Trauma Counselling
in Belfast,
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
Understanding Relational and Attachment Trauma
Relational and attachment trauma stems from early experiences of disconnection, which can profoundly shape how we see ourselves and interact with the world. These traumas often form unconscious patterns that impact our sense of identity, regulate our emotions, and influence our behaviors and relationships. Left unaddressed, these patterns can lead to feelings of isolation, difficulty trusting others, or struggles with self-worth. By acknowledging and exploring these deep-seated experiences, we can begin to unravel their influence, offering a path to greater self-understanding and emotional healing.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Key Information
An Integrated Approach to Healing
To address relational and attachment trauma effectively, I integrate psychodynamic, humanistic, and body-centered approaches. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on uncovering unconscious patterns and understanding how past experiences shape present behaviors. A humanistic approach emphasizes self-compassion, growth, and the individual’s inherent potential for change. Body-centered techniques involve tuning into physical sensations and responses, recognizing the body as a key reservoir of emotional memory. This comprehensive approach allows us to work with trauma on multiple levels—intellectual, emotional, and physical—creating a holistic foundation for recovery and reconnection.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Trauma Counselling can help with
Trauma counselling provides a safe and supportive space to process painful past experiences and their ongoing impact. It aims to help individuals navigate the complex emotions, behaviors, and physiological responses triggered by trauma. Whether the trauma stems from childhood experiences, sudden life events, or relational challenges, counselling helps clients to uncover, understand, and work through these challenges. By exploring the effects of trauma, clients can begin to rebuild their sense of safety, regain emotional balance, and develop healthier coping mechanisms for the future.
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Rebuilding Emotional Resilience
Trauma counselling helps individuals process overwhelming emotions and develop tools to manage anxiety, fear, and stress, enabling them to regain a sense of emotional stability and resilience.
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Healing Relationships
By addressing the impact of trauma on trust and attachment, counselling supports individuals in building stronger, more secure relationships and overcoming patterns of disconnection.
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Reducing Physical Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma often manifests in the body as tension, fatigue, or chronic pain. Counselling uses techniques such as mindfulness and body awareness to address these physical symptoms, fostering overall well-being.
The Process
Restoring Inner Balance
Trauma can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed by intense emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness, disrupting their sense of control. Trauma counselling provides the tools and strategies needed to process these emotions safely, allowing individuals to regain emotional stability and self-confidence. Techniques like mindfulness, grounding exercises, and cognitive reframing help clients navigate triggers, reprocess traumatic memories, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By building emotional resilience, clients can manage their responses more effectively, fostering a sense of inner calm and self-assurance.
Rebuilding Connections
Unresolved trauma often affects how individuals relate to others, leading to difficulties with trust, attachment, and communication. Trauma counselling helps clients explore the ways past experiences have shaped their current relationships and equips them with tools to rebuild trust, set boundaries, and form meaningful connections. By addressing feelings of rejection, abandonment, or insecurity, clients can develop healthier relational patterns and foster deeper, more supportive interactions with others. This process strengthens the ability to connect authentically and rebuilds a foundation of secure and fulfilling relationships.
Addressing the Body’s Response to Trauma
Trauma frequently manifests in the body, contributing to physical symptoms like chronic pain, muscle tension, or fatigue. Trauma counselling incorporates body-centered approaches, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to help clients tune into their body’s signals and release stored tension. This process allows individuals to identify how trauma has impacted their physical well-being and to reconnect with their body in a safe and empowering way. Over time, clients often experience reduced physical symptoms, greater self-awareness, and an improved sense of grounding and presence in their daily lives.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
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Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
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Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
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Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
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Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
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Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
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Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
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Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
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Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
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Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
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Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
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Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber