Groups & Courses
CPTSD Support Group
CPTSD Support Group Online
I offer CPTSD support groups, group therapy and coaching online from my UK based hypnotherapy service. Groups are designed to help people overcome anxiety, attachment issues, low self-esteem, childhood trauma and addictions, using group coaching, hypnotherapy and inner child work. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation and you can find all the information about my fees and packages below.
What is CPTSD?
CPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder) refers to a set of symptoms that are the result of prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences, ongoing abuse or domestic violence.
It is most commonly linked to childhood trauma, from growing up in dysfunctional homes or being physically, emotionally abused or neglected over time.
The symptoms of CPTSD include symptoms of standard PTSD, such as flashbacks, hypervigilance and emotional triggers.
However, it also comes with severe emotional regulation issues, low self-worth, poor impulse control and difficulties with relationships in adulthood.
Some common causes of CPTSD include:
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Losing a parent due to abandonment, incarceration, death or suicide
- Having one or more parents who are addicted to alcohol or drugs
- Being subject to or witnessing ongoing domestic violence
- Frequent exposure to inappropriate sexual behaviour, or being forced into sexual acts
- Being removed from the family home or placed into car
- Living in squalid conditions, poverty or homelessness
- Prolonged bullying, either by family members, peers or other adults
- Imprisonment, isolation or torture of any kind
Because connection is often quite difficult for people living with CPTSD, many people find themselves spending large amounts of time alone.
CPTSD support groups can help break patterns of isolation and help you connect you with people who understand.
Signs of CPTSD
CPTSD can affect every aspect of daily life and it can lead to further mental health issues. There is no shame in struggling with CPTSD and with the right support and guidance it is possible to recover.
If you grew up in a dysfunctional family or if you’ve suffered ongoing abuse of any kind, particularly in childhood, you might feel affected by some of these symptoms.
Please note, this list is not intended to diagnose or label you or anyone. If you are in crisis or are having mental health issues related to trauma, please consult your GP or a medical professional.
Some signs of CPTSD can include:
- Panic attacks, extreme anxiousness or sudden overwhelm
- Feelings of low self-worth, fear of being seen as bad or defective
- Intense fear of rejection or abandonment
- Difficulty expressing or moderating emotions appropriately
- Mood swings, sudden bouts of depression or extreme anxiety
- Rage outbursts or uncontrolled anger
- Intensity in relationships and difficulty maintaining healthy connections
- Black and white thinking, seeing people as “all bad” or “all good” depending on the moment
- Emotional and/or visual flashbacks and intrusive thoughts
- Feelings of deep shame or being unlovable
- People pleasing behaviour and poor boundaries
- Codependency in relationships, tendency to rescue or be rescued
- Poor impulse control, acting out behaviours in relationships, overspending, overeating etc
- Overspending and poor financial skills
- Addiction to substances, alcohol, sex, gambling or other behaviours
- Self-sabotage and difficulty maintaining self-care
What Causes CPTSD?
CPTSD is often rooted in childhood trauma, ongoing exposure to trauma in adulthood, or long term abuse. The causes can vary and are not always the result of intentional abuse.
It is important to note that CPTSD is a severe mental health issue with extremely destabilising symptoms. It is usually related to cumulative trauma rather than singular traumatic events more commonly related to standard PTSD.
Here are some common causes of CPTSD:
Childhood experiences that can lead to CPTSD (ongoing or combined)
- Neglect, physical or sexual abuse, particularly by a trusted family member
- Parent/s addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or other behaviours
- Exposure to domestic violence
- A parent going to prison or being removed from the family suddenly or by force
- Grief or loss of a loved one
- Mental health issues or physical illness in the family, especially if long term
- Abandonment or rejection by a parent
- Growing up in war or poverty
- Ongoing bullying by peers, siblings or other family members
- Being forced to work or do tasks beyond the capacity of the child
Adult experiences that can lead to CPTSD (ongoing or combined)
- Ongoing domestic violence or abuse
- Being forced into sex work or slavery
- Living in a war torn country
- Fleeing home country due to war, exploitation or corruption
- Financial abuse or exploitation
- Multiple experiences of grief or loss of multiple loved ones simultaneously
- Repeated sexual assault
- Being groomed into gangs or criminal rings
- Brain washing or cult manipulation
- Loved ones or partners addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or other behaviours
- Being a carer for loved ones with mental health issues or long term illness
What to Expect From This CPTSD Support Group
- Weekly 1.5 hour live online group coaching and support sessions (1X per week)
- 1X 30 minute live online group meditation session per week (recording available)
- Workshops to help overcome barriers to healthy relationships, self-care and connection
- Weekly follow along videos for self-regulation techniques
- Free copy of my e-book Heal Your Inner Child with guided hypnosis audios and exercises
- Access to online support community
- Self-care support tools
- A safe and supportive environment to connect and heal with likeminded souls
£65 per month
Concessions available for people on low incomes. Please get in touch to discuss.
Online sessions
Access sessions from anywhere online. Get support from the comfort of home.
Free E-book and Audios
Receive a free copy of my ebook, Heal Your Inner Child, including hypnosis audios.
Who This CPTSD Support Group is For
I offer run regular online CPTSD support groups for adults from my UK based hypnotherapy service. Online sessions allow you to access sessions from anywhere in the UK and around the world.
The CPTSD Support Group might be for you if:
- You’ve experienced childhood or repeated trauma and resonate with the symptoms of CPTSD (no diagnosis needed)
- You’re ready to break old patterns and beliefs holding you back from living life happily
- You want to increase connection in your life and learn healthy relating skills
- Individual therapy feels scary or too intense
- You want to learn techniques and tools for self-regulation and self-care
- Therapy is out of your budget but you need support
- You are ready to take charge of your life and start healing form the past
This option may not be for you if:
- You want a quick fix to all of your problems without doing any of the work
- Hearing about other people’s struggles is too triggering for you
- Being around other people makes you angry, agitated or unkind
- You’re in mental health crisis or having thoughts about harming yourself (please call 111 or 999)
You can book a free 30 minute telephone consultation so we can discuss your goals and see if this option is a good fit before signing up.
Let’s start with a chat and get you started on your journey to personal growth and freedom!
CPTSD Support Group FAQ
Do I need a diagnosis of CPTSD to join this online group?
No, you don’t need an official diagnosis to join this online CPTSD support group. This online support group is for anyone who identifies with the symptoms of CPTSD.
Will I need to talk about my trauma with the group?
No, you don’t need to share anything that you don’t feel comfortable sharing. There will be opportunities to share which are optional. Sometimes just being present and hearing other people’s stories can be very healing.
What happens in a group therapy or coaching session?
Group therapy and coaching can be a fun and healing experience which supports collective growth and connection. Each week, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with others, share experiences and get support, take part in therapeutic exercises to support nervous system regulation and explore topics to help overcome barriers to living life happily.
You’ll also be guided with group hypnosis sessions, setting personal goals and get access to personal development tools for use between sessions.
How do I know if this CPTSD Support Group is right for me?
If you’ve experienced childhood trauma or ongoing exposure to trauma in adulthood, you might benefit from this online support group. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation where I can answer any questions and see if this feels like the right option for you.
How many weeks is this course?
The course takes a new intake every 8 weeks, with a week in between blocks. This gives new comers the chance to start alongside each other and feel more comfortable.
You can stay on for as many weeks as you like and you can leave when you are ready.
Is there a concession rate for people on low incomes?
Yes, I offer a sliding scale for people on low incomes with no proof required. The usual monthly fee is £65 per month. Concession rates are £25 for people on benefits and £45 per month for people on low incomes. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to discuss a concession pass.