We take a holistic approach to trauma healing, recognising that recovery involves more than just the mind. Our therapists look at the bigger picture of your wellbeing — emotional, physical, spiritual, and environmental — to support you in the most effective way possible.
Where we can offer support
Adults with childhood trauma
The experiences we have as children shape the foundation of our lives — how safe we feel, how we connect with others, and how we see ourselves. When trauma occurs in childhood, whether through abuse, neglect, family violence, illness, or other distressing events, it can disrupt that sense of safety and leave lasting impacts into adulthood.
Many adult survivors believe their trauma is “in the past,” but unresolved experiences can resurface through stress, triggers, or life changes. This can show up as anxiety, flashbacks, low self-worth, difficulties in relationships, or challenges in parenting.
Healing from childhood trauma is different for everyone, and it’s important to work with professionals trained in trauma-informed care to ensure recovery happens safely.
Child and adolescent trauma
Around two-thirds of children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. Childhood and adolescence are times when safety, nurture, and love are vital for healthy development. But when trauma occurs — whether through abuse, neglect, family violence, loss, illness, or witnessing harm — it can disrupt a child’s sense of security and affect how they grow into adulthood.
Trauma may be complex (ongoing or repeated, such as abuse or violence) or a single event (such as an accident or the death of a loved one). Children often respond with strong emotions like fear, anger, sadness, or guilt, and their behaviour may be misunderstood as being “naughty.” In reality, these are survival responses that may continue long after the trauma has ended.
Signs a child may be struggling after trauma include:
- Anger and aggression
- Anxiety or fear
- Difficulty trusting others
- Low self-esteem
- Self-destructive behaviour
- Sleep or appetite changes
- Attention or learning difficulties
Recognising these signs early and seeking professional support can make a significant difference. With the right care, children can begin to heal, build resilience, and grow into healthy, secure adults.
Domestic and family violence
Domestic and family violence is a serious health and wellbeing issue in Australia, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. While women and children are most often impacted, men can also experience violence and abuse in relationships.
Domestic violence refers to abusive behaviours between intimate partners, while family violence includes a wider range of harmful behaviours used to control or dominate another family member. Abuse is rarely a one-off incident — it often increases in frequency and severity over time.
Abuse can take many forms, including:
- Physical abuse — hitting, restraining, or causing injury
- Verbal abuse — yelling, threats, humiliation or name-calling
- Financial abuse — restricting access to money, running up debts, or controlling spending
- Social abuse — isolating you from friends, family, or support networks
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Sexual abuse — any sexual activity without your consent
It’s not always easy to recognise the signs, especially when abuse has been present for a long time and feels “normal.” If you, your children, or someone you know are experiencing family or domestic violence, support is available.
If you need immediate assistance, please call 000. For free specialist support, you can also contact The Orange Door, a service for adults, children and families experiencing violence or needing extra support.
For more information about domestic and family violence, visit here:
Emergency services & war veterans
Emergency services workers and war veterans are often exposed to highly stressful and traumatic situations — from natural disasters and serious accidents to life-threatening conflicts and war. These experiences can take a toll on mental health and wellbeing, affecting not only work but also family life and personal relationships.
The impact of trauma is different for everyone. Some may experience triggers or burnout from staying in a constant high-alert state, while others may develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including recurring memories, difficulty sleeping, problems concentrating, or feeling disconnected from loved ones.
In Australia, both career and volunteer emergency workers face these challenges. Volunteers, in particular, may experience added strain as they often know the people involved in local incidents and may have less access to training or support. Research shows emergency workers experience PTSD at more than double the rate of the general population, with veterans also at high risk due to repeated exposure to traumatic events during deployment.
We specialise in supporting those who serve and protect our communities. Our team provides safe, evidence-based care to help process trauma, rebuild resilience, and restore wellbeing.
Serious accidents
While road fatalities in Australia have decreased over time, injuries from car accidents remain high — and the impact goes far beyond the physical. After the shock of an accident, it’s common for the emotional and psychological effects to be overlooked.
You don’t need to be the driver to experience trauma — passengers, bystanders, and even emergency responders can all be affected. Many people develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, or fear of driving again. These feelings can disrupt daily life, work, relationships, and the ability to enjoy normal activities.
A serious accident can also affect the body in other ways, including racing heart, tense muscles, exhaustion, or trouble concentrating. Over time, this may contribute to anxiety or depression.
Childbirth and postpartum trauma
The birth of a child is often described as one of life’s happiest moments, but for many women and families, it can be frightening, physically and emotionally challenging, and far from what they had hoped for. Research shows that a significant number of women experience regret, dissatisfaction, or pressure into medical interventions they did not want, with 10–20% of first-time mothers sustaining long-term physical injury.
Trauma from birth can leave lasting emotional and physical effects, including anxiety, fear, flashbacks, irritability, pain, or difficulties bonding with your baby. These experiences can also contribute to postnatal depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Partners and loved ones may also experience trauma related to the birth.
Feeling heard, supported, and having a sense of control during labour, birth, and postpartum is vital for positive outcomes. Early support and processing of these experiences can help restore confidence and wellbeing.
Make an appointment to start your healing journey
We are committed to providing flexible, accessible care and offer appointments face-to-face at our Bendigo practice, or via Telehealth, with after-hours appointments available for individual counselling, child and adolescent counselling.
We welcome referrals for new clients, with no waitlist for appointment and accept both Mental Health Treatment Plans and private referrals.
