Counselling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

Post-traumatic stress can develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing or overwhelming event. While many people recover over time, some continue to experience ongoing effects that can impact daily life, relationships and a sense of safety. These experiences may also occur alongside broader trauma therapy needs, particularly where exposure has been repeated or prolonged.

​

At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors provide trauma-informed, evidence-based counselling for post-traumatic stress for children, adolescents and adults across the Sutherland Shire. Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments across Australia.

 

Common experiences of post-traumatic stress

​

Post-traumatic stress may present as:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks

• Nightmares or disrupted sleep

• Feeling on edge or constantly alert

• Avoidance of reminders of the event

• Emotional numbness or disconnection

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability or emotional reactivity

• Strong physical responses to triggers

​​

These experiences can vary over time and may feel unpredictable or difficult to manage.

​

Understanding post-traumatic stress

​

Post-traumatic stress reflects the way the nervous system responds to overwhelming experiences.

​

Even when the event has passed, the body and mind may continue to respond as though there is ongoing threat. This can affect how someone feels, thinks and relates to others.

 

For some people, these responses are linked to a single event. For others, they may occur alongside earlier or repeated experiences, including developmental trauma or exposure to domestic and family violence.

​

When to consider counselling

 

You may wish to consider counselling if you are:

• Experiencing ongoing distress related to a past event

• Avoiding situations, places or reminders

• Feeling constantly on edge or unsafe

• Struggling with sleep or intrusive memories

• Noticing changes in mood, relationships or daily functioning

​​​

PTSD counselling in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

​​

Our psychologists and counsellors have experience in trauma-informed approaches, including postgraduate training in developmental trauma.

​

Counselling focuses on understanding how experiences continue to affect the body, emotions and patterns of thinking and behaviour. Sessions are paced according to each person’s readiness and aim to reduce the intensity of responses while building a greater sense of safety and control over time.

​

Where trauma has occurred in early relationships, approaches such as reparative parenting may be incorporated to support attachment, emotional safety and connection within the caregiver relationship.

 

Approaches may include evidence based therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), play-based and attachment-informed approaches, mindfulness-based strategies, EMDR and body-based regulation where appropriate.

​​

​​​​​​Getting started

​

​​Appointments are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments across Australia.

​

If you’re unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or click the button below to request an appointment.