Everyone will experience terrible events sometime in their lives. It could be the sudden death of a loved one, a major car accident, sexual abuse, a natural disaster, or another critical incident that catches us by surprise. When confronted with these types of experiences, it can be normal to have a short-term reaction. These reactions are often bad at the beginning and peak at around three weeks before a person gradually starts to feel normal again over the next few months. If that is the case, you are human. The human spirit is quite robust, and people can often learn to cope with these experiences. Unfortunately, for about a third of the population, especially when the event was sudden, overwhelming, and uncontrollable, the emotions do not gradually subside and may even worsen with time.
Trauma occurs when deeply distressing or disturbing experiences overwhelm the body's emotional systems and do not allow the body to reset to ‘peaceful'. Everyone has heard of fight or flight responses - it prepares us for danger. During a trauma response, these responses get stuck in the “on” mode. It can lead to lasting impacts on a person's mental, emotional, and sometimes physical well-being. Trauma can lead to a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, nightmares, and memory problems. This short video may help you understand more about trauma.
Trauma is a difficult condition because the symptoms and responses can vary. Trauma psychologists are necessary because they can help identify these symptoms and help you deal with trauma healthily. While symptoms of trauma can vary widely, they typically fall into two categories, arousal symptoms and avoidance symptoms.
At Mindstate Psychology, we understand that trauma can be difficult to understand, process and overcome. A trauma psychologist specialises in helping patients deal with instances of trauma in their life, whether it occurred recently or many years ago. When you need a trauma psychologist in Perth, the highly experienced team at Mindstate Psychology offers a caring, understanding and supportive service to help you find your well-being.
If you’re looking for trauma counselling in Perth, it’s important to work with psychologists specialising in trauma to ensure you get the best treatment. Mindstate Psychology is fully endorsed and accredited by a range of professional organisations, including the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA), Australian Psychological Society (APS) and EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA). We offer a range of psychological treatments and always put your emotional health and well-being at the centre of everything we do.
We understand that seeing a psychologist for trauma therapy in Perth is a significant step. However, we are committed to ensuring you feel safe and supported during the therapeutic process.
At Mindstate Psychology, we proudly serve as an Employee Assistance Provider for St John WA and the Department of Defence, and regularly see frontline members of WA Police. Many of our practitioners bring firsthand experience as emergency service volunteers or defense force personnel, giving us a deep and personal understanding of the unique challenges and trauma faced by first responders. This lived perspective informs our compassionate and expert approach to supporting those who dedicate themselves to serving others.
Psychologists play a crucial role in helping people who have experienced trauma. They use various therapeutic approaches to help individuals process and overcome traumatic events. Trauma reactions occur differently for everybody. The way that you deal with trauma may be completely different to other people. We structure our therapy and interventions around your symptoms, experiences and progress.
We also know that avoiding trauma can have significant, long-term effects. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. While talking about past trauma may be confronting for some people, it's an important step in your recovery. With expert help from our trauma psychologists, you can learn to process your experiences and deal with them in a safer and healthier way.
Trauma comes in many forms, and that’s why you need a psychologist specialising in trauma counselling. Some common types of trauma include:
While this list isn't exhaustive, it does demonstrate that trauma can stem from many different situations and experiences. Mindstate Psychology offers tailored trauma therapy in Perth. By booking an appointment with our experienced trauma psychologists, we can develop a therapy framework specific to you.
We understand that seeing a psychologist for the first time may be daunting. We've created a safe space where you can uncover, process and learn coping strategies for dealing with trauma. You don't need to tell us everything in your first consultation because this session is more about developing a relationship with your practitioner.
If you feel comfortable after your initial consultation, we'll schedule you for regular appointments as required. Our psychologists will advise you on the optimal appointment frequency specific to you. These may change as your treatment progresses.
It is important to recognise that recovering from trauma might be a long process, depending on your situation. Trauma therapy is focused on helping you learn to deal with your trauma safely whilst living a full, rewarding life.
At our Mindstate Psychology, we understand that trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on your life. Whether you've experienced a single traumatic event or endured ongoing challenges, our compassionate team is here to support you on your healing journey. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments depending on your psychological needs. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore your experiences, build resilience, and reclaim a sense of peace and well-being.
EMDR is a specialized therapy designed specifically to treat trauma. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the individual recalls distressing memories. This process is believed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and allowing individuals to heal from past trauma.
EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organisation and the Australian Psychological Society as a first-choice treatment for PTSD and trauma.
Trauma-Focused CBT is a specific adaptation of CBT designed to address the unique needs of children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It combines elements of traditional CBT with trauma-sensitive interventions, helping young people process their experiences, manage distressing emotions, and develop healthier thought patterns. TF-CBT also involves caregivers to ensure a supportive environment for recovery.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy is a type of CBT that focuses on gradually confronting trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations that have been avoided. By repeatedly exposing the individual to these distressing elements in a controlled environment, PE aims to reduce the power they hold, decreasing fear and avoidance behaviors. This therapy is particularly effective for treating PTSD.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates cognitive and somatic (body-focused) approaches to treat trauma. It is based on the understanding that trauma is stored in the body as well as the mind. This therapy helps individuals become more aware of their bodily sensations and responses related to trauma, allowing them to process and release the physical tension and emotions stored in their bodies.
Narrative Exposure Therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that helps individuals construct a coherent narrative of their traumatic experiences. By organising and integrating fragmented memories into a chronological story, NET allows individuals to process their trauma in a way that reduces its emotional impact. This therapy is particularly effective for those who have experienced multiple traumatic events.
For some individuals, medication such as antidepressants can be useful alongside trauma-focused psychological approaches.
Our team of experienced psychologists work closely with psychiatrists to ensure an effective and complementary approach to treating trauma and improving everyday life.
Many of Mindstate Psychology’s practitioners have extensive experience in helping individuals through their trauma. If you would like to see one of our psychologists for help with trauma, you can find out how to get started with therapy.
Trauma, also known as single-event trauma, typically stems from a single, time-limited incident such as a car accident, natural disaster, physical assault or other traumatic experience. It can lead to symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, and nightmares.
In contrast, complex trauma arises from repeated or prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often of an interpersonal nature, such as ongoing or childhood abuse, neglect or sexual abuse. This type of trauma has a more pervasive impact, affecting emotional regulation, self-identity, and relationships, and may require more comprehensive, long-term therapeutic interventions.
Complex trauma is often associated with complex PTSD (C-PTSD), which includes additional challenges like emotional dysregulation, feelings of shame, and difficulties in relationships.
Attachments are the bonds that develop between a child and their primary caregivers, which are crucial for healthy emotional and social development. Attachment trauma refers to emotional and psychological distress that arises from disruptions or difficulties in forming secure attachments during early childhood. When attachment bonds are consistently inadequate, broken, or marked by neglect, abuse, or inconsistency, attachment trauma can occur.
Children who experience attachment trauma may struggle to develop trust in others, have difficulties in forming healthy relationships, and often carry feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and abandonment into adulthood.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
People with PTSD often relive the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. They may also experience symptoms such as severe anxiety, hypervigilance (feeling constantly on edge), and emotional numbness. Avoidance of situations, places, or even thoughts that remind them of the trauma is also common.
PTSD can significantly impact daily life, affecting an individual's ability to function at work, maintain relationships, or engage in regular activities. The severity and duration of symptoms can vary, and treatment typically involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both to help individuals manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Regular therapy and trauma therapy both aim to support mental health, but they differ in focus and approach. Regular therapy addresses a wide range of concerns, with a primary goal of improving overall mental health and equipping individuals with tools to navigate everyday challenges. In contrast, trauma therapy specifically focuses on helping individuals process and recover from the effects of traumatic experiences.
Trauma therapy uses evidence-based methods tailored to address trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), or somatic therapies. These approaches are designed to safely process traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and promote healing. Trauma therapy also emphasizes an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain, body, and emotions, helping clients manage symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness. Trauma therapy prioritizes creating a safe and supportive environment, often incorporating grounding techniques and building resilience before addressing traumatic experiences directly.
While regular therapy may touch on past experiences, it does not typically require the same specialized approaches. If you’ve experienced trauma, working with a therapist or clinical psychologist trained in trauma-informed practices can make a significant difference.
It is hard to predict how long trauma therapy might take as everyone is different. The length of treatment will depend on the complexity of your trauma, your current coping mechanisms and personal situation. At Mindstate Psychology, we are committed to fully support your healing journey.
The best type of therapy for trauma depends on the individual, their specific experiences, and their goals for recovery. Several evidence-based approaches have been shown to effectively address the impact of trauma. One highly recommended method is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR helps individuals process and reframe distressing memories by using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This approach reduces the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, enabling individuals to integrate these experiences more adaptively.
Other effective therapies for trauma include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Trauma-Focused CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to trauma. Somatic therapies, such as Somatic Experiencing, address the physical sensations and stress stored in the body, helping clients release tension and emotional pain to restore a sense of calm. Narrative therapy can also be beneficial by empowering individuals to reshape their personal story and find meaning in their experiences. Schema therapy may also be used by some clinical psychologists.
Trauma therapy is focused on helping you deal with the past in a healthy way. The past doesn’t go away, no one can reverse what has occurred. In that sense, your experiences will still be a part of your life, even after treatment. Trauma counselling in Perth is more about processing your experiences so that you can still lead a fulfilling and happy life.
Depending on your psychological needs, your practitioner may discuss using EMDR to help with your trauma. EMDR is the endorsed by the World Health Organisation and Australian Psychological Society as a first-choice treatment for PTSD and trauma. You can discover more about EMDR here.
We acknowledge that seeing a psychologist for the first time might be scary for some. Our psychologists have extensive experience and are here to help you through the healing process. For therapy to be effective, it relies on a working therapeutic relationship between you and your trauma psychologist. Much of your first appointment is an opportunity for our psychologist to get to know you, and for you both to develop a rapport and a safe space for therapy to progress.
Mindstate Psychology is a private practice, which means the cost of trauma counselling depends on the type of service you require and the length of your session. Our rates for individual therapy sessions vary depending on the experience of the psychologist, but begin at $220 per 50 minuet session. If you are eligible for a Medicare rebate under a Mental Health Care Plan, you may receive a rebate, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. More information about fees and rebates is available on our fees page.
Trauma therapy is eligible for Medicare rebates if you have a GP mental healthcare plan. Trauma therapy may also be eligible for private health insurance rebates, although this depends on your insurance provider and the type of cover you have. Typically, psychology is part of your Extras cover, but it’s worth checking this with your provider before making an appointment. More information about fees and rebates is available on our fees page.
Yes, trauma therapy is absolutely worth it for individuals struggling with the effects of trauma. Trauma can have a profound impact on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, influencing your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and daily functioning. Left unaddressed, these effects can lead to long-term challenges, such as anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, or even physical health issues.
Trauma therapy, when conducted by an experienced clinical psychologist, offers a safe and supportive environment to process difficult experiences and develop healthier coping strategies. It uses evidence-based approaches, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), somatic therapies or schema therapy, to help you reduce the emotional distress linked to traumatic memories and regain control over your life.
Our dedicated team of experienced trauma psychologists are committed providing evidence-informed support for those struggling with both historic or recent trauma. Our comprehensive approach can include talk therapy, EMDR or neurofeedback, ultimately helping improve mental well-being and physical health.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with trauma, we’re here to help. When you visit Mindstate Psychology, you’ll meet experienced, caring professionals. While struggling with trauma can be extremely challenging, you are not alone. Contact us today and start your journey towards mental wellness.
Mindstate Psychology is a private practice and does not provide emergency mental health services.
If you're worried about harm toward yourself or others, or you are otherwise experiencing an emergency, please call 000.
