Counselling

"Trauma is what's happening inside of us as a result of what happened to us"

- Dr Gabor Mate

Counselling is a place where you can explore and process the impacts of trauma, grief, abuse, betrayal, shame and guilt. Counselling can help you gain clarify, explore options, refine values, develop strategies and increase self-awareness.

It can also assist in developing skills and strategies, self-acceptance, challenge negative beliefs, understand behaviour patterns, address maladaptive patterns, make meaning of emotions and life challenges. You can learn healthy life patterns, setting boundaries, develop interpersonal skills, self-care and develop a secure sense of self.

It will allow you to reframe old stories of self-loathing and mistrust to regain a sense of self and move towards writing a new and brave story of strength, resilience, courage, compassion and self-worth.

Trauma

Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to an event or a series of events that are deeply distressing or disturbing. It can overwhelm an individual's ability to cope, leaving lasting effects on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Trauma can stem from various experiences, such as accidents, natural disasters, violence, abuse, or significant life changes.

There are different types of traumas:

1. Acute trauma: This results from a single distressing event, like an accident or a natural disaster.

2. Chronic trauma: This is caused by repeated and prolonged stressors or adverse experiences, such as ongoing abuse or exposure to violence.

3. Complex trauma: It's a result of prolonged exposure to multiple traumatic events, often in interpersonal relationships, leading to significant and lasting impacts on one's mental and emotional health.

There are different levels of traumas:

Big 'T' and little 't' trauma are terms used to distinguish between different levels or types of traumatic experiences.

· Big 'T' Trauma: This refers to significant, often life-threatening events that have a profound and enduring impact on an individual. These experiences can include things like war, natural disasters, severe accidents, physical or sexual assault, or profound loss. Big 'T' traumas are events that fundamentally challenge a person's sense of safety, security, or well-being. They often result in significant psychological distress and can have long-term effects on mental health.

· Little 't' Trauma: This term refers to events that might not be as extreme or life-threatening as big 'T' traumas but are still distressing and impactful. Little 't' traumas can encompass a range of experiences such as ongoing emotional neglect, chronic stress, bullying, family dysfunction, or witnessing minor accidents. While these events might not be as immediately life-altering as big 'T' traumas, they can still have a cumulative effect on an individual's mental and emotional well-being, particularly when experienced repeatedly or over an extended period.

The effects of trauma can vary widely among individuals and can manifest in different ways, including emotional distress, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, changes in behavior, and disrupted sleep patterns. Treatment and support, often through therapy and various interventions, aim to help individuals process and cope with the effects of trauma, fostering healing and resilience.

What is EMDR ?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process distressing memories and traumatic experiences. It involves a structured eight-phase process where the therapist uses bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements, taps, or sounds) to facilitate the brain's natural healing mechanisms.

During EMDR, the therapist helps the individual identify distressing memories, negative beliefs, and physical sensations associated with past traumatic events. Bilateral stimulation is then used while focusing on these memories, allowing the brain to reprocess the traumatic information, reducing its emotional charge, and enabling the person to develop more adaptive coping mechanisms and perspectives.

EMDR is evidence-based and has been effective in treating conditions like PTSD, anxiety, phobias, depression, addiction, pain, grief, and other trauma-related issues.

EMDR has 3-pronged approach and works with past memories, present triggers and future scenarios. By addressing these three components, EMDR aims to comprehensively process and alleviate the effects of past traumatic experiences, their current triggers, and potential future stressors.

This comprehensive approach can help individuals develop more adaptive responses and reduce the impact of past trauma on their present and future lives.

Can I make a booking online?

You will need to call or email to make an appointment for counselling and check availability.
Who benefits from EMDR?

anxiety panic attacks depression phobias dissociative disorders grief and loss eating disorders pain PTSD flashbacks nightmares performance anxiety sleep disturbances substance use disorders or addiction
What therapies do you draw from on when working with clients?

Eye Movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR) Trauma-Informed Therapies Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Hypnotherapy Timeline Techniques Narrative Therapy Schema Therapy Somatic Approaches Grief and Loss Structural Dissociation Ego State Therapy Internal Family Systems Attachment Focused Therapies. Brene Brown accredited facilitator of Daring Greatly and Rising Strong workshops.
Are you looking for a consultant to finalize your EMDR basic training?

As part of your EMDR basic training program, both level 1 and level 2 need to be completed with 10 hours of consultation required to become a full member of EMDR Association of Australia. This may be included in your basic training package, or it may not. Consultation can be within a group or individually with an accredited consultant. Once all of this is accomplished, you might consider becoming an EMDRAA member. Some may believe their EMDR training is finished, I'd suggest that the journey has only just begun.
Why become an accredited EMDR consultant?

Stepping into consultancy and becoming an accredited EMDR consultant requires more evidence of work with clients, and consultees both individually and in groups along with further hours of consultation. EMDR accredited consultant highlights an established expertise in both providing EMDR and mentoring/supervising and consultation opportunities, advanced professional growth, and upholding fidelity standards all contributing to professional growth and leadership role within the EMDR therapy field.
Why become an accredited EMDR practitioner?

This journey continues to enhance your learning and growth in using EMDR with clients. You are required to gather more evidence of working with clients, further consultation and instils client trust in your ability to provide EMDR within the ethical standards of practice. Ultimately, becoming an EMDR accredited practitioner signifies your recognition of expertise and commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and ethical practice, all of which contribute to professional growth and success in the field of EMDR therapy.
Why become a member of EMDR Association of Australia?

Joining the EMDR Association of Australia offers access to a professional network, valuable resources, trainings, accreditation pathways, find a therapist registry, and ensures adherence to standards and fidelity which are vital for EMDR therapists in Australia.