Trauma/PTSD Psychologist

Trauma & PTSD

Triggered by a single event or an ongoing pattern of events over time, trauma is an emotional response to powerful and highly stressful, upsetting, or frightening events that we find out of our control or difficult to cope with. Most such events are life-threatening in the moment, or otherwise pose a significant risk to physical or psychological welfare and can result in psychological harm. 

Most people will experience at least one event in life that could be considered traumatic, but not everyone will be affected by clinical trauma. After an initially strong emotional or physical reaction to a traumatic event, some people recover well with the support of their family and friends. Other individuals, however, can experience long-term issues that affect their ability to function in a normal way. 

Psychological Trauma can be triggered by:

• Acts of violence (war, terrorism, armed robbery)

• Natural disasters (bushfires, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis)

• Traumatic loss of a loved one (e.g. suddenly, in an accident)

• Experiencing a life-threatening illness/injury (e.g. cancer diagnosis)

• Involvement in/witnessing a serious accident 

• Interpersonal trauma (e.g. physical, sexual, or emotional abuse) 

Some events that appear to have limited psychological impact on one person may elicit extreme distress in another, and even seemingly less significant events can trigger a trauma response in some individuals. Trauma occurring early in life can have deep impacts on emotional well-being, social functioning, and relationships later in life, and one may be less resilient in the face of stress as a result. More recent traumatic events can increase the risk of developing trauma-related stress, anxiety, or PTSD. These events may include a personal tragedy, accident, violence, natural disaster, or military combat.

Symptoms of Trauma:

1. Physical: 

• Fatigue/exhaustion

• Sleep disturbances/nightmares

• General aches and pains

• Easily startled/”jumpy”

• Excessive alertness

2. Emotional:

• Fear

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Irritability/anger

• Guilt 

• Numbness/detachment

• Feelings of “unreality”

• Panic 

3. Cognitive:

• “Flashbacks”

• Poor concentration

• Memory issues

• Nightmares

• Disorientation/confusion

4. Behavioural:

• Social withdrawal

• Isolation

• Avoidance of situations or places 

• Loss of interest in normal activities

• Relationship issues

• Increased use of alcohol/drugs

All of these are normal responses to trauma and are part of the natural healing and adjustment process. If they don’t settle relatively quickly, however, they can develop into more challenging conditions including anxiety/panic disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or substance abuse issues.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD describes a set of symptoms that may emerge weeks, months, or even years after exposure to a traumatic event, especially one involving death (actual or threatened), sexual violence, or serious injury. This may include directly experiencing a traumatic event, witnessing somebody else experience trauma, learning that a close friend or family member has experienced trauma, or having extreme or repeated exposure to the aftermath of trauma (e.g. police/paramedic/fire first responders).

Our Trauma Psychologist Can Help

Reach Psychology Clinical and Telehealth Services is an experienced, clinically trained trauma psychologist. Our caring practitioners individually tailor evidence-based therapies for our client’s unique circumstances and needs to effectively reduce the symptoms of trauma and PTSD for sustained recovery.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: aims to reduce involuntary re-living of the trauma and alleviate the stressful physical and psychological outcomes of this. The therapy works by addressing, understanding, and adjusting unhelpful thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours associated with the traumatic experience.

Somatic Therapy: this treatment focuses on the body’s response to trauma, recognising that the experience can be stored not just in the mind but the body as well. It utilises breathwork, body awareness, mind-body connection, and movement to help release stored tension and better regulate the nervous system for healing.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): targeting complex trauma and PTSD, IFS therapy is a newer treatment approach that gently works with the various parts of the personality to achieve an integrated way to address trauma that doesn’t solely focus on the trauma itself. The aspects of the Self that hold onto the trauma are enabled to feel safe, supported, and heard so they can release the burden for a better relationship with the Self as a whole.

Don’t let your past experiences define your future. Take control by contacting Reach Psychology Clinical and Telehealth Services in Bayside/Brighton/Hampton now.