Can CBT hypnotherapy help with trauma?

We often hear the word trauma used to describe distressing or life-changing experiences. This could include surviving a serious accident, experiencing abuse, grief, loss, relationship difficulties, or even the loss of a beloved pet. What feels traumatic for one person may feel very different for another, because every individual experiences and processes events uniquely.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe trauma is not defined solely by the event itself, but by how overwhelming the experience feels to the nervous system and how difficult it becomes for the mind and body to process. 

Understanding trauma

Paraphrasing Dr Bessel van der Kolk, the internationally recognised trauma expert and author of 'The Body Keeps the Score', trauma can be understood as any experience that overwhelms the nervous system’s ability to process, cope with, and safely store memories.

Trauma affects not only emotions; it can also impact our thoughts, behaviours, sense of identity, physical well-being, relationships, and our connection to the world around us. Trauma can feel like an invisible wound inside us, something too overwhelming for the mind and body to fully comprehend at the time. As a result, we may feel stuck, anxious, emotionally numb, disconnected, or overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts and memories.

Even simple everyday tasks can begin to feel exhausting or unmanageable. It is important to understand that the event itself is not always the trauma; it is often the nervous system’s response to the experience and the body’s struggle to process overwhelming emotions and sensations. These unresolved responses can become trapped within the body and nervous system. 

Our nervous system is designed to protect us from danger through automatic survival responses. In threatening situations, the brain reacts instinctively before we have time to think consciously.

These responses are commonly known as:

• fight: confronting the threat
• flight: escaping or avoiding danger
• freeze: becoming stuck, numb, or unable to respond
• fawn: trying to please others to stay safe

You may have a feeling of dissociation or collapse, mentally disconnecting from the experience or body, as a form of protection. These responses are not weaknesses; they are survival strategies. Your body is doing its best to protect you in the only way it knows how.

How CBT hypnotherapy can help

CBT hypnotherapy can help individuals by gently processing these traumatic experiences by working with both the conscious and unconscious mind. Through hypnosis, grounding techniques, resilience-building, and therapeutic support, clients can begin to feel safer, calmer, and more in control.

Therapy can help you reframe negative thoughts and beliefs. It can reduce anxiety and emotional overwhelm and help build resilience and coping strategies so you can reconnect with your sense of self-worth.

To help and develop feelings of safety and empowerment a strong therapeutic relationship is incredibly important when working with trauma. Feeling safe, supported, and heard allows space for healing and growth. 

Grounding techniques to try

When someone feels dissociated or overwhelmed, grounding techniques can help them reconnect to the present moment and calm their nervous system. One commonly used grounding exercise is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, where you notice:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can hear
• 3 things you can feel
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste

Other simple grounding exercises may include breath work and mindfulness, gentle movement or stretching, walking in nature, holding a comforting object such as a cushion or blanket, and pressing against a wall to reconnect with the body and physical sensations.

These techniques can help reduce stress, anxiety, and the physical effects of trauma while encouraging a sense of calm and safety. Walk and talk therapy can also sometimes make healing feel easier outside of the traditional therapy room. Nature-based therapy can feel grounding, calming, and less intense for some clients.

You are not broken

If you have experienced trauma, please know that your responses make sense in the context of what you have been through. Healing is possible, and with the right support, you can begin to regain a sense of control, safety, and emotional balance.

You may feel as though your mind has been held hostage by the past, but healing is about gently helping you take that power back, one step at a time. If trauma has impacted your life and you are considering therapy, reach out for support.