-Intrusive memories or reminders
-Avoidance of trauma-related cues
-Ongoing alertness or hypervigilance
-Changes in mood, beliefs, or emotional regulation
-PTSD can develop after a single event or repeated exposure over time
Complex or developmental trauma: Some people have experienced trauma over longer periods. This can affect how emotions are regulated, how relationships feel, and how safe the world seems.
Trauma can affect people in different ways and doesn’t always involve obvious or dramatic symptoms. I work with children, teens and adults experiencing ongoing difficulties related to trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma responses that interfere with daily life.
Many people live with the effects of trauma for years without identifying it as such, often assuming their reactions are just part of their personality or coping style. Therapy can help reduce the impact trauma has on your thoughts, emotions, and day-to-day functioning.
What trauma often looks like
Trauma isn’t only about memories of past events — it often shows up in how your body and mind respond in the present.
Common experiences include:
- Feeling constantly on edge or unable to relax
- Strong emotional reactions that feel hard to control
- Avoiding situations, places, or conversations that feel unsafe
- Sleep disturbance or intrusive thoughts
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
- Irritability, anger, or difficulty regulating emotions
Your experiences don’t need to meet a specific threshold or label to be valid.
How therapy can help with traumatic experiences
Therapy may involve:
-Understanding how trauma responses are maintained
-Developing strategies to manage emotional and physical reactions
-Gradually reducing avoidance in a controlled, safe way
-Increasing your sense of choice, control, and stability
The goal is not to erase the past, but to help it hold less power over the present.
My Approach
Client centred: We focus on what matters most to you
Practical and Grounded: focused on day-to-day coping, without over analysing
Collaborative: You are not pushed faster than you are ready to go
Evidence Based: Uses principles of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Trauma (TF-CBT) in a flexible, supportive way
Is therapy right for you?
You might consider support if:
- Trauma-related reactions are interfering with your life
- You feel stuck in patterns of avoidance or emotional overwhelm
- Your responses feel out of proportion to current situations
- You’re managing more than you want to on your own
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek support.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & adults
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is PTSD, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If you or someone you care about has been affected by trauma and you’d like support, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss whether therapy might be a good fit.
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
A psychologist provides a structured space to talk through thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulty. Sessions focus on understanding what's going on, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing practical strategies to manage challenges more effectively
In Australia, psychologists (and other health professionals) are not allowed to use client testimonials. This rule is to protect clients' privacy and to avoid creating unrealistic expectations about outcomes.
Instead of reviews, it can be more useful to focus on the connection with your therapist. The first session is an opportunity to get a sense of how we work together and whether the approach feels right to you.
No. Many people start therapy without a clear explanation of what's wrong. Part of the process of therapy is working together to clarify concerns and priorities over the first few sessions.
The first session usually focuses on understanding your background, current concerns, and goals. You can ask questions about the process and discuss what you would like to get out of therapy. There is no expectation to share everything all at once.
Therapy is a confidential, structured conversation guided by professional training. The focus is on patterns, strategies, and practical change rather than informal advice or reassurance.
Sessions focus on current challenges, relevant past experiences, and patterns that affect how you think, feel and respond. The content is guided by your priorities and what feels most useful to address
Therapy is collaborative. Rather than giving instructions, the aim is to help you understand your options, learn about your experience of symptoms, develop skills and strategies to try, and make informed decisions about your situation.
Sessions are purposeful and guided by agreed goals. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific strategies, while others benefit from open exploration. The approach can be adjusted over time.
No. Some people attend for a small number of focused sessions, while others choose to work together for longer. This can be reviewed regularly.
That's common. Your psychologist helps guide the conversation. You don't need to prepare or organise your thoughts beforehand.
No. Many people attend therapy to navigate stress, changes in life, or improve coping skills. Seeking support is a practical step rather than a sign of failure.
Talking about difficult topics can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Sessions are paced carefully to keep the process manageable and focused on constructive change.
Fit is important. If something is not helpful, it's discussed openly and the approach can be adjusted. You are not obligated to continue if it doesn't feel useful.
This varies depending on your goals and the issues involved. Some people notice useful shifts within a few sessions while more complex concerns can take longer. Progress is reviewed regularly.
Therapy aims to increase understanding, reduce distress and build practical coping strategies. Outcomes differ between people and depend partly on engagement with the process.
Some approaches include practising strategies between sessions. Consistent attendance and active participation tend to support better outcomes.
Many people start with weekly or fortnightly sessions and adjust frequency over time depending on their needs and availability
50 minutes (plus 10 minutes for your therapist to write notes and complete any administrative tasks).