What Is Trauma Therapy & When Might It Help?
By Aphrodite Papageorgiou, Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Practitioner
People can use the word trauma to describe many different experiences. For some, it may relate to a single event. For others, it may involve repeated, prolonged or difficult experiences that continue to affect how they feel, respond or relate to others.
You may understand that something happened in the past while still noticing its effects in the present.
Trauma therapy is a broad term for psychological therapy that takes these experiences and their ongoing effects into account. Rather than referring to one particular treatment, it can involve different therapeutic approaches depending on the person, their experiences and what they would like to support with.
I’m Aphrodite Papageorgiou, a clinical psychologist and EMDR practitioner based at Strive Health Hub in McKinnon. I work with adults and have a particular interest in trauma, PTSD and the ways past experiences can continue to influence present-day wellbeing.
Understanding what trauma therapy can involve may make seeking support feel a little less unfamiliar.
What is psychological trauma?
Trauma can occur when an experience is overwhelming, frightening, distressing or difficult to process.
This might involve a single incident, such as an accident, assault or other threatening event. It can also develop in the context of repeated or prolonged experiences, difficult relationships, abuse, neglect or environments where someone did not feel safe.
People do not all respond to difficult experiences in the same way.
For some people, distress gradually settles over time. Others may continue experiencing emotional, physical or behavioural responses that affect everyday life.
These responses can sometimes include:
intrusive memories or unwanted reminders
nightmares or disrupted sleep
anxiety or feeling constantly alert
avoiding particular places, situations or conversations
strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders
feeling disconnected, numb or emotionally overwhelmed
difficulties with trust or relationships
changes in confidence or beliefs about yourself
feeling that something from the past is continuing to affect the present
Experiencing a difficult event does not automatically mean someone will develop PTSD or require psychological treatment. However, support may be worth considering when distress is persistent, difficult to manage or beginning to interfere with everyday life.
What does trauma therapy involve?
Trauma therapy does not refer to one particular technique.
It involves psychological treatment that considers how difficult or overwhelming experiences may be connected with the concerns someone is experiencing now.
The process will vary depending on the individual.
Therapy may involve developing a better understanding of your responses, identifying triggers or patterns, learning strategies for managing distress and exploring thoughts, emotions or beliefs connected with what you have experienced.
Depending on your needs, therapy may also involve working more directly with distressing memories or experiences.
For some people, this process may also involve what is sometimes described as post-traumatic growth. This does not mean that difficult experiences are viewed as positive, but that alongside processing their impact, some people may experience shifts in perspective, a greater sense of inner strength, increased clarity about what matters to them and a deeper connection with their personal values.
Approaches used in trauma-focused psychological treatment can include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural approaches and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). The appropriate approach will depend on the person's circumstances, preferences and psychological assessment.
Does trauma therapy mean talking about everything that happened?
Not necessarily.
It is understandable to feel concerned that beginning trauma therapy means immediately describing difficult experiences in extensive detail.
Therapy usually begins with understanding what has brought you to treatment, what you are currently experiencing and what you would like help with.
There may also be time spent discussing how therapy works, identifying what feels manageable and developing strategies to help you respond to distress.
Some forms of trauma therapy involve working with memories or experiences more directly. However, this should occur within a structured therapeutic process rather than simply asking someone to recount everything that has happened.
You can also ask questions about what a particular approach involves before deciding how you would like to proceed.
What does trauma-informed therapy mean?
You may also come across the term trauma-informed.
A trauma-informed approach recognises that previous experiences can influence what feels safe, difficult or manageable during therapy.
This can include considering how therapy is paced, how experiences are discussed and how much choice and understanding someone has throughout the process.
In my practice, I take a trauma-informed approach to psychological therapy. This means considering the person in front of me rather than focusing only on a diagnosis or symptom.
There should be space to understand what you are experiencing, discuss your goals and consider which therapeutic approaches may be appropriate for you.
When might trauma therapy help?
There is no single point at which somebody is required to seek psychological support.
You might consider speaking with a psychologist when the effects of an experience continue to cause distress or begin interfering with areas of your life.
For example, you may notice that:
memories or reminders feel difficult to manage
you are avoiding situations because they bring up distress
you feel constantly tense, alert or unable to switch off
sleep has become difficult or you experience nightmares
certain situations create strong emotional or physical reactions
past experiences are affecting relationships or trust
your confidence or view of yourself has changed
you feel emotionally numb or disconnected
what happened continues to influence your everyday life
Psychological support may be clinically indicated when trauma-related distress is persistent, particularly difficult to manage or is interfering with areas such as work, study, relationships or everyday activities.
You do not need to wait until things become unbearable before discussing what you are experiencing.
Do I need to have PTSD to consider trauma therapy?
No.
Trauma therapy is not limited to people who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some people seek therapy because they are experiencing recognisable symptoms of PTSD. Others may notice particular triggers, fears, relationship patterns, emotional reactions or beliefs that appear connected with previous experiences.
There may also be uncertainty about whether what happened should even be described as “trauma”.
You do not need to decide on a diagnosis before contacting a psychologist.
An initial assessment can provide an opportunity to discuss what has happened, what is affecting you now and what type of support may be appropriate.
What approaches can be used in trauma therapy?
The therapeutic approach will depend on the person and the difficulties being addressed.
Evidence-based psychological treatments for PTSD include several trauma-focused therapies, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioural approaches and EMDR.
In my practice, I may draw on approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, mindfulness-based practices and EMDR, depending on your needs and preferences.
Treatment does not need to follow the same path for everyone.
We can discuss the available options, what each approach involves and why a particular treatment may or may not be relevant to the concerns you would like help with.
Where does EMDR fit into trauma therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one therapeutic approach that may be used when working with trauma and PTSD.
EMDR follows a structured process that includes assessment, preparation, identifying experiences or concerns to work with, reprocessing and reviewing progress.
During parts of the process, bilateral stimulation may be used while working with aspects of a distressing memory or concern.
However, EMDR involves considerably more than eye movements alone.
Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on the individual, their experiences, current circumstances and therapeutic goals.
You do not need to know whether you need EMDR—or any other particular form of therapy—before making an appointment.
What happens during the first appointment?
The first appointment is an opportunity for us to begin understanding what has brought you to therapy.
We may discuss what you have been experiencing, relevant parts of your history, what is happening in your life now and what you would like support to help you change.
You are welcome to ask questions about therapy and the approaches that may be available.
There is no expectation that you explain every difficult experience during your first appointment. We can begin with what feels most relevant or manageable and consider possible next steps from there.
Trauma therapy in McKinnon, Melbourne and via telehealth
I provide psychological therapy for adults from Strive Health Hub, 251 Jasper Road, McKinnon, and welcome in-person clients from across Melbourne.
Telehealth appointments are also available Australia-wide.
I have more than 18 years of experience across public, private and forensic mental health settings, with particular interests in trauma, PTSD and EMDR.
If something from your past continues to affect you in the present, an initial appointment can provide an opportunity to discuss what you are experiencing and consider what type of psychological support may be appropriate.
To ask about availability, fees or arranging your first appointment, please contact me directly:
Phone: 0411 487 321
Email: hello@aphroditeppsychology.com.au
Your first message does not need to explain everything you have experienced. It can simply begin with a question about appointments, availability or whether I work with the concerns you would like support with.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Aphrodite P. Psychology does not provide an emergency or crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.