Trauma therapy

We provide fully funded specialist trauma therapy sessions for parents and families who have experienced neonatal care in Greater Manchester.

Trauma therapy

Having a baby on the neonatal unit can be an overwhelming experience, which can have a negative impact on your emotional wellbeing. 

Outcomes and journeys are very different for all babies and families, and the support available needs to reflect that.

 

Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who is not a family member or friend and is completely impartial. We work with trauma therapists who offer specialist support to parents who have experienced neonatal care. This includes families, who have sadly experienced a neonatal bereavement.

Working with a trauma therapist

After a deeply intense and traumatic experience, we can feel very overwhelmed and our bodies have their own way of dealing with the stress. These feelings can make us feel uncomfortable and out of control.

 

A therapist can help you understand what’s happening with your nervous system and help you develop tools to cope. Our trauma therapists have extensive experience of working with neonatal parents, using bespoke techniques and therapies that are evidence based and relevant to neonatal experiences. 

 

Our therapy equips parents with tools to deal with stress and anxiety in the long term – helping the transition into parenthood and providing you with the space to process how to navigate life after your experience.

EMDR therapy

One method we use at Spoons is EMDR therapy (eye movement desensitisation reprogramming). This therapy is very different to counselling and is not a talking therapy. 

 

The therapist will gently encourage you to recall traumatic events, whilst asking you to follow their finger with movements from your eyes. The therapy doesn’t just take away symptoms of trauma, it also addresses the past, present and future, helping to achieve better emotional health.

Here’s what one of our parents had to say about the therapy sessions:

“Spoons has been such a constant during a traumatic start to life for our family. I remember meeting someone from Spoons on the ward, but it wasn’t until we got home afterwards that I really appreciated the support we had received whilst Max was on NICU. A friendly face amongst the turmoil was so needed in those first few days. However, for me, it has been the ‘aftercare’ that has really been life changing, and I don’t say that lightly.

 

“Trying to process the trauma of NICU, and grieving for the birth journey and a ‘normal’ start for our son Max was really difficult, and my husband and I really struggled. However, having trauma therapy with Justine has truly been nothing short of miraculous.

 

“After my course of sessions with Justine I feel like a different person. I can’t change what has happened, but I’m now able to look back and not resent or get upset about our experience. I’ve been able to move forward and process the experience, associated trauma and grief in a positive way.

 

“Justine is brilliant – so patient, warm and she creates a safe space where I felt very comfortable being extremely vulnerable. Some of the sessions were difficult and emotionally exhausting, but the lightness that followed made it all worth it.

 

“I was a bit sceptical at first, and afraid of showing that vulnerability, but Justine made it so easy. I would highly recommend the therapy on offer via Spoons for anyone who has had experience of a child on NICU.

 

“My family are so grateful to Spoons for all the support we’ve received.”

 

You can self-refer for trauma therapy with our family support team.

Fundraising

We can’t offer services like trauma therapy without your generosity and support. To help us continue to offer professional support to families, please consider donating.