How I work
I use various standard assessment scales to determine your specific needs such as the Adverse Childhood Experience Scale (ACE). This helps me determine how complex a case might be or not, and how many sessions a client may require. I work in a very flexible way to suit what is most convenient – we can book in a session as required, rather than block-book multiple sessions. I work in a person-centred way – which means it’s non-directive and the client leads the sessions in a safe, trusting space. We explore your own feelings, issues, beliefs and behaviour, so you can become more self-aware and achieve greater independence
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an opportunity to address long-standing issues or patterns by working through them on a deeper level. It is usually open-ended and weekly, although more (or less) frequent sessions are possible. Therapy is helpful for family and relationship difficulties, different kinds of complex trauma and an array of personal issues, as well as supports self-development and personal growth.
Counselling
Counselling usually focuses on an identified problem or goal and tends to be shorter-term than psychotherapy. It may, however, be short or long-term, open-ended, or work to a pre-agreed number of sessions. Counselling offers much-needed support during difficult times or help in moving through a personal or family crisis, especially when anxiety or depression are involved. Counselling may also be appropriate in the aftermath of a traumatic event to help restore a sense of stability and safety, to manage symptoms and facilitate healing.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy is a treatment for psychological trauma recommended by many national and international organisations, including our own NHS. It is effective for single event trauma, complex trauma, and PTSD, as well as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, phobias, borderline personality disorder, complicated grief, anger, addictions, medically unexplained symptoms, eating disorders, and some types of physical pain. Gentle but powerful, EMDR does not require a detailed recounting of events. Clients often don’t share what the issue is, and EMDR is effective.
What happens in EMDR therapy?
Initial sessions cover the assessment process, and we agree on what you would like to work on. In subsequent sessions, the reprocessing is accomplished by working with images related to the trauma. These could be visual images, but might also be sounds, smells, tactile memories or other things. Bilateral stimulation facilitates the processing of an image, usually by you watching a light or holding tappers that vibrate. I offer EMDR therapy in-person at my private practice room and online.
Specialist Trauma Therapy
My main specialism is working with people who have experienced psychological trauma. This includes, but is not limited to, PTSD and complex PTSD. A person may feel traumatised when an event has overwhelmed their ability to process it, for example, an assault or an accident, but also from accumulations over time of living or working in highly stressful or abusive situations, especially in childhood. Many other conditions may also benefit from EMDR, for example, anxiety and depression, phobias, and relationship difficulties. If you’re not recovering naturally, specialist trauma-focused therapy can often help to resolve ongoing symptoms that are stopping you from living the life you want.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy:
Reduces PTSD symptoms
Helps individuals manage overwhelming emotions of anger, guilt, shame, or fear
Encourages healthier ways of expressing feelings
Reframes unhelpful beliefs such as ‘it was my fault’ or ‘I am not safe’
Teaches grounding techniques, mindfulness, and calming strategies
Strengthens ability to handle stress and triggers
Helps heal trust and attachment wounds from past experiences
Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
Access therapy wherever you are UK and internationally
Therapy is offered through the online video platform Teams, by telephone, via WhatsApp or in person at my Shrewsbury-based private practice room. Research shows that working online is just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. Online therapy is also highly flexible in terms of where and when you do it. For example, if you travel or live abroad, have irregular work schedules, or perhaps you can’t travel, or you’re struggling to find specialist trauma therapy any other way.
To book an appointment, you can call me directly or get in touch via the secure contact form.
©Allan Hand
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