Childhood Abuse & Trauma

Childhood abuse and trauma is defined by the Children’s Act (1989) as actual or likely harm to a child including ill-treatment (sexual, physical and emotional abuse) and impairment of health (physical or mental) or development (physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural).

The impact of child abuse and trauma can extend well beyond childhood and adolescence.  Some young people who have experienced trauma are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health problems, physical health problems and relationship difficulties in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. 

For both ongoing Children’s victims and survivors of Childhood Abuse and Trauma, it is not uncommon for the individual to be unsure about whether their experiences are/were abusive. Nonetheless, these early experiences are significantly implicated across a wide range of mental health difficulties, making it important that you seek the right support promptly. Some associated mental health conditions include:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Low Self-Esteem
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosexual Disorders
• Sleep Disorders
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
• Specific Phobias 

If you suspect or know that you are a survivor of Childhood Abuse and Trauma, we strongly recommend that you access support with a clinical or counselling psychologist. When childhood trauma is left untreated, issues related to the trauma are often not resolved and as a result can be experienced as long-term difficulties.

Help is at hand, and it is important to know that these experiences were not your fault. A range of specialist therapies and counselling options are available to support you dependent on your individual needs including:

• Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Schema Therapy

We’re here to help.  If you would like to know more about private treatment options for childhood abuse and trauma at our London or Surrey clinics, please contact us so that you can feel confident in the decisions you make about your treatment and working with a psychologist.

Because childhood abuse and trauma effects individuals in many ways and each person will cope and respond to these events differently, we will always offer a thorough initial period of assessment with a psychologist who specialises in this area.  Once this assessment process is complete, we will put together a treatment plan.  Our specialist clinicians are able to provide support to individuals at any stage in their lives; including childhood, adolescence and adulthood. If you are able unable to access our London or Surrey Clinics, online options are also available.

NB: If you are or suspect that you may be a current victim of Childhood (or
Adult) Abuse and Trauma, we recommend that you seek immediate support and help when safe to do so. Whilst the Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic is not a crisis service, we recommend that you seek Urgent Help.