Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a natural response that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a deeply distressing or life-threatening event. This can include accidents, natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse, medical emergencies, or other situations that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope at the time. Experiencing trauma does not mean someone is weak — it is a normal human reaction to abnormal events.
PTS is different from ordinary stress. While stress often fades once a challenging situation ends, post-traumatic stress can persist long after the event has passed. It may affect thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours, sometimes making everyday life feel difficult or unpredictable.
When a person experiences trauma, the primitive brain (the emotional, survival-focused part) becomes highly active. This triggers the body’s natural “fight, flight, or freeze” response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These reactions help a person survive in the moment but can leave lasting imprints if the brain remains on high alert after the event.
In post-traumatic stress, the brain may continue to perceive threat even when the danger has passed. This can lead to heightened vigilance, difficulty relaxing, intrusive memories, or strong emotional reactions. The intellectual brain (responsible for rational thought and perspective) may struggle to regulate these responses, leaving someone feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected from daily life.
PTS can manifest in various ways, and each person’s experience is unique. Common signs include:
These responses are not a sign of weakness — they are natural mechanisms the brain uses to cope with extreme stress.
Post-traumatic stress is a signal that the mind and body are processing a profoundly challenging experience. Healing often involves creating safety, learning coping strategies, and gradually integrating the memory of the trauma in a manageable way. It is important to approach oneself with compassion and patience, acknowledging that recovery is a journey, not a race.
Support from trained professionals, supportive relationships, and therapeutic approaches can all help regulate the nervous system, reduce distressing symptoms, and build resilience. Treatments such as cognitive therapies, mindfulness practices, and Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can support recovery by calming the mind, strengthening coping mechanisms, and promoting a sense of control and safety.
Post-traumatic stress is not a personal failing — it is a human response to extraordinary circumstances. With understanding, care, and the right support, it is possible to reclaim balance, safety, and confidence in daily life. Healing is gradual, and each small step is meaningful. By approaching PTS with empathy and patience, individuals can learn to live fully, while integrating their experiences in a way that fosters growth, resilience, and hope.
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a natural response to experiencing or witnessing distressing events. While it is normal to feel heightened alertness or distress after trauma, these reactions can sometimes persist and interfere with daily life, relationships, sleep, and overall wellbeing. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy offers a compassionate, practical approach to support recovery and reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories.
Hypnosis, or trance, is a natural state of focused relaxation similar to daydreaming. In this state, the subconscious mind becomes more receptive to new patterns and positive suggestions. SFH uses trance to:
Reduce the emotional intensity of distressing memories
Build coping strategies for triggers
Promote relaxation, calm, and a sense of safety
Reinforce resilience and self-confidence
Through guided visualisation and gentle suggestion, clients can gradually process traumatic memories in a way that feels safe and manageable, reducing their emotional hold over daily life.
Unlike therapies that focus primarily on the past, SFH emphasizes solutions and progress. Sessions explore strengths, resources, and what a calmer, more empowered version of daily life looks like. This future-focused perspective helps clients regain a sense of control, hope, and self-efficacy.
Many people report feeling lighter, more resilient, and better able to manage triggers. SFH works alongside other treatments such as counselling, CBT, or medication, enhancing emotional stability and overall wellbeing.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy does not erase memories of trauma, but it helps transform the way the brain and body respond to them. By calming the nervous system, retraining responses, and encouraging a solution-focused mindset, SFH empowers clients to reduce anxiety, reclaim control, and gradually rebuild confidence and peace in their daily lives.
With patience, support, and practice, living with the aftermath of trauma can become more manageable, allowing individuals to feel safe, resilient, and able to engage fully with life again.
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Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a complementary therapy and should not replace medical care. Individual results vary, and success depends on each client’s motivation and commitment. For any medical concerns, please consult your GP or healthcare professional.