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Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 8pm Thursday 9am - 7pm Friday 9am - 6pm

Future-edge Therapy

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United Kingdom
Bedford
Future-edge Therapy

We specialise in treating trauma and PTSD using fully trained licensed therapists. I work from my office at Bedford Heights, Brickhill Road, Bedford, MK41 7PH.

My name is Bonita Ackerman du Preez and I’m your qualified Registered Mental Health Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Hypnotist, TimeLine, Rewind, NLP, FLASH EMDR, Brainspotting, Kinetic Shift, EMDR and IEMT practitioner and I offer training and coaching in Confidence and Resilience from my base in Bedford, Bedfordshire. There is plenty of free and easy to find parking. I help you make changes to your personal and professional life quickly, giving you the power to deal with mental, emotional and psychological issues. I specialise in trauma, anxiety, stress, PTSD, NLP, Kinetic Shift, EMDR, IEMT, grief recovery & I am a trained Brainspotting Practitioner. If you are committed to change and prepared to make the effort, I am the right person to help you now. I have a friendly, deeply caring and direct approach to therapy, helping you become accountable for your new self. I have recently launched The Anxiety Recovery School for women, a safe haven for women to talk about anxiety, stress, personal and professional issues. I will be Live in the group each week teaching tangible techniques and processes to help you learn to manage and control anxiety and stress. There will be guest speaker in the closed Facebook group each month bringing huge value to you. Please download my FREE workbook - five top tips to tame your worry monster using the link below. Check your email from me to download the link and to join the Facebook group. https://www.anxietyrecoveryschool.com/tame-your-worry-monster

Or join the group directly:

https://urlgeni.us/facebook/PawTheAnxietyRecoverySchool

Why my work is unique...

I use what I call an 'Integrated Therapy System' or 'ITS" developed by using the 1380 hours of trauma recovery experience working one to one with individuals and children! Anxiety and stress management:

We all feel anxious or stressed at times. If you constantly feel burnt out, tired or unable to make decisions, you are likely to be suffering from anxiety, stress or both. Do you wake up feeling overwhelmed, tight chested, agitated or dread leaving home? Symptoms may differ from person to person, but anxiety is high because of the way we live. It’s your body’s automatic fight, flight or freeze response. Anxiety is simply a state of mind. Most of the time these anxieties and stresses may never happen, but it feels real for you. Some people may experience temporary anxiety at some point in their life. It could feel like nervousness or fear with is a perfectly normal reaction to a stressful situation. However, other people are ruled by a constant heightened feeling of constant anxiety which is completely overpowering. Can you answer yes to any of the following questions? Are you constantly tense, worried, on edge, irritable or have mood swings? Does your anxiety interfere with your work, school, or family responsibilities? Do you have difficulty concentrating on tasks or making decisions? Are you plagued by fears that you know are irrational, but can’t shake? Do you believe that something bad will happen if things aren’t done a certain way? Do you avoid everyday situations or activities because they cause you anxiety? Do you experience sudden, unexpected attacks or heart-pounding panic? Do you feel like danger and catastrophe are around every corner? Do you suffer from a lack of sleep or being kept awake at night with constant negative thoughts? Do you feel exhausted even though you have slept? Do you often feel restless or suffer with sweating or nausea? Do you suffer from muscular pain and aches (not relating to exercise)? Do you have panic attacks and you cannot understand why? The effects of anxiety on the body are profound and could have serious consequences on your health and wellbeing. These could include:

Weight gain even while “dieting”
Severe headaches or migraines
Breathing problems
Rapid heart rate or palpitations
Chest pain
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea or constipation
Depression
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Muscle aches and other pains
Extreme fatigue
Increase in blood pressure
Lowered immune system

Trauma & PTSD

What is trauma or PTSD? Trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing frightening event which overwhelms the body’s natural coping mechanism, causing feelings of helplessness, diminished sense of self and the inability to feel a full range of emotions. Trauma is a normal reaction to a horrible event; however, the effects can be so severe they interfere with a person’s natural ability to live a normal life. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can develop after being involved in, or witnessing, traumatic events. The condition was first recognised in war veterans and has been known as 'shell shock', but it's not only diagnosed in soldiers. Trauma therapy involves using various process and techniques working directly with the subconscious mind, the amygdala - a small part of the brain responsible for our feelings, emotions and reactions, the pre-frontal cortex and the hypocampus. It is directly linked to how we act and react. A traumatic event overloads the brain's normal stress management ability and our memory of the trauma becomes fragmented and filed in the wrong area of the brain. Trauma is person specific as we all think and feel differently. What causes trauma? Catastrophic illness or injury
Childhood abuse (emotional or sexual)
War
Childhood neglect or abandonment
Rape
Domestic abuse
Natural disasters
Birth stress for both mother and infant
Invasive medical and dental procedures
Accidents such as car crashes and falls
Witnessing an act of violence

How can trauma affect you? When you experience a traumatic event, your body’s defence system – fight, flight or freeze creates a stress response, which can make you feel a variety of physical symptoms, behave differently and experience more intense emotions. When suffering trauma, the body produces a chemical reaction can lead to symptoms such as:

Raised blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Increased sweating
Reduced or loss of appetite
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Flashbacks
Unwanted feelings & thoughts
Sleeplessness
Hopelessness
Eating disorders
Nightmares
Anxiety, fears and feeling stressed
Memory loss
Headaches/migraines or muscle pain
Anger
Emotionally unstable
Uncharacteristic behaviour

Grief recovery

Grief is an overwhelming feeling of emotion that stops your body and mind functioning on a daily basis. The simplest task become unbearable. Grief affects our coping ability and overwhelms the bodies immune system increasing inflammation in the body creating health problems. The heartbreak of grief causes an increase in blood pressure and puts strain on your whole body. Grief causes the body and mind to disconnect and brings on immense feelings of loss. Overcoming grief is a step for step program that must include the body and mind reconnecting. Grief has 5 stages of recovery and an individual who is suffering from grief, must be taken through each stage carefully. Fears and Phobias

Is your phobia keeping you from doing the things you like to do? Do you recognise you have a fear or phobia, but you are uncertain of how to deal with it? Do you feel your fear is irrational, yet it’s difficult to keep control over it? Is the fear automatic and completely overwhelming or hugely over exaggerated? Understanding your fear or phobia is the first step to overcoming it. Fears and phobias could include:

Fear of flying
Fear of spiders or insects
Fear of birds
Fear of snakes
Fear of needles
Fear of clowns
Fear of public speaking
Fear of heights
Exams stress or taking exams
Fear of vomiting
Fear of the sight of blood
Fear of open spaces or buildings
Fear of heights
Fear of dogs
Fear of the dentist or doctor
Fear of the dark
Fear of motorway driving
Fear of social situations

The benefits of working with me? I help to change thinking patterns using which addresses anxiety
Feel and see change within yourself immediately
Experience deep relaxation
Have instant control and confidence during and after each session
Allow your subconscious mind to function on making the connections links it needs from the suggestions made during the session. Feel and see change within yourself immediately
Experience deep relaxation
Have control and confidence during and after your session allowing your subconscious mind to function on making the connections and links it needs to from the suggestions which were made during the session

How long will it take? Effective treatment usually takes between 3 – 9 sessions but in some cases could continue for some time. Alongside hypnosis, I use a combination of several techniques to quickly dissipate your unwanted strongest negative feelings and emotions. Once these are under control, changes happens rapidly. I work differently, using my skill set to move your mind and focus forward. For the brain to repair and reconnect it needs to set goals and see value in the future. Using these as my guidelines we work together to create your new direction quickly. Sessions are one hour long and at times it may be necessary to ask to complete additional work and exercises at home to guarantee continued success

Sessions are priced at £95 per session, however packages of 7 sessions can be purchased at a discounted rate. Book a free DISCOVERY CALL here to find out how I can help you further. Find in depth detail on my full website at www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk. Contact me for a FREE 30 min no obligation chat to see if I can help you. I would love to help. WHY NOT MEET ME ON Youtube? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJPzm5DR4E4

For a more comprehensive explanation of each technique please visit

http://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk

26/02/2026

Menopause isn’t just a hormonal shift. It creates real, measurable changes in the brain that can affect memory, emotional regulation, and how clearly you think. When unresolved trauma is already keeping the brain stuck in survival mode, menopause can intensify feelings of mental fog, emotional reactivity, and disconnection from yourself.

At Future-edge Therapy, we work with the brain, not against it, using a structured trauma recovery approach that helps the nervous system settle, higher thinking return, and emotional balance rebuild.

23/02/2026

Menopause, Brain Health, and the Importance of Trauma-Aware Support

A growing body of research shows that menopause is linked to changes in both grey and white matter in the brain, particularly in regions involved in memory, learning, and emotional control. While researchers are careful not to claim that these changes directly cause dementia, they do highlight that menopause is a significant neurological transition that deserves proper attention.

For women with a trauma history, these changes can feel particularly unsettling. Trauma can sensitise the nervous system and affect how the brain processes stress and emotion. When menopause adds further strain to these systems, women may experience heightened emotional responses, reduced concentration, or a loss of confidence in their cognitive abilities.

At Future-Edge Therapy, we recognise that menopause and trauma often intersect. This is why our work begins with a comprehensive Trauma Impact Assessment and follows a six-pillar therapeutic approach that supports emotional regulation, nervous system stability, and long-term recovery.
We focus on providing practical tools, therapeutic structure, and trauma-aware care that supports both mental and neurological well-being. Our goal is not simply symptom management, but helping women feel grounded, capable, and supported during this stage of life.

If menopause has brought unexpected emotional or cognitive challenges, you do not need to face them alone. With the right assessment and therapeutic support, it is possible to navigate this transition with greater clarity and confidence.

As part of the Future-Edge Therapy team, Mary specialises in supporting women whose mental and emotional health has been affected by trauma and life-stage changes such as menopause. Her background as a qualified nurse, combined with her training as a PTSD and trauma therapist, allows her to work with a deep awareness of how trauma and hormonal transitions can influence the brain and nervous system.

Mary provides calm, trauma-aware support that helps women feel safe, understood, and guided through recovery, with a strong focus on restoring balance, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Contact us here: https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/
Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qpp1g5ylvo

19/02/2026

Unresolved trauma changes how the brain uses its energy, shifting everything toward survival and away from learning, focus, and emotional regulation. When menopause is layered on top, the brain undergoes further neurological changes that can show up as anxiety, brain fog, and emotional volatility.

What’s often called “brain shrink” isn’t damage, it’s the brain adapting to long-term stress by staying in a defensive state. This is why trauma recovery work has to go deeper than coping strategies, helping the nervous system switch off chronic alarm, restore clear thinking, and rebuild emotional stability for long-term brain health.

16/02/2026

Here is why Menopause Can Feel Harder When Trauma Is Part of Your History

Recent research has shown that menopause is associated with physical changes in the brain, particularly in areas involved in memory, attention, and emotional regulation. These findings come from one of the largest studies of women’s brain health conducted in the UK and add to growing evidence that menopause affects more than hormones alone.

The areas identified in the study, including the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex, are also regions that are commonly impacted by trauma. This means that women who have experienced trauma earlier in life may feel the effects of menopause more strongly, both emotionally and cognitively.
Many women describe feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally reactive, or mentally foggy during this stage of life. These experiences are often dismissed as stress or ageing, but neuroscience shows there is a real biological basis for what women are feeling.

At Future-Edge Therapy, we specialise in trauma recovery across the lifespan, including for women navigating menopause. Our Trauma Impact Assessment allows us to understand how trauma is currently affecting the brain and nervous system, and our six pillars of therapy provide a clear, structured framework for recovery.

This work is not about reliving the past unnecessarily. It is about helping the brain and nervous system regain stability, resilience, and balance so that women can move through menopause feeling supported rather than depleted.
Asking for help during this transition is not a weakness. It is a proactive step towards protecting long-term mental and emotional health.

Mary is a specialist therapist at Future-Edge Therapy with a strong focus on women’s health and trauma recovery. With a professional nursing qualification and specialist training in PTSD and trauma therapy, she brings a comprehensive understanding of how physical health, neurological change, and emotional wellbeing interact.

Mary has particular insight into the impact that menopause can have on women who have experienced trauma, and she works sensitively with clients to support emotional regulation, mental clarity, and nervous system stability. Her approach is structured, supportive, and grounded in both clinical knowledge and therapeutic care.

She works exclusively online. Contact us here: https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/
Read full article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qpp1g5ylvo

15/02/2026

Not sure if your child needs support? Here’s how to know and what happens next.
There are times when parental support alone is not enough, and reaching out for help is a thoughtful and caring decision. Ongoing anxiety, persistent behavioural changes, school-related distress or a sense that something is not quite right can all be signs that extra support may be needed.

At Future-Edge Therapy, our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme is structured, supportive and focused on real change. Parents are actively involved, progress is clear and meaningful, and the work is practical rather than clinical or overwhelming. Tracey, our specialist child and family therapist, works closely with families to support both emotional safety and long-term resilience.

If you are considering support, the first step is to get in touch. You can contact us via our website here:
At Future-Edge Therapy, our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme is structured, supportive, and focused on real change. Parents are actively involved, progress is clear and meaningful, and the work is practical rather than clinical or overwhelming. Tracey, our specialist child and family therapist, works closely with families to support both emotional safety and long-term resilience.
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

14/02/2026

Why what happens after arguments matters more than the conflict itself.

Every family experiences moments of tension, disagreement and emotional overwhelm. What makes the biggest difference to a child’s long-term wellbeing is not avoiding these moments, but how adults respond afterwards.

Repair involves acknowledging when something felt hard, taking responsibility where needed, and reassuring the child that the relationship is secure. These moments help children understand that conflict does not equal rejection and that connection can be restored.

When repair happens consistently, children develop a strong sense of safety and belonging at home. This sense of security supports emotional regulation, confidence and resilience as they grow.

Our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme at Future-Edge Therapy focuses on strengthening connection and communication within families. Led by Tracey, this work helps home become a reliable safe base rather than another place a child feels they must cope alone.
If you would like support with this, you can contact us here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

14/02/2026

Helping your child cope with friendship stress at school.

Friendship difficulties can be deeply upsetting for children and often affect how safe and accepted they feel at school. Being left out or rejected can quickly turn into self-doubt, worry and withdrawal if not handled with care.

When your child talks about friendship problems, connection should come before solutions. Feeling heard and understood helps them regulate emotionally and makes it easier for them to think clearly about what to do next. Moving too quickly into fixing or reacting strongly can unintentionally increase their distress.

Once your child feels supported, offering choice can be very empowering. Asking whether they want you to listen, practise what to say, or help make a plan gives them a sense of control and confidence.

Through our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme, Tracey supports children to build emotional resilience and social confidence, while also guiding parents in how to respond in ways that strengthen security rather than pressure.
If friendships or school are becoming a source of stress, you can contact us here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

13/02/2026

What actually helps when your child feels overwhelmed and anxious.

When anxiety or big emotions take over, children need simple, repeatable strategies that work in real life. In those moments, complex explanations or multiple steps can feel overwhelming rather than helpful.

A calm and effective approach involves helping the child name what they are feeling, supporting the body to settle through grounding or slow breathing, and then focusing on one small next step. This sequence helps the nervous system feel safer and prevents emotions from spiralling further.

These tools are especially helpful during everyday pressure points such as busy mornings, after-school meltdowns, bedtime worries or friendship stress. They are not about removing emotions, but about helping children feel safe enough to move through them.

In our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme, Tracey teaches children and parents practical regulation tools that can be used consistently at home and school, supporting emotional stability over time.
If your child needs extra support, you can contact us here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

12/02/2026

Why telling your child to calm down often makes things worse

When a child is overwhelmed, their brain is focused on survival rather than reasoning. In these moments, logic, instructions or quick fixes are difficult to take in, which is why telling a child to calm down or asking lots of questions often escalates the situation instead of settling it.

What helps first is co-regulation. This means a child borrowing calm from a trusted adult before they are able to regulate themselves. The most effective approach is to acknowledge how the child is feeling, support their body to settle, and only then move towards problem-solving once their nervous system has calmed.

This process teaches children that emotions are manageable and that they do not have to face them alone. Over time, these experiences shape how children learn to soothe themselves and respond to stress.

Within our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme, Tracey works with parents and children together, helping parents understand how their responses directly support emotional regulation and long-term resilience.
If you would like support with this, you can contact us here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

12/02/2026

Menopause can intensify unresolved trauma by placing extra pressure on the brain areas responsible for emotional regulation, attention, and memory. When trauma impact is high, coping strategies and lifestyle changes alone often aren’t enough, because the brain is still operating in survival mode.

This is why trauma recovery work needs to be structured and neurologically informed, focusing on how the brain functions now, not endlessly revisiting the past. Done properly, this protects long-term emotional, cognitive, and neurological health rather than simply helping someone cope.

11/02/2026

The hidden signs your child is struggling, even when they say ‘I’m fine’.

Struggles do not always show up as big emotions or challenging behaviour. Some children manage their stress by staying quiet, compliant and high functioning, especially during the school day, only to unravel later or not at all.

Signs that something deeper may be going on include irritability after school, frequent headaches or stomach aches, perfectionism, avoidance of school or certain situations, emotional shutdown, increased clinginess, sleep difficulties or intense overthinking about friendships. These responses are often misunderstood, but they are usually signs of a nervous system under pressure.

When a child masks their distress, they are not being dishonest. They are doing their best to stay safe, avoid conflict, and meet expectations. Over time, however, this effort becomes exhausting and can affect their emotional well-being if it is not properly supported.

Our Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme at Future-Edge Therapy is designed to look beneath behaviour and understand what the nervous system is trying to manage. Led by Tracey, our specialist child and family therapist, the programme supports both the child and the parents with a clear, practical plan.

If this sounds familiar, you can contact us here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

10/02/2026

Why your child’s sense of belonging shapes their mental health.

A child can appear to be coping well on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside. They go to school, follow the rules, take part in activities and tell adults they are fine, yet something does not feel settled beneath the surface. When a child does not feel emotionally safe or truly seen, it often shows up in subtle but important ways.

You may notice your child coming home drained or withdrawn, trying extremely hard to get things right, holding themselves together all day and then releasing everything at home, or insisting they are fine while their behaviour tells a different story. These are not attention-seeking behaviours or personality traits. They are signals that a child does not yet feel secure enough to fully be themselves.

Belonging is not about fitting in or performing well. It is about feeling safe, accepted and connected. Children need that sense of “this is my place” at home, at school and in their relationships. When that sense of belonging is missing or fragile, emotional and mental health difficulties often follow.

At Future-Edge Therapy, our dedicated Child and Family Trauma Therapy Programme supports children to build a real felt sense of safety and belonging, rather than simply coping or pushing through. This work is led by our specialist child and family therapist, Tracey, who works closely with both children and parents to create lasting change.

If you are concerned about your child, you can contact us via our website here:
https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/contact/

Address

Bedford
MK417PH

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 7pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+447970011235

Website

https://www.future-edgetherapy.co.uk/

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