Trauma can have lasting impacts on how you feel, think, and navigate the world. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event and are struggling with intrusive memories, anxiety, avoidance, or feeling unsafe, trauma-informed therapy can support your healing and recovery.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops after exposure to a traumatic event – something that involved or threatened death, serious injury, or violation. PTSD isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a natural response when the mind and body are overwhelmed by what they’ve experienced. PTSD can show up in several ways. You might experience intrusive memories or flashbacks where the trauma feels like it’s happening again. You might avoid reminders of the trauma, even if logically you know they’re safe. Hyperarousal – feeling constantly on alert, jumpy, or unable to relax – is common. You might notice negative changes in how you think about yourself or the world, or difficulty with emotions and relationships.
How It Might Affect You
PTSD can profoundly affect your daily functioning. Sleep becomes difficult, whether from nightmares or hyperarousal. You might avoid places, people, or activities connected to the trauma – avoidance that gradually narrows your world. Relationships can be affected if you’re struggling to trust others or if hyperarousal makes you irritable or withdrawn. You might find yourself constantly scanning for danger, or feeling numb to things that would normally affect you. Concentration and memory can be impaired. You might feel disconnected from your body or others around you. Many people experience shame or guilt about the trauma, even when it wasn’t their fault. With trauma-informed support, many people gradually process what happened and rebuild their sense of safety and connection.
Our Approach to PTSD
Working with a psychologist at Growth Psychology, you’ll receive trauma-informed care in a safe, supportive environment. Our psychologists are trained to understand trauma’s impact and to support healing. We work at your pace, never pushing you faster than feels manageable. We use evidence-based approaches that help you process the trauma and reduce its hold on your life. This might include helping you make sense of what happened, gradually processing traumatic memories in a safe way, or developing skills to manage the physical and emotional responses to trauma triggers. We emphasise your strengths and resilience – the fact that you’ve survived and are seeking healing is testament to your strength. We work collaboratively to rebuild your sense of safety in your body and the world. Many people find that trauma-informed therapy helps them move from surviving to truly living again. Learn more about our therapeutic approaches.
When to Seek Help
If trauma is affecting how you feel, think, or function – whether the event was recent or years ago – seeking support can make a real difference. Trauma responses don’t fade on their own; healing typically requires dedicated, professional support. You deserve to heal and to feel safe again.
Ask about our Post Traumatic Stress Disorder services.
If you’d like to explore how therapy might help, we’re here to talk through your needs.
Our practicitioners with a focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Shelley Phillips - Psychologist
Shelley Phillips is a registered Psychologist who offers a warm, caring, and evidence‑informed approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing. She draws on CBT, ACT, Positive Psychology, and strengths‑based practices to help clients explore challenges in life and work. Shelley also supports clients navigating job selection processes, career development, and workplace stress. She has experience working with emergency services personnel and has worked as a psychology lecturer, mentor, and supervisor.
Greg is an Endorsed Counselling Psychologist with more than thirty years of experience supporting people across a wide range of life challenges. He works collaboratively with clients to explore the impact of past experiences, strengthen emotional wellbeing, and navigate patterns that influence relationships and daily life. Greg uses evidence‑informed approaches tailored to each person’s needs. Greg has worked in counselling and psychotherapy private practice in metropolitan centres and remote rural areas, in schools, government organisations, emergency services, military veterans’ organisations and in industry. He has also worked as an academic, teacher and in management and specialist roles in the mining industry.
Rita is a registered teacher and Psychologist who offers a supportive, non‑judgemental space for clients experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, grief, difficult or traumatic events, life transitions, and relationship concerns. She works from a Process‑Oriented Psychology framework, helping clients explore inner experiences and the patterns that influence wellbeing and personal growth.
Beth is a registered Psychologist who supports adults across a range of wellbeing and mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, life transitions, and career‑related challenges. She draws on CBT, ACT, Schema‑informed strategies, and strengths‑based, person‑centred approaches. Beth also provides services under Queensland emergency services support programs and works in training, development, and career‑related support.
