Clinical Psychology in Surry Hills, Sydney
Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Sydney
Trauma changes the way your mind and body respond to the world. Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of a single event, ongoing experiences from childhood, or something more recent, trauma-focused therapy can help your nervous system settle and your life feel like yours again.
You may recognise some of these
Common ways trauma & ptsd shows up. You don't need to tick every box for therapy to help.
- Flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares
- Feeling on edge, hyper-alert, or easily startled
- Avoiding places, people, or topics that remind you of it
- Numbness, dissociation, or feeling cut off from yourself
- Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe
- Strong reactions that seem out of proportion
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Shame, guilt, or self-blame about what happened
Evidence-based approaches we use
Therapy tailored to your situation — drawing on what the research says works, and what fits you.
Evidence-based
Trauma-Focused CBT
An evidence-based approach that helps you process the traumatic memory and rework the beliefs and patterns it left behind — in a careful, paced way.
Evidence-based
Schema Therapy
Particularly helpful for complex or developmental trauma, where early experiences have shaped enduring patterns in relationships, self-worth, and emotion.
Evidence-based
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Builds skills for being with difficult internal experiences without being overwhelmed, while reconnecting you with the life you want to live.
Evidence-based
Nervous system regulation
Practical, body-based strategies for grounding, settling hyperarousal, and rebuilding a sense of safety in your body.
What working together looks like
A clear, paced approach — no jargon, no rigid template.
- 1
Stabilisation
We don't rush into the trauma itself. The first phase is about building safety, regulation skills, and a strong working relationship — so the rest of the work is sustainable.
- 2
Processing
When you're ready, we approach the traumatic material in a structured, paced way. You stay in control of what we cover, and when.
- 3
Integration
We work on rebuilding — meaning, relationships, sense of self — so that what happened becomes something in your past rather than something running your present.
Practical details
Medicare rebates, telehealth, and Surry Hills sessions
With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. We offer both in-person sessions at our Surry Hills rooms (Level 1/17 Randle St) and secure telehealth across NSW — many clients move between the two depending on the week.
Trauma & PTSD — frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
Not unless and until you're ready. Effective trauma therapy doesn't require you to recount every detail. We work in phases, and the early phase is entirely about building safety and regulation. You stay in control of pacing throughout.
It depends on the type of trauma. Single-incident PTSD often responds to 8–16 sessions of trauma-focused CBT. Complex or developmental trauma typically requires longer-term work. We map out a realistic plan together at the start.
PTSD typically follows a single event or discrete period. Complex trauma describes the impact of prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences — often beginning in childhood. The treatment approach differs, and we'll work out which framework fits your experience.
Yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you can claim a Medicare rebate on up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. PTSD and trauma-related conditions are covered.
For many people, yes — and being in your own space can actually feel safer than coming into a clinic. For some kinds of trauma work, in-person sessions are preferable, particularly in the more intensive processing phase. We'll discuss what's right for you.
Many people who come to trauma-focused therapy have tried other approaches first. Trauma needs a specific kind of treatment, and not all therapy is trauma-informed. It's worth having a conversation about what's been tried, what didn't fit, and what might be different this time.
Related areas we work with
Many people come to therapy with more than one of these at the same time.
We're here when you take the first step
Reaching out can feel daunting, especially when things have been building for a while. Wherever you are — considering therapy for the first time, or returning after a break — we'll meet you there. Send a message when you feel ready, and we'll find a time to talk.
Prefer to call? 0422 918 631