Therapy for complex trauma & PTSD

This page is for GPs and other health professionals referring adults for psychological therapy where complex trauma is the primary presentation.

I provide structured, evidence-based therapy for adults, with a particular focus on complex trauma and high-functioning, masking professionals.

Submit referral form

Current wait time: approximately 1 week
Delivery: Online (UK-wide and international)
Fees/funding: This is a private service. Sessions are self-funded. (Click here for fee information.) If the client has private health insurance, they typically pay upfront and then claim reimbursement (subject to their policy).
HCPC: PYL35705

When this is a good fit

Referrals are often a good fit when a client:

  • Presents with complex trauma features (CPTSD-style difficulties) and/or a history of developmental/relational trauma

  • Is high-functioning externally but struggling with shame, emotional dysregulation, relationship patterns, or chronic threat sensitivity

  • Has longstanding patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, over-control, or avoidance

  • Wants structured, skills-based therapy with clear pacing and practical tools

  • May be neurodivergent and benefits from an ADHD-informed approach to structure and delivery

Common presentations

Referrals commonly include:

  • Chronic shame, self-criticism, and “never good enough” beliefs

  • Emotional dysregulation, overwhelm, shutdown, or numbness

  • Relationship difficulties linked to trauma history (trust, boundaries, fear of conflict)

  • Hypervigilance and persistent threat sensitivity

  • Intrusive memories and trauma reminders (where present)

  • Avoidance, dissociation/spacing out (where relevant)

  • Burnout and chronic stress where trauma is a maintaining factor

What therapy focuses on

Therapy is collaborative, structured, and paced with safety in mind. Depending on presentation, work may include:

  • Stabilisation and capacity-building (grounding, regulation, sleep, distress tolerance)

  • Understanding maintaining patterns (shame, avoidance, over-control, people-pleasing)

  • Trauma processing where clinically appropriate (including EMDR)

  • Integration work: boundaries, identity, self-compassion without “fluff”, sustainable routines

  • Relapse prevention and consolidation:

Therapy approach

Therapy is collaborative, structured, and skills-based. I primarily use:

  • EMDR

  • CBT

  • Trauma-informed, neurodiversity-informed adaptations (clear structure, practical tools, and a focus on functioning)

Where clinically appropriate, work often follows a phased approach (stabilisation → processing → integration), with careful pacing and attention to safety.

  • Private outpatient therapy isn’t the right setting for every presentation. I’m not able to accept referrals where there is:

    • Active suicidality

    • High risk of harm to self or others

    • Substance dependence

    • Unmanaged psychosis

    • Severe eating disorders

    • Any presentation that is otherwise unsuited to private practice/outpatient work or requires a higher level of care

  • To help me screen for fit and offer the right level of care, it’s helpful if the referral includes:

    • Reason for referral (main difficulties and what you’d like therapy to support)

    • Risk summary (any current/historical risk issues and your current risk plan, if applicable)

    • Relevant history (brief mental health history; high-level trauma history; previous therapy/treatment response)

    • Current treatment (medication(s) and any other services involved)

    • Practicalities (any reasonable adjustments that would support engagement)

    • Client goal (what the client wants to be different after therapy)

How to refer

If you have a referral query, please contact Dr Thanh Luu directly (thanh@beyondtraumapsychology.com).

Submit referral form