Gold Coast Trauma Counselling
Trauma & PTSD
Traumatic experiences such as physical or emotional abuse, physical or sexual assault, injuries, accidents, or sudden loss of a loved one are overwhelming and difficult to deal with. They inevitably have a significant impact on people’s lives.
It is normal to have a wide range of responses following a traumatic experience. Common reactions include feeling tense and on edge, numb, shocked, fearful, angry, irritable, sad, guilty, and lacking in interest and motivation. It is also normal to experience difficulty concentrating, and to feel as though you are in a fog.
Throughout our lifetime we may all experience various events which may to some extent elicit a trauma response. For many people, given time and understanding, their emotional reactions settle to manageable levels. Gradually finding ways to come to terms with what happened, they manage to carry on with their lives.
For others, however, strong reactions to trauma persist. When strong post-traumatic reactions endure for more than three months, and interfere with a person’s life, the person is said to have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Re-experiencing symptoms, such as unwanted intrusive thoughts and memories of the trauma, nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of re-experiencing the event, physically or emotionally, often triggered by reminders of the original experience
- A strong desire to avoid situations, places, or people that trigger memories of the trauma
- Heightened alertness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping
- Persistent negative thoughts, guilt, shame, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of detachment from others
- Feeling emotionally disconnected or numb, often as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions
- Trauma can manifest physically with symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, and muscle tension
Psychological treatment for trauma:
Effective treatment helps you to understand your reactions, and to process the trauma in such a way that you are able to come to terms with it so that it intrudes less on your day-to-day experience.
Psychological treatment can be a vital part of the healing process. However, it’s important to remember there is not just a one-fits-all ‘treatment’ for trauma – this is a very complex and multifaceted response to very distressing and overwhelming situations. As such, it is important to find a trauma-informed practitioner.
We are a trauma-informed practice
Trauma-informed therapy aims to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment that takes into account the unique needs and experiences of trauma survivors. At GCPC we treat trauma in a holistic way and create a therapeutic environment built around safety, trust, and understanding.
Seeking treatment for trauma with a psychologist can lead to a range of benefits:
- Reduced symptoms and a sense of emotional relief and healing
- Greater ability to manage daily life, relationships, and work or school
- Developing coping skills and resilience to future challenges
- A renewed sense of purpose, connection, and fulfilment in life
- Regaining a sense of control and agency over one’s life and emotions
Trauma is a significant and impactful aspect of mental health, but it is possible to heal and find hope after traumatic experiences. Seeking help from a psychologist for trauma is a critical step in the journey toward healing and recovery. Your journey to overcoming trauma and reclaiming your well-being begins with reaching out to a qualified psychologist who can guide you toward a life of healing and resilience.
Remember, seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength and resilience. You deserve a chance to heal, grow, and embrace a promising, peaceful future.