Birth Trauma Therapy in the UK
Specialist CBT Support and Treatment for PTSD After a Difficult Birth
Are You Still Struggling After a Traumatic Birth or Dreading It Happening Again?
Whether you're reliving a traumatic birth from the past or facing another delivery filled with panic and dread, you're not alone.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of birth trauma, PTSD after childbirth, or an overwhelming fear of giving birth again, therapy can help.
I specialise in supporting women who feel stuck in survival mode—disconnected from their bodies, overwhelmed by triggers, and scared that history might repeat itself.
Is This Familiar?
Signs of PTSD After a Traumatic Birth - or in Pregnancy After Traumatic Childbirth?
You've tried everything to move forward:
Reading about trauma or PTSD
Using meditation or mindfulness apps
Telling yourself to “just focus on the baby”
Joining online support groups
Pretending you're “fine” at the GP, hospital or with family and friends
But you're still caught in a cycle of:
Flashbacks when you’re with your baby—or even during intimacy
Racing heart and breathlessness during medical appointments
Avoiding hospitals, scans, or even talking about birth
Feeling guilt, shame, or blaming yourself for how things unfolded
Comparing yourself to other mums who had a positive birth experience
Feeling emotionally hijacked at your baby’s milestones or birthdays
Dreading bedtime or quiet evenings when the panic creeps in
Unable to hear others’ birth stories without reliving your own
Constantly thinking “Why me?” or “What if I’d done something differently?”
These aren’t signs of weakness.
These are the real symptoms of trauma after birth, emergency C-sections, birth injury, or medical violations and they deserve specialist support.
👉 Still not sure if what you went through counts as birth trauma?
Read: Traumatic Birth Recovery — 8 Signs You’re Still Healing (Even Years Later)
It’s time to healWhy Birth Trauma Needs Specialised Support and Treatment?
Why Regular Therapy Often Isn’t Enough for Birth Trauma Recovery?
Unlike general talk therapy, CBT for birth trauma focuses on nervous system regulation, trauma processing, and rebuilding trust in your body and care providers. I help women feel safe again — in their bodies, in their roles as mothers, and in future pregnancies.
➤ Birth Trauma Is More Than a Bad Memory — Here’s How It Actually Shows Up
This post explains how trauma shows up in everyday life long after the birth is over.
That's why general therapy often isn't enough.
You need someone who deeply understands the nuanced layers of birth trauma and can help you process your experience without retraumatisation.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy for Birth PTSD
Learn how therapy can help with childbirth-related PTSD, postnatal anxiety, and fear of future pregnancies.
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Address Flashbacks & Hypervigilance
Through CBT and other therapeutic approaches, we’ll work on grounding techniques that help you manage intrusive memories, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. By recognising triggers and reducing their impact, you’ll begin to feel more in control.
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Process the Trauma Safely
In a compassionate and structured way, we’ll explore your birth trauma. You’ll learn how to process painful memories and emotions, so they no longer hold the same power over you. This can reduce emotional distress and help you regain a sense of peace.
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Manage Trauma/PTSD Symptoms
If you’re experiencing PTSD after your traumatic birth, we’ll work on reducing symptoms like anxiety, irritability, avoidance, and nightmares. You’ll learn coping strategies to manage these feelings in your day-to-day life.
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Build Emotional Resilience
As we progress, we’ll focus on building your emotional resilience—so that when difficult emotions arise, you’re better equipped to handle them without feeling overwhelmed or defeated.
Want a gentle overview before you begin therapy?
Read: How to Heal from Traumatic Birth — A Gentle Guide to Recovery
How Common Is Birth Trauma? Statistics You Should Know?
Studies show that 1 in 3 women describe their birth as traumatic (Ayers, Horsch et al., 2024).
Around 4% of women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after giving birth (Yildiz, Ayers et al., 2017).
Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance are some of the most common PTSD symptoms experienced by those affected by birth trauma.
If you’re dealing with any of these, you’re not alone—and therapy can help you reclaim a sense of peace and safety in your life.
Trauma-Informed, Compassionate Therapy for Women After Difficult Births
✿ Trauma-Informed Care That Honours Your Experience ✿
Unlike general therapists who might focus solely on anxiety management, I help you:
Process your birth story at your own pace
Rebuild trust in your body
Develop practical tools for managing triggers
Reconnect with your baby without flashbacks
Find your voice in medical settings
✿ We Create a Safe Space for ALL Feelings ✿
Here, you won't hear:
"At least you have a healthy baby"
"You should be grateful"
"It's time to move on"
"Others had it worse"
Instead, you'll find:
Validation for your entire experience
Understanding of both trauma and motherhood
Practical tools that work in real moments
Gentle guidance toward healing
For months, I couldn't look at my c-section scar without crying. Working with You helped me process my feelings of failure and find peace with my birth story. I can finally enjoy moments with my baby without the trauma hijacking everything.
Emma
Start Birth Trauma Treatment in 3 Simple Steps
01
Book a 20-Minute Discovery Call
Get clarity on whether CBT for birth trauma is right for you.
Personalised Therapy Plan
Learn how we’ll address symptoms of perinatal PTSD and build emotional safety.
02
Ongoing Support
Weekly sessions with practical tools to manage birth-related triggers, panic, and hypervigilance.
03
Have questions about the therapy?
Q&A-
Common signs include flashbacks, panic attacks, avoidance of medical settings, sleep disturbances, and disconnection from your baby.
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Yes. CBT is one of the most evidence-based therapies for PTSD and can help with emotional regulation, trauma processing, and trigger management after birth trauma.
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Look for a therapist who specialises in trauma-informed care, perinatal mental health, and birth trauma recovery - like I do here at Unscrewing Motherhood.
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The length of therapy depends on your unique situation and needs. Typically, clients find 6-12 sessions helpful for managing anxiety and processing their emotions. However, some may benefit from longer-term support, particularly if they’ve experienced multiple losses or have complex trauma.
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Each therapy session costs £130 for 50 minutes. Payment is required 48 hours before the appointment via a secure payment link sent to your email. Please note that I offer therapy exclusively to self-funded clients, meaning sessions are paid privately. I do not work with insurance companies or public health services.
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The first step is to schedule a free 20-minute call with me. This initial conversation allows us to determine whether we're a good fit and how I can best support you on your journey.
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Yes, I offer psychotherapy sessions in English to clients based internationally, with the exception of those living in the USA and Canada.
If you're located in the USA or Canada, I can provide Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) instead.
Please note: During the assessment, if we determine that this approach isn't the best fit for your needs, my ability to guide you toward alternative services may be limited, as I'm not fully familiar with the healthcare systems in every country.
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I understand that sometimes life can be unpredictable. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, I kindly ask for at least 48 hours' notice. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the appointment will be charged the full session fee, as it’s often difficult to fill the slot at short notice. This policy applies to both therapy and supervision sessions.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
I’m happy to assist further. Simply complete the contact form, and I’ll be in touch to answer any specific questions or discuss your individual needs.
let's get startedReady to Start Healing from a Traumatic Birth?
If you’re looking for private birth trauma therapy and want a therapist who truly understands what you’ve been through — let’s talk. You deserve more than “just be grateful.” You deserve to feel safe, supported, and connected again.