Conditions treated
Evidence-based treatment for trauma, delivered at a pace that is right for you. Trauma-focused CBT from an experienced clinical psychologist — in a setting where you are in control of how and when the work unfolds.
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop following exposure to a traumatic event — or series of events — that involved actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This includes direct experience, witnessing events happen to others, or repeated exposure to traumatic content (as in emergency services or military contexts).
PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It reflects the way the brain and body respond to overwhelming experience — an adaptive survival response that has become stuck. Understanding this is often the first step in recovery.
PTSD is also not the only way trauma can present. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is recognised when trauma has been prolonged, repeated, or interpersonal in nature — such as childhood abuse or domestic violence. C-PTSD involves the core features of PTSD alongside difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships.
Talk to Dr Mitchell about trauma treatmentSymptoms
PTSD typically involves symptoms across four clusters. These can vary widely between individuals — the pattern and intensity of symptoms is shaped by the nature of the trauma, the person’s history, and the context in which they are living now.
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or intense distress when reminded of the trauma. These can feel as vivid and immediate as the original event.
Deliberately avoiding thoughts, feelings, people, places, or activities associated with the trauma. This provides short-term relief but maintains the problem over time.
Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world (“I’m broken”, “nowhere is safe”), emotional numbness, guilt, shame, or estrangement from others.
Being constantly on alert, exaggerated startle response, difficulty sleeping, irritability or anger, poor concentration.
In C-PTSD, these symptoms are often accompanied by profound difficulties with emotional regulation, deep-seated negative self-concept, and significant difficulties in close relationships.
Evidence-based treatment
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines recommend specific trauma-focused psychological therapies as the first-line treatment for PTSD. These are not generic talking therapies — they are structured, evidence-based interventions with a strong research base.
Trauma-focused psychological therapies are significantly more effective than medication alone for PTSD. Multiple randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses support their use. Recovery is possible with the right treatment.
TF-CBT is the primary evidence-based treatment for PTSD and the main approach used in Dr Mitchell’s practice. It works by directly engaging with traumatic memories in a structured, controlled way — not to relive them, but to help the brain process them properly so they can be stored as past events rather than intruding into the present.
Where helpful, TF-CBT is supplemented with imagery rescripting — a technique for working with particularly distressing trauma images, helping to shift their emotional impact. Dr Mitchell is also trained in EMDR, though this is used rarely and TF-CBT remains the primary approach throughout.
It is worth being clear about what this involves in practice. Direct work with traumatic memories does not happen straight away. The early part of therapy is focused on building a strong working relationship, understanding your history and how PTSD has developed in your particular case, and ensuring you have the tools to manage difficult emotions when they arise. Trauma processing begins only when there is a solid foundation — and you are always in the lead on when that feels right. Key components of TF-CBT include:
For presentations involving prolonged or repeated trauma, a phased treatment approach is recommended. This recognises that trauma processing is best done from a stable foundation.
Building the capacity to manage difficult emotions, establishing safety, psychoeducation, and developing coping skills. This phase is not preliminary — it is therapeutic in itself and essential groundwork for what follows.
Engaging directly with traumatic memories using evidence-based techniques (TF-CBT, EMDR) in a carefully paced way. The aim is to reduce the power and intrusiveness of traumatic material so it no longer dominates daily life.
Consolidating gains, building a positive sense of identity and future, strengthening relationships, and returning to meaningful life activities. The focus shifts from the past to what comes next.
The pace and structure of treatment is always determined collaboratively, based on your formulation and what you are ready for. Sessions are available in person in Aberdeen or remotely.
What to expect
Many people considering trauma therapy share the same concern: will I have to go straight into talking about what happened? The answer is no. The early sessions are about getting to know you — understanding your history, how PTSD has developed in your particular case, and building the kind of therapeutic relationship in which difficult work can safely happen. You will not be asked to recount traumatic events until you are ready, and readiness is something you determine, not your therapist.
Evidence consistently shows that trauma-focused therapy — even though it ultimately involves working with difficult memories — leads to greater and more lasting improvement than approaches that avoid the traumatic content. The goal is not to make you relive what happened, but to help your mind finally process it so that it stops intruding on the present. You are in control of the pace throughout.
Duration: Trauma-focused therapy is generally a medium-term commitment. For straightforward single-incident presentations this may mean a number of months; more complex presentations typically take longer. Duration is always discussed openly and reviewed as treatment progresses.
Format: Sessions are available in person in Aberdeen or remotely via secure video. Both formats have been shown to be effective for trauma-focused work. If you use BUPA, Aviva, Healix, WPA, or another major insurer, please check your policy before getting in touch.
Who this service is for
In practice, the majority of Dr Mitchell’s trauma work involves single-event PTSD presentations — for example, a road traffic accident, a medical emergency, an assault, or a traumatic bereavement. A smaller number of Complex PTSD cases may be appropriate, depending on the nature of the trauma and individual circumstances. This is something that can be explored openly at an initial consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
Where a different specialist or therapist may be a better fit, Dr Mitchell is happy to discuss this and facilitate a referral. For example, a female survivor of childhood sexual abuse may feel more comfortable working with a female psychologist — and Dr Mitchell can make an introduction to a suitable colleague in those cases. The priority is that you end up with the right support, whoever provides it.
Take the first step
Reaching out when you are carrying the weight of trauma takes courage. An initial consultation is a chance to talk about what has happened, what you are looking for, and whether this feels like the right fit — with no obligation to proceed.
Request a consultation