Trauma Psychologist Gold Coast
Trauma is the lasting effect of an experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope. It can follow a single event, such as an accident, an assault or a sudden loss, or an ongoing situation, such as difficult childhood experiences, neglect or living with fear. Trauma can show up as nightmares, flashbacks, feeling constantly on guard, emotional numbness, or difficulty trusting and feeling safe with others. It is common, it is not a sign of weakness, and there are evidence-based psychological treatments that many people find helpful.
At listeningloudly psychology in Varsity Lakes, our Clinical Psychologists work with adults across the Gold Coast and Australia via telehealth who are living with the effects of trauma, including PTSD, complex trauma and difficult childhood experiences. We also work with veterans and current or former ADF members, including DVA-funded clients, and with people affected by work-related incidents. You do not need to have a clear memory of what happened, or to tell the whole story at the start. Whether the experience was recent or decades ago, therapy can help you understand how it still affects you and give you practical ways to move forward at a pace that feels manageable.
Signs and symptoms
Trauma looks different from person to person, and you may notice some of the signs below more than others.
Intrusive memories: Unwanted images, thoughts or flashbacks that arrive without warning and can feel as though the event is happening again.
Nightmares and poor sleep: Distressing dreams, difficulty falling asleep, or waking in a state of alarm.
Feeling constantly on guard: Being easily startled, scanning for danger or finding it hard to relax, even in safe places.
Avoidance: Steering clear of people, places, conversations or reminders connected to what happened.
Emotional numbness: Feeling flat, detached or disconnected from yourself and other people.
Strong reactions to reminders: Sudden fear, anger or panic triggered by a sound, smell, date or situation.
Difficulty trusting others: Finding it hard to feel safe, get close to people or believe that others have good intentions.
Shame or self-blame: Carrying guilt or a sense that what happened was your fault, or that something is wrong with you.
Mood and anxiety changes: Ongoing low mood, worry or irritability that seems to have no obvious cause.
Patterns that began in childhood: Long-standing difficulty with emotions, relationships or self-worth that can trace back to early experiences.
How therapy helps and what to expect at listeningloudly
Therapy for anxiety usually moves through stages, and we adjust the pace to suit you.
Getting to know you
In your first sessions we talk through what brought you in, what you are experiencing now, and what you would like to be different. You do not have to share details before you are ready.
Building safety and stability
Before looking closely at the past, we focus on feeling steadier day to day, with practical ways to manage sleep, strong emotions and reactions to reminders.
Working through the experience
When you are ready, we work with what happened using evidence-based, trauma-focused approaches, at a pace you can manage, so it feels less overwhelming over time.
Making it last
We review your progress, plan for difficult moments and build on what is working, so you can keep using the skills after therapy ends.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk about what happened?
Not at the start, and not in detail unless you choose to. Early sessions focus on getting to know you, building steadiness and agreeing on how we will work. When and how much you share is decided together, so you stay in control of the pace.
How do I know if what I have counts as trauma?
There is no checklist. If an experience, or a long period of difficult circumstances, still affects how you feel, sleep, trust people or cope today, it is worth talking about, however it compares with what other people have been through. Difficult childhood experiences count, including experiences that may have felt like "normal" at the time. A first appointment is a chance to talk it through and decide what, if anything, would help.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist for trauma?
You don't need a referral to book with a psychologist. A GP can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (often called a Mental Health Care Plan), which may allow you to claim Medicare rebates on a set number of sessions each calendar year, depending on your situation. Your GP can tell you whether you're eligible. Sessions are available face-to-face in Varsity Lakes or by telehealth from anywhere in Australia.listeningloudly offers expert and compassionate clinical psychology services for most concerns and difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, life transitions, self-esteem, work and employment issues.
Whatever brings you to us - you are welcome here. Whether you are facing a life challenge or would like to improve your mental health and wellbeing we offer individualised care, customised to your particular needs and goals. To find out more about our practice and who we work with, see our Clinical Psychology Services on the Gold Coast.