Self and Trauma

• This group is suitable for students at any stage of their education who are accessing CAPS regarding previous traumatic experiences which impact their current wellbeing, including e.g. traumatic event(s), adverse childhood experience(s) (ACE), sexual assault (where no further legal or other action is planned), domestic abuse, family or interpersonal relationships. You may be presenting with trauma responses i.e. flashbacks, avoidance, emotional numbing, negative feelings and/or negative self-perception.
• The group will
  • Reflect on the impact of trauma on your self and world view.
  • Contextualise and normalise the impact of trauma.
  • Co-create a containing and safe space to talk and relate with others about living with trauma,
  • Explore and navigate your current lived experience by encouraging curiosity, compassion and opportunity for growth
  • Explore topics such as stimulus and response, sensory soothing, grounding, mindfulness, navigation of interpersonal relationships and identity.
• NB Naming and discussing the traumatic event is not part of the group approach – we will explore the impact and trauma responses in the here and now/future
• The group is facilitated by University Psychological Therapists from the Counselling and Psychotherapy Service (CAPS) and based within Wellbeing and Student Support in Senate house on central campus.
• This is a weekly ‘in person’ group requiring punctual attendance at all 8 sessions. Each session will run for 90 minutes.
• Students interested in this group should discuss this with the person they are currently working with such as Psychological Therapist, University SDAA (Sexual and Domestic Abuse Advisor), Wellbeing advisor etc. They will then be offered a one-to-one pre-group meeting session with the group facilitator(s) to ask any specific questions and to consider whether it is a suitable option at this time.

Feedback from previous group members 2025-6:

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I've been able to balance the perspective of others with my own and I've felt supported every step of the way - even on days I didn't want to turn up. Thank you everyone."

"I found the sessions to be calming - helping me to both relax and reflect on certain issues I might have faced (either the week of the session or in the past). I think it was also nice to know that I wasn’t on my own with my feelings and that there are people who can relate to my feelings. It felt good to be understood in that way and not feel as though I would ever be judged for what I said."

"Enjoyed being in a space and communicating with others who struggle with similar challenges to me. I found the weekly occurrence beneficial"

"Found it a very productive and supportive space "