Trauma Therapy
There are many different therapeutic approaches to working with trauma, and the most appropriate approach depends on the type of trauma a person has experienced and when it occurred.
Some therapies focus more on thoughts and meaning-making, while others focus more on the body, the nervous system, and how trauma is held physiologically. I encourage people who are new to therapy to look into these different approaches and consider what feels right for them.
Understanding complex trauma
When ongoing experiences of trauma occur in childhood, particularly in the context of abuse, neglect, or repeated failures of care by those meant to protect the child, the impact can be profound and far-reaching.
These experiences, often described as complex trauma, can significantly affect brain development, emotional regulation, attachment, sense of self, and the ability to feel safe in relationships. The effects can persist well into adulthood and may contribute to ongoing difficulties with emotions, relationships, self-worth, and physical and mental health.
Some people who have experienced complex trauma may appear to be functioning well in their lives, while internally experiencing chronic stress, emotional dysregulation, dissociation, or a persistent sense of threat. These responses are not signs of weakness, but understandable responses to prolonged or early trauma.
There are several assessment tools that can be used to help understand both the nature and the impact of trauma, and I use these when relevant.
Safety and readiness
Trauma is a well-researched and complex area of work. In my practice, the first and most essential requirement for trauma processing is safety.
Deeper trauma work requires enough safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship, as well as sufficient safety in a person’s external environment. It is also important that people have enough internal resources to engage in trauma-processing approaches such as EMDR. This can include the capacity to stay present, regulate emotions, and soothe the nervous system.
Many people with complex trauma experience dissociation. In these situations, it is often necessary to spend time building stability and practical skills before engaging in trauma processing. This preparatory work helps ensure that therapy is paced appropriately and carried out in a way that feels safe and does not overwhelm the nervous system.
The role of the therapeutic relationship
Having new experiences of safety and healthy relationships is an important part of healing, particularly when these experiences sit alongside moments that gently challenge the beliefs formed during trauma.
Over time, noticing when current reality differs from those earlier beliefs can help loosen their hold.
In therapy, this work often happens both through reflection and through the relationship itself. A consistent, attuned therapeutic relationship can offer a different experience of connection, one that supports trust, emotional regulation, and a growing sense of safety.
Together, we can begin to understand how earlier attachment experiences shaped these beliefs, and create space for new ways of relating that feel steadier, more flexible, and less driven by survival strategies learned in the past.
Ongoing learning and recovery
As research into EMDR continues to develop, I remain engaged with current learning and practice. I am an associate member of the EMDR Association of Australia and am continuing my EMDR training.
I hold a strong belief in people’s capacity for recovery when the right conditions are in place, including safety, support, and adequate resources.