Trauma refers to the physical, neurological, and emotional response that occurs after a highly stressful, frightening event like an accident, natural disaster, or abuse. This event may have happened to you, or you may have witnessed it happen to someone else. Trauma can occur after a single event or as a chronic experience endured repeatedly or over a prolonged period of time. Traumatic incidents often involve a threat to life or safety, as well as a sense of being unable to take control and create safety. For individuals who have experienced such events, seeing a PTSD psychologist can be a helpful step in processing and recovering from the effects of trauma.
Sometimes, people can be exposed to complex trauma, which is when they encounter multiple traumatic events. Everyone has a different reaction to traumatic experiences, and some may benefit from seeking trauma therapy in Melbourne, particularly if they live in this region and want local support. Some individuals experience challenges directly after a traumatic event, while others may not encounter difficulties until a later stage in life. Numerous factors, including mental and physical health at the time, available support, coping skills, personality characteristics, thinking style, and past experiences, influence how one copes with trauma. For those struggling, a psychologist for PTSD can provide tailored approaches to foster resilience and healing.
Research estimates that 57-75% of Australians will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime. Exposure to trauma is more prevalent in certain populations – including those who have experienced homelessness, young people in out of home care, individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, refugees, and those in emergency services or veterans
Some people are affected by PTSD & Trauma in the short term, and these emotional and or physical reactions subside after days or weeks. However, for others, these symptoms may remain and be quite severe. Symptoms of trauma can be cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and physical in nature. Cognitive symptoms refer to experiences such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, visual memories, or flashbacks of the event. People can also experience poor concentration, memory loss or confusion. Behavioural symptoms refer to changes in behaviour and can look like avoidance, social withdrawal, and isolation. Emotional symptoms can fluctuate, though can refer to experiences of intense sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, or numbness. Physical symptoms can feel like body aches and fatigue, though can also look like being constantly heightened, alert and easily startled. Trauma is known to ‘reside’ in the body, and can lead to many and varied physical ailments.
All four of these symptom categories have the potential to largely disrupt normal functioning. If these symptoms progress, there is a potential for individuals to develop serious conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. There is also a potential for some individuals to develop an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol in attempt to escape the symptoms.
In instances where the PTSD & Trauma from an event is impacting your daily functioning, working with mental health professionals is strongly recommended. At Laburnum Psychology we have psychologists who are trained in providing trauma-focused psychological interventions. Psychological intervention for trauma involves education around the trauma response and symptoms, as well as stress management techniques to address the emotional and cognitive symptoms.
There are multiple evidence-based interventions which can be used with trauma, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, exposure-based therapies, Schema Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). Your psychologist will use an intervention best suited for your individual needs and symptoms.
If you are seeking some assistance with challenges relating to trauma, please consider making some time to speak with us.
When individuals experience immensely distressing or damaging experiences such as violence, abuse, childhood neglect, or terrifying incidents, they can be at risk of developing the psychological and physical manifestations of trauma. Trauma responses can emerge following single incidences, or stem from a prolonged and recurring experiences. These experiences may involve a threat to life or safety, or a sense of being at risk, helpless and unable to regain control. For some people, childhood can be marked by traumatic experiences, and this can leave a lasting impact on their day to day functioning. If you feel these descriptions match with some of your experiences of life, then childhood trauma counselling in Melbourne may be something that could help you. Trauma counselling enables you to explore and understand the patterns that have developed as a result of the traumatic experience. It is also an opportunity to learn and practice strategies to rewire past patterns and find a pathway to greater peace and contentment in life.
Trauma can manifest in a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, such as negative alterations in thoughts and feelings, anxiety, panic attacks, depressed mood, and an array of potential physical manifestations. Symptoms such as these have the capacity to significantly disrupt someone’s day-to-day life. If left unmanaged, a person can become at risk of developing further complications such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, or substance abuse in an effort to escape the symptoms.
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When trauma begins to impede daily functioning, it is can be very helpful to seek the assistance of mental health professionals. Laburnum Psychology opened in 2009. Over the years since its opening, the practice principals, Kylie and Tim have continued to carefully grow a team psychologists who offer a breadth of experience and characteristics needed to create a cohesive and compassionate team, who value high standards of care. Our team includes psychologists trained in trauma-focused interventions and trauma counselling courses in Melbourne. Treatment involves educating individuals about trauma responses and symptoms, as well as providing management techniques to address cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms.
Trauma counselling addresses these symptoms by helping you identify their origins and teaching you practical strategies to manage them effectively. Our skilled therapists offer evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, exposure-based therapies, and Mindfulness practices. These approaches are tailored to your specific needs. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of trauma, therapy supports your overall well-being and can help to reduce the impact of trauma-related symptoms in your daily life.
Call us on 03 9877 9179 or complete the enquiry form below. One of our staff will personally be in touch with you.
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