Making sense of trauma, one memory at a time.

Understanding CT-PTSD: The Linen Cupboard Metaphor

A helpful way to understand CT-PTSD is to imagine an overfilled linen cupboard.

When life is overwhelming or traumatic, experiences can be “packed away” quickly in the mind without being properly processed. Instead of being neatly stored, they are left in a disorganised state.

When the cupboard door opens, things may spill out unexpectedly.

Traumatic memories can feel the same. They may return suddenly as:

intrusive images or flashbacks
strong emotions such as fear, shame or anger
physical sensations like a racing heart or tension

Because these memories are not fully processed, the brain reacts as if the danger is still happening now.

CT-PTSD helps you and your therapist gently “reorganise the cupboard” so that memories are stored in a way that belongs to the past, not the present.

What is Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD)? | Trauma-Focused Therapy with Dr Eve da Silva

Cognitive Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CT-PTSD) is a specialist, evidence-based psychological treatment for PTSD. It is recommended in UK clinical guidelines (including NICE) and is designed to help people recover from the lasting effects of trauma.

CT-PTSD focuses on how traumatic memories are stored and how they continue to affect thoughts, emotions, body sensations and day-to-day life. Rather than avoiding memories, the therapy helps you process them safely so they no longer feel as if they are happening in the present.

Dr Eve da Silva is an experienced trauma-focused therapist specialising in CT-PTSD. Her work supports adults who are struggling with the impact of trauma, including flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbing and persistent feelings of threat or shame.

How Cognitive Therapy for PTSD works

In CT-PTSD, you work collaboratively with your therapist to:

make sense of what happened during and after the trauma
understand how the trauma has affected your beliefs about yourself, others and the world
process traumatic memories at a safe and manageable pace
reduce flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of current threat
rebuild a sense of safety, confidence and connection with life

The aim is not to erase memories, but to change how they are experienced so they no longer feel overwhelming or present.

A Key Message from CT-PTSD

Recovery does not mean forgetting what happened.

It means helping your mind store those memories in a way that no longer overwhelms your present life.

With the right support, traumatic memories can become part of your past—no longer something that keeps breaking into your present.

What to Expect from CT-PTSD Therapy with Dr Eve da Silva

Working with a trauma-focused CT-PTSD therapist like Dr Eve da Silva means you are supported in a structured, compassionate and collaborative way.

You can expect:

A clear, step-by-step approach so you always know what is happening in therapy
Pacing that respects your readiness, with no pressure to go faster than feels safe
Support in managing distress, including grounding and stabilisation techniques
Work on specific traumatic memories, when you feel ready
Attention to meaning, including beliefs such as “it was my fault” or “I am not safe”
Reconnection with life, including activities, relationships and confidence that may have been affected by trauma

You remain in control throughout. You can pause, ask questions, or slow the work down at any time.

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