Childhood Trauma Therapy for Adults
At Adelaide Clinical Psychology, our caring team provides evidence-based childhood trauma therapy for adults in a supportive setting. We take the time to understand your experiences, discuss what you would like to achieve from therapy, and develop an approach that suits your needs and goals.
For many people, childhood trauma continues to affect daily life well into adulthood, shaping the way they think, feel, and relate to others. Childhood trauma therapy offers a structured, supportive approach to understanding those effects and working through them with the guidance of a registered psychologist.
​​​Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can have a wide range of causes, and people can respond to these difficult experiences in different ways. Some reactions may occur soon after a traumatic event, while others may become noticeable much later. Not everyone exposed to traumatic events develops ongoing psychological difficulties, and trauma does not affect everyone in the same way.
For some adults, childhood trauma may affect their relationships, emotional wellbeing, sense of safety, or responses to situations that remind them of past experiences. Others may notice patterns in their thoughts, feelings, or behaviour that have become difficult to change on their own.
Common Challenges Following Childhood Trauma
Adults who have experienced childhood trauma may notice a range of difficulties. These can vary in how they present and how much they affect everyday life. Some common challenges that adults may face following childhood trauma include:
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Emotional difficulties: Persistent feelings of sadness, shame, guilt, or fear, sometimes accompanied by mood swings or intense emotional reactions that feel difficult to manage.
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Behavioural difficulties: Avoidance of certain people, places, or experiences. Some individuals may avoid situations that remind them of the distressing experience as a way of coping with difficult emotions.
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Relationship difficulties: Traumatic experiences can affect how a person sees themself and others. This may make trust, setting boundaries, or maintaining relationships more difficult.
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Learning and concentration difficulties: Trauma can be associated with impaired concentration or memory lapses, making it harder to stay focused or feel fully present in everyday activities.
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Physical or stress-related difficulties: Physical responses can include fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, muscle tension, or other stress symptoms.
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Difficulties with everyday functioning: Managing work, maintaining routines, or engaging in activities that once felt enjoyable may become more difficult when trauma is affecting emotional wellbeing and daily functioning.
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If these difficulties are affecting you, talking to a registered psychologist can help you understand what may be happening and what support may be appropriate.
How Childhood Trauma Therapy For Adults May Help
Childhood trauma therapy is a structured process aimed at helping you understand how past experiences may be influencing your current thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and relationships.
Through therapy, you may work towards:
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Understanding how past experiences continue to affect you
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Developing healthier ways of coping with difficult emotions
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Building strategies to manage distress and difficult triggers
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Improving your relationships and interpersonal skills
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Reducing the emotional distress associated with traumatic experiences
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Progress will look different from person to person. Your psychologist will continue to work with you as your needs and goals become clearer.
Evidence-Based Modalities Used in Childhood Trauma Therapy
At Adelaide Clinical Psychology, our team of registered and clinical psychologists uses contemporary, evidence-based approaches to help those experiencing the effects of trauma. We tailor the therapy to the difficulties you are experiencing and work with you towards your goals.
Modalities used in trauma therapy at Adelaide Clinical Psychology include:
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT explores the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour. CBT is a goal-oriented therapy based on strong evidence across a range of psychological concerns. In trauma therapy, trauma-focused CBT can help challenge negative beliefs that may have developed following traumatic experiences.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a mindfulness-based approach that focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to eliminate them. It also helps people identify what matters to them and take action in ways consistent with their personal values.
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Schema Therapy
Schema therapy addresses long-standing thought patterns that can develop when emotional needs are not met during childhood. These schemas can continue throughout life and influence how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and relates to others. Schema therapy integrates elements of CBT, psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and emotion-focused therapy to address these patterns.
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT supports people in developing skills for mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. It is a modified form of CBT and can be used to help individuals who experience intense emotions and trauma-related difficulties.
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that helps people process traumatic or distressing memories. It uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, while the individual focuses on difficult memories.
Why Choose Us?
At Adelaide Clinical Psychology, our team of registered psychologists brings clinical expertise to every appointment. We understand that taking the first step can feel difficult, so we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment throughout the therapy process.
What sets us apart:
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A warm, kind, and respectful approach
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Experienced in working with trauma and a range of psychological concerns
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Commitment to evidence-based, contemporary treatment approaches
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Individualised therapy tailored to your needs and goals
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A collaborative approach that values your experiences and perspectives
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A focus on building practical skills and strategies
Take the Next Step
Starting therapy can feel daunting, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Our team is here to provide the support and guidance you need throughout your journey. If you are considering childhood trauma therapy, we encourage you to reach out. We can help connect you with a psychologist who suits your individual needs.