As I was preparing my recent EMDR accreditation application, I started adding up the numbers from this past year. The figures surprised even me: over 40 new clients and more than 600 hours spent in the therapy room working with trauma. As a therapist based in North Berwick, I wanted to share some reflections on what this year has taught me.

Every Story Matters

Working with over 40 different people this year has reinforced something fundamental: there's no such thing as a "typical" trauma story. I've worked with people recovering from car accidents, childhood trauma, medical trauma, bereavement, and everything in between. Each person's experience is unique, and each person's path to healing looks different.

What I've learned is that trauma doesn't discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life, and the bravery it takes to seek help never fails to humble me.

The Power of Early Intervention

Many of the clients I've worked with this year came to therapy relatively soon after their traumatic experience. Time and again, I've witnessed how early intervention can make such a difference. When we can process trauma before it becomes deeply embedded, recovery often happens more quickly and completely.

However, it's never too late to seek help. While early intervention is particularly powerful for single event traumas, many people come to therapy 10 or more years later, especially those who've experienced complex trauma. When trauma is repeated or a daily occurrence, it often becomes normalised. You might not recognise what you experienced as trauma because it was simply your reality. It's only when circumstances change that you begin to realise the impact. Whenever you come to therapy, healing is possible.

Healing Is Possible

Perhaps the most important thing 600 hours of trauma therapy has taught me is this: healing is genuinely possible. I've watched people move from being controlled by their trauma to reclaiming their lives. I've seen clients who couldn't drive after accidents get back behind the wheel with confidence. I've witnessed people who were struggling to sleep finally find peace.

These aren't miracle cures or quick fixes. They're the result of hard work, courage, and effective, evidence-based therapy. But they're real, and they happen more often than you might think.

Looking Forward

As I reflect on this year, I'm reminded why I do this work. Every hour spent in that therapy room represents someone's courage to face their pain and work towards healing. It's a privilege I never take for granted.

If you're struggling with trauma and wondering whether therapy could help, I hope these reflections offer some encouragement. Healing is possible, and you don't have to face it alone.