The Psychology of Trauma & Emotions

Why do traumatic experiences leave such a lasting imprint on the mind and body? How does trauma shape emotional responses, leading to overwhelming feelings, shutdown, or unpredictable reactions? Trauma can keep you stuck in survival mode, making it hard to manage emotions or feel safe in your body.

In this talk, we’ll unpack the psychological and neurological mechanisms behind trauma and emotional dysregulation, exploring the roles of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. We’ll examine how trauma affects the nervous system, causing hyperarousal, dissociation, or emotional numbness, and why certain triggers provoke intense responses. We’ll also explore the window of tolerance and ways to expand it, as well as simple, science-backed techniques like grounding, breathwork, and self-soothing strategies to shift from reactivity to calm. This talk provides a deeper understanding of emotional dysregulation and pathways to healing for mental health professionals, those with lived experience, or anyone curious about trauma’s impact.

Doors open at 5pm, talk starts at 5:30pm - come down early and get a good seat!

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Shelley Bradley-Scholey is a Trauma expert in the UK, an accredited EMDR Consultant and CBT Therapist, and a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RNMH). She holds an MSc in CBT Research from the University of Oxford. As the founder of Fortitude Psychological Therapy, Shelley offers therapy, supervision, and teaching for those navigating trauma. She also lectures and supervises Trauma and Personality Disorder courses at Oxford and Exeter, and is a published author and speaker. Her work is centred on understanding trauma from the survivor’s perspective with compassion and authenticity. With 20 years in mental health, Shelley’s career spans the NHS, Private Sector, and Ministry of Defence, including 13 years delivering mental healthcare to Armed Forces personnel, both in the UK and Afghanistan. Her approach combines EMDR, CBT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy.

​This event is 16+ 

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