• Trauma

    Compassionate counselling for trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD and the challenges they create in everyday life

Healing after Trauma

How do I know if I’m experiencing trauma?

The term trauma has sadly been diminished in recent years by the tendency to joke about being “traumatised” by a trivial setback (for example, “The store had run out of Tim Tams – I was traumatised!”). For those who have experienced genuine trauma in their lives, this can feel upsetting.

Trauma is your response to an event (or series of events) that you experience as physically and/or emotionally harmful or threatening, resulting in lasting adverse effects on your physical, social, emotional or spiritual wellbeing. It does not necessarily require first-hand experience; trauma can also arise from witnessing harm or learning that someone you love has been seriously affected.

Critically, at the moment of trauma, you are rendered helpless by an overwhelming force that your brain simply cannot process effectively. This may be a force of nature (when we refer to a disaster), or the actions of other human beings (when we refer to violence or atrocity).

The impact is beautifully summed up by psychologist and author Judith Herman:

“Traumatic events overwhelm the ordinary systems of care that give people a sense of control, connection and meaning.”*

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What symptoms should I be aware of?

There are often immediate reactions to a traumatic experience. You may experience shock and extreme distress, feelings of disconnection (either from the experience itself or within yourself), and a heightened sense of fear and vulnerability. In turn, this can contribute to a wide range of physical symptoms, including insomnia, pain and illness.

These symptoms should always be discussed with your medical professional, who can monitor your physical health and direct you towards appropriate psychological support.

It is important that you are closely supported and provided with the help you need to process and recover from the experience, reducing the risk of the trauma becoming a chronic condition.

Persistent and overwhelming emotions, intrusive memories, ongoing distress, difficulties with concentration, memory problems and disrupted sleep can all be indicators of a prolonged stress response and deserve prompt attention.

What type of trauma could I be experiencing?

Trauma can take many forms. It may result from a single accident, natural disaster, episode of physical or emotional violence, injury or serious illness.

Sadly, trauma can also arise from repeated experiences such as neglect, sustained bullying, abuse or domestic violence. When trauma begins in childhood, it can interrupt normal psychological development and even influence aspects of biological development.

You may also hear trauma discussed in terms of clinical diagnoses such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or Complex PTSD.

Is this what my trauma experience will lead to?

Everyone’s experience is different, and there are many factors involved.

The outcome depends on the nature of the trauma, how it affected you, whether you have experienced previous trauma, any existing mental health challenges, the quality of your support network, and of course your own unique personality and strengths.

Let’s pause for a moment

If you are identifying with this discussion about trauma and its effects, we are truly sorry for what happened to you and admire the courage it takes to seek understanding and support.

Whilst we do not know the details of your experience, we understand that recovering from trauma can be a challenging and complex journey. (Rob also brings the perspective of lived experience as a trauma survivor.)

Whatever your decision, please seek professional support, including guidance from your GP.

How will counselling help?

Counselling provides a safe and stabilising approach focused on emotional regulation, safety and gradual recovery.

Your counsellor becomes a partner and guide on this journey, helping you make sense of what has happened, supporting you through periods of uncertainty, and assisting you to navigate the next steps in your recovery.

We encourage a team-based approach, drawing upon the medical expertise of your GP alongside other specialists where appropriate, such as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, trauma specialist or qualified EMDR practitioner.

What’s the best approach for me?

Remarkably, the foundations of modern trauma treatment were established more than a century ago and have been progressively refined through decades of research and clinical practice to create the evidence-based approaches available today.

Our goal is for the trauma to become part of your story, rather than the central organising feature of your life.

It is a time of reconnecting with yourself and others, rebuilding relationships, and reclaiming a sense of purpose, direction and hope.

* Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and Recovery.

  • Step 1: Safety and stabilisation

    The first priority is creating safety and helping you regulate overwhelming emotions. Think of this as addressing the symptoms before tackling the underlying causes.

    Research consistently supports the importance of this phase, creating the foundation needed for the deeper work that follows.

  • Step 2: Processing the experience

    This involves carefully engaging with what happened to you in a safe and supported way.  This may include developing a coherent narrative, mourning what was lost, challenging unhelpful beliefs, finding meaning in your experience, and reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories.

    Once again, caution, pacing and safety are paramount.

  • Step 3: Reconnection and moving forward

    The final stage focuses on acceptance, rebuilding and planning your future in accordance with your values.  Our goal is for the trauma to become part of your story, rather than the central organising feature of your life.

    It is a time of reconnecting with yourself and others, rebuilding relationships, and reclaiming a sense of purpose, direction and hope.

  • Support

    Confidential, professional and supportive care

  • Locations

    Mona Vale & St Ives, Sydney
    and online across Australia

  • Contact Us

    hello@counsellingpartners.com.au


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