to feeling yourself and supporting you in reclaiming those parts that may feel lost, broken, unheard or discarded. Trauma therapy does include a commitment to further work outside of the therapy hour and I am more than happy to discuss this further or answer any questions at any time.

I work with adults and young people and their families from the ages of 11- 18. I work both online via zoom and face to face.

The most important element of therapy is the therapeutic relationship therefore if after the first or any future sessions, you do not feel I am the right therapist for you then it’s not a problem. It is important that you choose someone you feel you comfortable with.

It is a great privilege to work in a role where I get to share a small part of someone else’s journey. If you are ready to take the first step towards healing then I invite you to reach out as I believe we all have the capacity for change, compassion, growth, and recovery. I look forward to welcoming you. 

As a professional I have a duty of care to all clients to ensure I am working safely and ethically. Whether I see you face to face or online we would begin our time together going through some historical information and assessment. Prior to our first session I will send you a client history and client information sheet and several questionnaires to be completed before our first session commences. Assessment is an important part of our journey as it will help to inform our work together and ensure that I am not missing anything significant that may be contributing to your current experiencing. If there are any problems when filling in the forms, please let me know. There will also be regular assessment through-out our work together on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or 6 weekly basis depending on the need, to monitor symptom improvement or your progress and therapy goals.

From there we would go through the therapist and client agreement and once you’re happy with that book in your first session which lasts for one hour.

Most clients feel nervous thinking about or when attending the first session and this is normal. After all you are sitting in a room with a stranger talking about things you might not have said aloud before. I hope to put you at ease by gently getting to know you and creating a supportive and non-judgemental environment where we can explore your trauma together.