Counselling in Brighton & Hove
I’m Simon Buckland, an accredited BACP counsellor. I work with adults one-to-one (£70) or in couples (£100) in person and online.
Trauma and Recovery
Healing the after-effects.
Trauma can leave your nervous system stuck in a protective state long after the original danger has passed. Later reminders may trigger anxiety, numbness or distress, but these responses can gradually be healed.
The human nervous system is wonderfully resilient, especially when we’re young. It’s amazing how many minor accidents can happen to us where we just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and just keep going.
But sometimes that isn’t what happens: sometimes the intensity of the shock is such that our system can’t cope, and it goes into partial or complete shutdown. Or a shock which itself is survivable is repeated so often that, again, our system has to partially switch off in order to protect itself. But we obviously can’t shut down completely, so a flavour, usually of anxiety remains even in the ‘switched off’ state.
Then, years later, even after years without any further reinforcement of the trauma, any experience which reminds us of the original experience(s) can suddenly trigger a similar shutdown so we find ourselves feeling to varying extents uneasy, anxious, and numbed out.
This has been known about at least since the First World War, when the soldiers came home with ‘shell shock’, but modern neuroscience provides a comprehensive scientific explanation for how this occurs, the kind of experiences which provoke it – and most of all, how to heal it.
I’ll work with you in two ways to help you heal the after-effects of trauma:
To find ways to nourish and support your nervous system, so as to facilitate the natural healing process.
To ‘de-traumatise’ by learning to talk and think about the original experience or experiences, so that their emotional impact is gradually reduce.
I trained in humanistic and integrative counselling with the Psychosynthesis Trust, London, in Relationship Counselling with Relate, and in sexuality and intimacy work with Jan Day.
I've also done a great deal of my own personal development and self-exploration over the years.
I've been practicing as a counsellor since 2014, working with couples and individuals of all ages, from late teens to over-70s.
You'll find me patient, warm, non-judgemental, and a good listener. And wherever we go on our journey together, it's likely that I've been there myself at some point - which makes me an able and reliable guide.
The Therapy ProcessHow we work together
Together, we pause to consider your goals, hopes, and direction. This is about aligning with yourself and with the journey ahead.
This is a chance to connect with what brought you here—your questions, your hopes, your turning points—and work to build your desired future.
We can work face to face if you live near Brighton or Hove, or online if you prefer, using Zoom, Teams, or any platform of your choice.
My fee is £70 per 50-minute one-to-one session (£100 for couples).
Phone ConsultationYou get a feel for how it is to work together and we plan a way forward.
Trial SessionWe spend time identifying the key issues that you’d like to work on.
Subsequent SessionsWe push forward, building your understanding and coping strategies.
CompletionWe will know when you have become confident and self-reliant.
CommitmentI will continue to be available as long as you find it helpful.
