Evolving Minds Counselling
and Psychology
Trauma-Informed Therapy
in Sydney and the Sutherland Shire
Difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect far more than our memories. They can influence the way we respond to stress, regulate our emotions, relate to others and experience a sense of safety in everyday life. These responses are often understandable adaptations to experiences that have felt frightening, distressing or overwhelming.
At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology, our psychologists and counsellors provide trauma-informed therapy for children, adolescents and adults across Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Appointments are available in person at our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire and online across Australia.
Trauma-informed care is not a single type of therapy. It is an approach to therapy that places safety, collaboration and choice at the centre of the therapeutic process. It recognises that people's experiences are different and that therapy needs to progress at a pace that is appropriate for each person.
If you are seeking support following trauma, you can also learn more about our Trauma Counselling service and how our clinicians provide evidence-based support for children, adolescents and adults.
What are trauma-informed approaches?
Trauma-informed approaches recognise that difficult experiences can continue to influence how we respond to stress, manage emotions, relate to others and experience safety.
Rather than looking at emotional or behavioural responses in isolation, trauma-informed therapy considers what may have contributed to them. Responses that now cause difficulties may have developed as ways of coping with experiences that felt unsafe, frightening or overwhelming.
Who can benefit from trauma-informed therapy?
Trauma-informed approaches may be beneficial for people whose past experiences continue to affect their emotional wellbeing, relationships or day-to-day life. While trauma can result from a single event, it can also develop following repeated or prolonged experiences that leave a person feeling unsafe, overwhelmed or unsupported.
Trauma-informed therapy may be appropriate if you have experienced:
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childhood trauma or adverse childhood experiences
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abuse or neglect
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family or domestic violence
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bullying or workplace trauma
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grief and loss
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accidents or natural disasters
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medical trauma
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relationship trauma
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other distressing or overwhelming life experiences
Trauma-informed approaches can also support people experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, difficulties in relationships or a persistent sense of feeling unsafe, where past experiences may be contributing to these difficulties.
What does trauma-informed therapy involve?
A trauma-informed approach places safety, trust and collaboration at the centre of therapy. Your clinician will work alongside you, respecting your pace and ensuring you have choice throughout the therapeutic process.
Depending on your individual needs, therapy may include:
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developing emotional regulation skills
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building a greater sense of safety and stability
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understanding how your nervous system responds to stress
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recognising patterns that may have developed following difficult experiences
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strengthening healthy boundaries and communication
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developing practical coping strategies
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increasing self-awareness and self-compassion
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gradually processing distressing experiences when clinically appropriate and you feel ready
Rather than focusing on revisiting traumatic experiences immediately, trauma-informed therapy emphasises building safety, stability and coping strategies first. This helps create a strong foundation before exploring more difficult experiences, where appropriate.
Evidence-based therapies delivered using trauma-informed approaches
Our clinicians draw on a range of evidence-based approaches depending on each person's needs. Depending on your goals and presentation, therapy may include:
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Somatic Psychotherapy and body-based approaches
Your clinician may use one therapeutic approach or integrate several approaches throughout therapy, depending on your individual needs and preferences.
How do I find a trauma-informed psychologist near me?
If you have been searching for a trauma-informed psychologist near you, our psychologists and counsellors provide trauma-informed therapy for children, adolescents and adults across Sydney and the Sutherland Shire.
Appointments are available in person at our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire and online across Australia.
If you're unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or use the button below to request an appointment.