OCLW is delighted to welcome counsellor and psychotherapist Philippa Smethurst to Wolfson College to launch her impactful new book, 20 Ways to Break Free from Trauma. Philippa will present and discuss her book in conversation with BBC journalist Mike Wooldridge.

Philippa Smethurst is a counsellor, psychotherapist, supervisor, trainer, and author with 30 years of experience. She began writing this book on trauma during the pandemic lockdown when many people felt overwhelmed and were questioning their lives and making changes. To her, unpacking trauma seemed like an appropriate response to a challenge facing our world.

In 20 chapters, the book gives answers to the following questions:

What is trauma?

How do we respond when life feels unbearable?

How might we understand our and others’ complex responses when life feels too much?

Based on real-life experience, this book takes us on a 20-point tour of trauma on both body and mind.

Why 20?

We may know about the ‘fight-flight’ response to being overwhelmed or in danger. We may not know of the numerous and sometimes complex other ways that trauma shows up in our bodies and minds, from dissociation and anger to brain hijacking and trust issues.

Drawing on the latest brain—and body-based research, she uses stories, poetry, and reflective exercises to provide guidance and tools for moving through trauma toward growth and resilience. The book identifies 20 ways that trauma manifests. The premise is that understanding these ways of trauma can be empowering.

The book offers practical steps to help you or someone you support to overcome trauma and become more resilient.

Mike Wooldridge is a veteran BBC journalist with nearly five decades of experience, covering some of the most pivotal global events and human crises. His reporting has spanned from East Africa, where he covered key moments such as Nelson Mandela’s release, to South Asia and beyond. Notably, he was the first journalist to interview Terry Waite after his release from captivity in 1991—Waite has written the foreword for 20 Ways to Break Free from Trauma. Wooldridge’s deep understanding of trauma and resilience, gained from decades of witnessing human suffering and survival, makes him an ideal conversational partner for this event.