Who is this service for?
Our trauma service sees people over the age of 21 who remain troubled by a traumatic event or series of events or experiences, which took place recently or in the past. Examples might include being involved in a road traffic accident, suffering an assault or having something traumatic happen to someone close to you, such as the suicide of or violence towards a family member.
Our staff have special expertise in the aftermath of trauma and are trained to help you.
Kinds of treatment offered
People referred to the service are in the first instance usually offered a consultation plus a number of sessions. Sessions usually last around one and a quarter hours. You will be able to talk about yourself and whatever aspects of your current and past experience you feel is relevant.
You may find that the consultation in itself helps you to understand your experience and reaction to the trauma better, and you might feel that you don't need any further help. On the other hand it may be that you will need more than the consultation and the clinician may continue to offer you sessions.
Alternatively, some form of regular treatment in the department might be what you need, or you could be referred for more help elsewhere. It will be part of the consultation to discuss with you the question of further help, if appropriate.
Between one and five consultations are offered, with the aim of helping to integrate the event into the individual's life as a whole. Sometimes further psychotherapy within the department will be suggested, this time with the goal of treating the individual rather than the trauma.
How to access this service?
Feel free to call our team on 020 8938 2209 for more information or to discuss a possible referral.
