Real Life: Trauma
Trauma: When your body no longer feels under your control
In this honest Real Life conversation, Venessa Scott speaks with writer and director Mari Stracke and psychologist Phil Coombes about Mari’s experience of witnessing a violent attack on a friend and how the effects of trauma emerged over time.
Trauma and avoidance: When your world starts to shrink
In this Real Life epsiode, Venessa Scott speaks with former Police Sergeant Georgie and Clinical Psychologist Phil Coombes about PTSD, hypervigilance and the lasting physical and emotional impact of traumatic experiences.
Meet the participants
Venessa Scott
Venessa presents these Real Life episodes, guiding the conversation between our lived experience experts and specialist clinicians, asking the questions that often don't get answered.
Phil Coombes
Phil Coombes is a highly experienced Psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working across the NHS and private sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and specialises in supporting both children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of mental health challenges. Phil has particular expertise in trauma and self-harm, and also works with conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), behavioural difficulties, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mari Stracke
Mari Stracke is a writer, director and mental health content creator who uses personal storytelling to explore PTSD, anxiety and depression. We chose Mari because she brings emotional honesty, careful reflection and hope to an extremely sensitive subject. She describes how trauma can affect the body, behaviour, identity and sense of safety, while also reflecting on therapy, grounding and learning to understand her body’s responses. Her contribution helps people feel less alone while showing that rebuilding connection and safety can happen gradually and at an individual pace.
Georgie
Georgie is an expert by experience and former Police Sergeant who speaks openly about the lasting impact of trauma and her personal journey of coping and recovery. Drawing on her lived experience and 12 years in policing, she brings a distinctive perspective on trauma, resilience and recognising when support is needed. We chose Georgie because she speaks with courage and emotional honesty about experiences such as hypervigilance, disconnection and feeling misunderstood. Her contribution can help people recognise experiences that may otherwise feel frightening or isolating and feel less ashamed of how their mind and body have responded.
More Real Life episodes
Lived experience. Clinical insight. Practical support. We have episodes about ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and eating disorders.
PTSD test
Explore whether PTSD could be part of what you are experiencing. This short test helps you reflect on common patterns and behaviours linked with PTSD.
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