Psychological Support for PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as abuse, accidents, disasters, or violence. It often brings symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, or emotional numbing, leaving survivors feeling on edge or disconnected from everyday life. PTSD does not mean you are weak — it reflects the mind and body’s survival system remaining in “alarm mode” long after the danger has passed. With the right support, recovery is possible. Through online therapy, I provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment to help reduce symptoms, process traumatic memories, and rebuild a sense of safety, stability, and hope.
“PTSD occurs when the body and mind keep reacting to danger, even when the threat is over.”
Information about Therapy for PTSD
Understanding PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event that overwhelms their ability to cope. These events might include domestic or family violence, sexual assault, childhood abuse, serious accidents, medical trauma, natural disasters, or other experiences where life or safety was threatened. PTSD is not a sign of weakness or failure — it is the mind and body’s survival system becoming “stuck” in alarm mode.
Common symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders, and feeling constantly on edge. Many survivors also experience strong physiological responses, such as a racing heart, sweating, shaking, or sudden feelings of panic when confronted with triggers. Over time, PTSD can profoundly affect relationships, work, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Research shows that PTSD is closely connected with other mental health conditions. Survivors often live with anxiety, depression, or complex trauma, alongside physical health challenges such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, or autoimmune conditions linked to prolonged stress. Trauma doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it reshapes how the brain and body function.
From a Schema Therapy perspective, trauma can reinforce deep-seated schemas such as defectiveness/shame, mistrust/abuse, or vulnerability to harm. These patterns affect how survivors see themselves, others, and the world, often leading to cycles of self-blame, isolation, or fear of intimacy. Therapy helps identify these schemas, reduce their grip, and build healthier ways of relating.
Importantly, PTSD is treatable. With the right support, survivors can calm the nervous system, process traumatic memories safely, and rediscover a sense of stability and hope. Therapy does not erase what happened, but it helps reduce the power trauma holds over daily life.
The Impact of PTSD on Daily Life
PTSD is not confined to memories of the past. Survivors often describe it as though trauma has invaded the present — influencing how they feel, think, and behave every day. Flashbacks and nightmares can interrupt sleep and concentration, leaving people exhausted and unable to focus at work or school. Hypervigilance — constantly scanning for danger — can make social situations overwhelming. Avoidance of reminders can lead to isolation, as survivors withdraw from people or activities they once enjoyed.
The emotional impact is equally significant. Many people with PTSD report intense anxiety, depression, guilt, or shame. Some blame themselves for what happened, or believe they should be “over it by now.” Others feel emotionally numb, disconnected from loved ones, or unable to trust again. It is also common to experience anger, irritability, or frustration, particularly when triggered.
For some, PTSD symptoms extend into the body. Chronic stress can contribute to muscle tension, headaches, stomach problems, or a weakened immune system. This adds another layer of difficulty, making it harder to cope.
The ripple effects on relationships are profound. Survivors may find themselves pulling away from partners, family, or friends, fearing judgment or rejection. Others may struggle with intimacy, conflict resolution, or parenting, especially if their trauma involved close relationships or family violence. Without support, these patterns can reinforce feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
Therapy helps by breaking down these patterns into manageable parts. Survivors learn grounding techniques to calm the nervous system, strategies to reduce avoidance, and tools for managing flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. Schema Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can target the root of the trauma, helping the brain process what happened in a safer, more integrated way. Recovery involves learning to live with memories without being dominated by them.
PTSD and Faith
For people of faith, PTSD often brings additional layers of struggle. Traumatic events can shatter previously held beliefs about safety, justice, and God’s protection. Survivors may ask, “Why did God allow this?” or “What does this mean about my faith?” This spiritual distress is a normal part of trauma recovery, but it can be particularly painful when faith is central to identity and community.
In some cases, religious teachings or community responses unintentionally increase harm. Survivors may be told to “pray harder,” “forgive and move on,” or “be strong in the Lord.” While often well-intentioned, these responses can intensify shame and isolation, leaving survivors feeling that their faith is failing them. Where trauma has occurred within a faith setting — such as spiritual abuse, clergy abuse, or violence in a religious marriage — the betrayal cuts even deeper. Survivors may grieve not only the trauma itself, but also the loss of belonging and trust in their faith community.
At the same time, faith can be an important source of resilience. Many survivors find comfort, purpose, and renewed strength through their relationship with God when supported by safe and compassionate faith leaders. Therapy can help survivors explore the impact of trauma on their spiritual life, separate distorted or misused teachings from life-giving beliefs, and rebuild a sense of meaning and hope.
From a psychological perspective, it is important to work gently with both the trauma and the spiritual questions it raises. Schema Therapy offers language for this — identifying how trauma might reinforce schemas such as punishment, defectiveness/shame, or abandonment. Addressing these schemas allows survivors to see that trauma was not a reflection of their worth, their faith, or God’s love.
Therapy provides space to ask hard questions without judgment, and if you desire, to find ways of integrating faith into recovery in ways that feel safe and empowering.
Treatment, Support, and Recovery for PTSD
PTSD is treatable, and recovery is possible. With therapy, many people experience significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. The path to recovery often begins with safety and stabilisation — calming the nervous system, building coping skills, and creating a sense of security in daily life.
At Refuge Psychology, I use evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies including Schema Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and parts work. These approaches provide different pathways to healing, from reprocessing traumatic memories to reshaping the deep patterns of belief and behaviour that trauma reinforced.
Therapy also helps with the practical realities of PTSD:
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Managing flashbacks and nightmares through grounding and imagery techniques
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Reducing anxiety and hypervigilance with relaxation and mindfulness strategies
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Challenging self-blame and shame with cognitive and schema-based approaches
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Strengthening relationships by developing communication skills and healthier boundaries
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Rebuilding daily stability through routines, sleep strategies, and stress management
Healing does not mean forgetting what happened — it means reducing the trauma’s power over your life. Many survivors describe recovery as a gradual process of regaining their voice, rediscovering joy, and learning to live in the present without being pulled back into the past.
If you are living with PTSD, please know that support is available. Therapy can help you move from survival to stability, from fear to freedom, and from trauma toward hope.
Frequently Asked Questions about PTSD
What is the difference between PTSD and complex trauma?
PTSD often develops after a single traumatic event, such as a car accident or assault. Complex trauma develops after ongoing or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, or long-term neglect. Both involve the nervous system being overwhelmed, but complex trauma often affects identity, relationships, and emotional regulation more broadly. Therapy can address both by providing stabilisation, processing traumatic memories, and building healthier patterns of self-worth and connection.
Can PTSD cause anxiety and depression?
Yes. PTSD commonly occurs alongside other mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression, as well as OCD. Survivors may feel constantly on edge, fearful, or withdrawn, and may also experience guilt, shame, or hopelessness. These are not signs of weakness — they are natural responses to trauma. Therapy can address PTSD symptoms while also supporting recovery from anxiety, depression, and related concerns.
What therapies do you use for PTSD, and how do Schema Therapy and EMDR fit in?
My primary approach to supporting people with PTSD and trauma is Schema Therapy. This therapy looks at the deep emotional patterns (schemas) that can develop after trauma and helps people understand, challenge, and heal them. Schema Therapy includes both practical strategies and some gentle processing of traumatic experiences, with the aim of integrating memories in a way that reduces their power and supports long-term recovery. This is primarily a talk therapy, similar to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with some experiential elements added to it.
I also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) for clients who feel comfortable with this approach. EMDR is an evidence-based method that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories through guided recall combined with bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping). Please know that EMDR is not my primary modality, and you will always have full choice in whether or not to engage with this therapy. Together, we can discuss which approach feels most appropriate and supportive for you.
I’m not sure if I have PTSD — can therapy still help me?
Yes. Many people are unsure whether what they are experiencing “counts” as PTSD. You do not need a diagnosis to seek and receive help. Some common signs of PTSD include intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding reminders of what happened, feeling constantly on edge, or experiencing strong guilt, shame, or self-blame. Others may feel emotionally numb or disconnected from themselves and their relationships.
Even if your experiences don’t fit neatly into the definition of PTSD, therapy can still be very helpful. Trauma can affect people in many different ways, and support is focused on reducing distress, improving wellbeing, and helping you regain a sense of safety and stability. Therapy is not about fitting into a label — it’s about addressing what you are going through and supporting your recovery.
Is PTSD treatable, or will I always have it?
Yes. PTSD is highly treatable with the right support. Approaches such as Schema Therapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and other trauma-informed methods have been shown to reduce symptoms and help survivors rebuild their lives. Therapy provides tools to manage flashbacks, calm the nervous system, challenge self-blame, and support recovery in relationships, work, and faith.
What if I don’t want to talk about the trauma in detail?
That’s okay. Therapy for PTSD does not always mean recounting every detail of what happened, and if you do not feel comfortable with this, we will work on those elements of trauma recovery you feel most comfortable with, and take it at your pace. It may be helpful to know that avoidance of memories is one of the criteria of PTSD, so you are not alone in feeling this way. Approaches like EMDR and Schema Therapy allow the brain to process trauma without needing to re-live it in detail. Sessions focus on helping you feel safe, reducing symptoms, and building strategies for living well in the present.
My PTSD is associated with some traumatic experiences I had in a church or faith environment. Are you able to help with the confusion and distress this has caused?
Yes. Trauma that occurs within a church or faith environment can be especially complex. Survivors often describe not only the emotional and psychological effects of trauma, but also deep confusion, grief, or spiritual distress. For some, teachings were used in harmful ways to excuse abuse or silence concerns, leaving lasting feelings of guilt, shame, or fear. Others struggle with loss of trust in their community, or even in God, which can feel disorienting and painful.
As a psychologist, I provide a safe space to process both the traumatic experiences themselves and the spiritual or faith-related struggles that may follow. Therapy can help you:
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Understand how trauma in a faith setting has affected your sense of safety, belonging, and identity.
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Untangle distorted or misused spiritual messages from what you personally value and believe.
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Address common trauma symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, or hypervigilance.
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Explore how to reconnect with faith, community, or spirituality in a way that feels safe — if that is something you want.
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My role is not to give theological answers but to walk with you in processing both the psychological and spiritual impact of what you’ve been through. Many people find that by addressing the trauma and the confusion together, they can move toward healing, clarity, and a renewed sense of dignity and hope.
I experienced PTSD from birth trauma. Are you a psychologist that can help with birth trauma?
Yes. Medical trauma can occur when healthcare experiences feel overwhelming, frightening, or unsafe — such as emergency procedures, invasive interventions, or feeling powerless or unheard in a medical setting. These experiences can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects, including anxiety, panic, flashbacks, nightmares, or fear of engaging with medical care in the future.
As a psychologist, I have a strong understanding of medical trauma and its impact. My primary approach is Schema Therapy, which helps explore how these experiences affect deep emotional patterns, and supports the integration of traumatic memories in a safe, structured way. For clients who feel comfortable, I also offer EMDR, an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Therapy can help reduce symptoms, rebuild trust, and support you in feeling safer and more confident when engaging with healthcare again. You will always have choice in the approach we take, and support will be tailored to your individual needs.
I am looking for a psychologist that can help me with PTSD from medical trauma — can you support me with this?
Yes. Medical trauma can occur when healthcare experiences feel overwhelming, frightening, or unsafe — such as emergency procedures, invasive interventions, or feeling powerless or unheard in a medical setting. These experiences can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects, including anxiety, panic, flashbacks, nightmares, or fear of engaging with medical care in the future.
As a psychologist, I have a strong understanding of medical trauma and its impact. My primary approach is Schema Therapy, which helps explore how these experiences affect deep emotional patterns, and supports the integration of traumatic memories in a safe, structured way. For clients who feel comfortable, I also offer EMDR, an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Therapy can help reduce symptoms, rebuild trust, and support you in feeling safer and more confident when engaging with healthcare again. You will always have choice in the approach we take, and support will be tailored to your individual needs.
I have experienced sexual assault — can you help me with this?
Yes. Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that can leave lasting physical, emotional, and psychological impacts. Survivors often experience symptoms such as anxiety, depression, shame, hypervigilance, difficulty with trust or intimacy, and in some cases PTSD or complex trauma. It is common to feel conflicted emotions — fear, anger, numbness, or self-blame — even years after the event.
As a psychologist, I provide a safe and supportive space to process these experiences at your own pace. My primary approach is Schema Therapy, which helps address deep patterns of shame, mistrust, or vulnerability that trauma can reinforce. I also offer EMDR for those who feel comfortable with this method, as it can be highly effective in reprocessing traumatic memories. You will always have full choice in how we work together, and therapy is tailored to your needs and values.
I thought I was doing perfectly fine, and then suddenly I started to have flashbacks, bad dreams, and panic attacks — is this normal?
Yes. It’s common for trauma symptoms to appear months or even years after the event. At the time of the trauma, your mind and body may have gone into “survival mode,” allowing you to keep going day-to-day. Later, when life feels safer or there’s a reminder of what happened, memories can resurface and the nervous system may react as if the danger is happening again. This can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, or feeling constantly on edge.
Sometimes trauma experienced in childhood — including abuse, neglect, or growing up in a home affected by domestic violence — can emerge unexpectedly in adulthood. These memories may surface when triggered by life stress, parenthood, relationships, or even a sense of safety that allows your mind to start processing what was once too overwhelming.
Experiencing symptoms after a delay does not mean you are weak or “going backwards.” It means your body and mind are finally trying to process what happened. Therapy can help you make sense of these symptoms, calm the nervous system, and find ways to safely integrate traumatic memories so they no longer dominate your present.
Why am I having panic attacks after trauma? Is this PTSD and can therapy help?
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that often come with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or shaking. For many trauma survivors, panic attacks occur because the nervous system has learned to stay on high alert. Even when there is no current danger, the body can react as if the trauma is happening again. Triggers may be obvious — like reminders of the event — or subtle, leaving you feeling panicked “out of the blue.”
Panic attacks can occur for a range of reasons and they do not necessarily mean that you have PTSD. However, Panic attacks are a common symptom that people with PTSD experience.
Therapy can help you understand the connection between trauma and panic, reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, and give you practical strategies to manage them when they arise. Schema Therapy, EMDR, and other trauma-informed approaches provide tools to calm the nervous system, process traumatic memories, and restore a greater sense of safety and control.
I am a person of faith, and feel that these PTSD symptoms may mean I do not have enough faith or have not prayed enough. What are your thoughts on this?
It’s very common for people of faith to worry that trauma symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, or panic mean they are somehow spiritually lacking. Some even fear that their struggles are evidence of weak faith or not praying enough. From a psychological perspective, these symptoms are linked to how the brain and body respond to trauma. PTSD and related difficulties are survival responses — the nervous system remains on high alert, even when the danger has passed. They reflect our humanity and exposure to overwhelming circumstances, not a lack of faith.
Therapy provides a safe place to process both the trauma and the spiritual confusion it may have caused. For some, harmful or distorted messages about suffering and faith can deepen shame or guilt, which may increase rather than help symptoms of PTSD. Part of recovery involves untangling these messages and recognising that struggling with symptoms does not mean you lack faith. Many faith leaders affirm that seeking help is not a failure, but a step toward healing and wholeness.
If your faith is important to you, I will incorporate it into therapy in ways that feel safe and supportive. Healing from trauma does not mean setting faith aside — it means addressing both the psychological and spiritual impact of what you’ve been through.
I’ve had experiences related to my church or faith leaders that have left me feeling really traumatised. Can you help me with this?
Yes. Many people have deeply distressing or confusing experiences within faith settings — such as being controlled, shamed, excluded, or betrayed by those they trusted. When this happens in a spiritual environment, the impact can reach beyond emotional pain. It can shake a person’s sense of safety, self-worth, and even their understanding of God.
What you’re describing may be a form of religious or spiritual trauma. This can occur when faith, Scripture, or spiritual authority are misused in ways that cause fear, guilt, or loss of identity. People often describe symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — intrusive memories, anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, or avoidance of reminders such as churches or religious language. Others may struggle with trust, belonging, or feeling “safe” in their own spirituality.
As a psychologist with experience supporting those recovering from faith-related harm, coercive control, and spiritual abuse, I offer a trauma-informed and respectful space to process what has happened.
Therapy can help you:
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Make sense of the experiences and their psychological and spiritual effects.
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Rebuild a sense of safety, identity, and self-trust after betrayal or manipulation.
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Work through feelings of anger, grief, guilt, or confusion about faith and community.
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Explore ways to reconnect with spirituality (or redefine it) that feel authentic and safe for you.
You are not alone, and your experiences matter. Healing from faith-related trauma takes time and compassion — but recovery is possible. Therapy can support you in reclaiming your sense of agency, hope, and meaning, whether or not you choose to remain connected to a faith community.
Why do I feel numb, disconnected, or like I can’t trust anyone anymore?
After trauma, especially when it has involved betrayal, control, or fear, it’s common to feel emotionally numb or detached. These feelings aren’t a sign of weakness — they’re the mind and body’s way of protecting you from becoming overwhelmed. When something frightening or deeply distressing happens, your nervous system may stay on high alert or, at times, shut down as a form of survival.
Feeling numb or disconnected can also happen when trust has been broken. If someone you relied on — such as a partner, family member, or faith leader — caused you harm, your system learns that closeness might not be safe. As a result, you may struggle to trust others, even those who genuinely care for you.
These reactions are part of post-traumatic stress responses, not permanent personality changes. With trauma-focused therapy, it’s possible to gently reconnect with emotions, restore a sense of safety in your body, and rebuild trust in relationships at your own pace.
Therapy can help you understand these patterns, learn ways to ground and regulate your emotions, and begin to experience closeness and connection without fear. Healing takes time, but recovery is absolutely possible — even after deep hurt or betrayal.
What is Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. It’s a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can affect how you think, feel, and handle daily activities. People with depression might experience symptoms such as feeling tired all the time, having trouble sleeping, losing interest in hobbies, feeling worthless or guilty, and even having difficulty concentrating. It can also cause physical symptoms like aches and pains.
What Causes Depression
There are many reasons why someone might experience depression. It can be triggered by significant life changes, such as losing a job, going through a breakup, or experiencing the death of a loved one. Sometimes, it runs in families, suggesting a genetic link. Other times, it might be related to ongoing stress, trauma, or certain medical conditions.
Understanding the specific reasons behind someone’s depression is crucial, which is where the concept of "formulation" comes in. Formulation is like creating a map of a person’s unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings to understand what might be contributing to their depression. This helps in choosing the right treatment approach, ensuring it’s tailored to the individual’s needs.
The Consequences
Depression can often lead to a vicious cycle. When you’re feeling down, it’s hard to find the motivation to do the things you once enjoyed. This lack of activity can make you feel even worse, leading to even less motivation. Breaking this cycle is an important part of recovery.
Depression can also affect relationships. It may cause you to withdraw from loved ones, feel irritable or misunderstood, or struggle to communicate. Over time, this can lead to conflict, disconnection, or isolation, which may deepen feelings of sadness and loneliness.
Work and study can also become difficult. Concentration may suffer, energy levels can drop, and small tasks may feel overwhelming. This can impact job performance or make it hard to keep up with responsibilities, sometimes leading to job loss or academic struggles—further affecting self-esteem and hope for the future.
In severe cases, depression can lead to thoughts of suicide. If this is happening, it’s important to know that you are not alone, and help is available.
Support is Available
Kylie, an online Psychologist and experienced counsellor, uses a combination of therapies to help break this cycle and support recovery. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps change negative thought patterns, while Schema Therapy addresses deep-rooted beliefs. EMDR is an evidence- based approach that can also help relieve symptoms of PTSD. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages embracing emotions and committing to actions that align with personal values. Emotional Focused Therapy and Gottman Therapy can also be used to address relational concerns that are contributing to depression.
Book a session through the online portal today, or phone on:
1300 618 377
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