Seeking Therapy For Trauma in Adelaide?

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What Is Trauma and its Forms?

Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening event. These events can overwhelm a person's ability to cope, leaving lasting effects on their well-being, sense of safety, and relationships.

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It's important to note that trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by an individual's experience of it. What one person finds traumatic may not be consistent to everyone. It’s important to remember that all of these are relative to the individual. As well, the impact can be immediate or delayed, sometimes surfacing months or even years later.

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Trauma is often categorised in the following ways:

• Acute Trauma: Results from a single, isolated incident.

• Chronic Trauma: Occurs from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events.

• Complex Trauma: Stems from exposure to multiple and varied traumatic events, often of an interpersonal nature.

Impact of Trauma on Daily Life

The effects of trauma can appear in many forms. Common responses to trauma include:

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• Emotional responses:

  • Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, or numbness.

  • Mood swings and unpredictable emotions like tearfulness or irritability.
     

• Physical responses:

  • Fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems.

  • Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or frequent nightmares.

  • Muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, or other symptoms of stress.
     

• Cognitive responses:

  • Impaired concentration and memory lapses.

  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or recurring mental images of the event.
     

• Behavioural responses:

  • Withdrawal from social connections.

  • Avoidance of trauma reminders.

  • Riskier behaviours as coping mechanisms.
     

• Common feelings:

  • Shame, guilt, or self-blame make it difficult to move forward.
     

These responses are normal reactions to unusual events. With the support of our caring team, it is possible to work through these challenges and regain a sense of peace and wholeness.

Trauma vs PTSD

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are often associated, but are distinctly different experiences. Trauma refers to an emotional or psychological response to a distressing or life-threatening event.

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It is a broad term that includes immediate and lasting reactions a person may experience, including shock, fear, sadness, or anxiety. While many people encounter traumatic events during their lives, not everyone develops PTSD.

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PTSD, on the other hand, is a clinically diagnosable condition that develops in some individuals after exposure to trauma. It is characterised by persistent and recurring symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation.

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To learn more about PTSD, visit our PTSD Therapy page.

Evidence-Based Modalities For Trauma

We work with you to develop a personalised therapy plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. Our psychologists are trained in a range of evidence-based modalities proven to be effective for treating trauma. From the moment you step into our practice, you can feel confident knowing you’re in experienced hands.

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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the emotional distress of traumatic memories. It works on the principle that the mind can recover from psychological trauma much like the body recovers from physical injury.

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By using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements), EMDR helps the brain's natural information processing system unblock and reprocess "stuck" memories. This allows you to remember the event without re-experiencing the intense emotional and physical charge associated with it.

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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a goal-oriented therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. Trauma-focused CBT helps you challenge negative beliefs that may have formed as a result of your experience. By learning to reframe these thoughts, you can reduce feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a mindfulness-based therapy that helps you develop psychological flexibility. Instead of trying to eliminate distressing thoughts and feelings, trauma-focused ACT teaches you to accept them without judgment while committing to actions that align with your personal values.

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This approach can be particularly helpful for trauma, as it provides skills to manage painful memories and emotions while focusing on building a rich and meaningful life.

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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a modified form of CBT that is effective for individuals who experience intense emotions as a result of trauma. Trauma-focused DBT teaches practical skills in four key areas: mindfulness (living in the moment), distress tolerance (coping with painful emotions), emotion regulation (managing and changing intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (improving relationships).

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Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is an integrative approach that is particularly useful for addressing chronic or complex trauma. It helps identify and change long-standing patterns of behaviour, or "schemas."

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By understanding the origins of these patterns, you can work toward develop healthier ways of meeting your emotional needs.

What to Expect from Therapy For Trauma at Adelaide Clinical Psychology

Our psychologist will work with you to gain an understanding of your experiences and how they have impacted you. This may involve exploring traumatic events in your past or recent life stressors that have triggered difficult emotions.

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Initial Session

During your initial sessions, we'll work together to understand your experiences, identify your strengths, and develop a treatment plan that feels right for you. Here we will also discuss the goals you have for therapy and any concerns or fears you may have about the process.

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Building a Safe Environment

Creating a safe and comfortable environment is essential for the success of therapy for trauma. We work together to establish trust and open communication. Our psychologist aim to make therapy feel supportive and try to make it easy to open up about sensitive topics throughout the sessions.

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Processing Experiences

Once you feel prepared, we'll gently guide you through processing these traumatic memories and experiences. It can be difficult navigating this experience as it’s extremely important to avoid retriggering but we aim to work through the trauma in a healthy and effective way. This phase is conducted at your pace, with constant attention to your comfort and prioritising your safety.

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Moving Forward

As therapy progresses we shift the focus towards integrating your experiences and building a stronger sense of self. Together, we’ll explore ways to rebuild your sense of identity, strengthen your relationships, and set goals that align with your values. This stage is about maintaining the resilience we’ve built and giving you the confidence and emotional tools to move forward.

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