Trauma Counselling in Wangaratta & Northeast Victoria

Our experiences shape how we learn to understand ourselves, other people and the world around us.

Sometimes the impact comes from a particular traumatic or distressing experience. At other times, patterns develop gradually through childhood, adolescence or relationships, through what we experienced, what we needed but didn't receive, or the ways we learned to adapt and protect ourselves.

These experiences can contribute to deeply held beliefs about ourselves and relationships. You might find yourself feeling not good enough, expecting rejection, struggling to trust, fearing conflict or abandonment, putting other people's needs ahead of your own, or feeling as though you should be able to cope but somehow can't.

Even when you understand these patterns intellectually, they can continue to influence how you feel, respond and relate in the present.

• Intrusive memories, distress or strong reactions connected with past experiences
• anxiety, hypervigilance or difficulty feeling safe
• a persistent sense of being inadequate, unlovable or not good enough
• difficulty trusting others or feeling secure in relationships
• fear of rejection, abandonment, criticism or conflict
• putting other people's needs ahead of your own
• strong emotional reactions that seem bigger than the current situation
• repeating relationship patterns despite wanting things to be different
• difficulty coping when you feel vulnerable, uncertain or out of control
• the ongoing effects of childhood adversity, difficult relationships, betrayal or other distressing experiences

You don't need to have experienced a single traumatic event or have a diagnosis of PTSD for therapy to be helpful.

My approach to trauma counselling is individualised and collaborative. I draw primarily from Schema Therapy and EMDR, depending on your experiences, needs and what you would like to work on.

Schema Therapy can help identify and change longstanding patterns, beliefs and protective responses that may have developed through earlier experiences. EMDR can be used to process traumatic or distressing experiences that continue to feel emotionally charged in the present.

We begin by understanding what is happening for you and developing a treatment plan together. Trauma processing is not something we need to rush into before you are ready.

Sometimes longstanding patterns become most visible in our closest relationships. If your primary concern is the relationship itself and you would like to work together as a couple, you can learn more about Couples Therapy