As a registered psychologist based in Sydney CBD, I work with people experiencing trauma and PTSD across a range of presentations — single-incident trauma, complex trauma, and occupational exposure including first responders and those in high-risk roles. Sessions are available in-person at my Elizabeth Street practice or via telehealth anywhere in Australia, with Medicare rebates available through a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

PTSD & Trauma Symptoms

Trauma-related symptoms vary widely. Common experiences include:

• intrusive memories or mental replay of events (flashbacks)

• heightened alertness or constantly assessing for threats in the environment

• irritability or sudden emotional reactions

• avoidance of reminders or situations

• emotional numbing or detachment (dissociation)

• difficulty sleeping or relaxing

• changes in mood, identity, or worldview

Trauma Is a Nervous System Response

When a person is exposed to threat, the nervous system shifts into survival mode. If the threat is overwhelming or repeated, the system may remain partially activated long after the event has ended.

This can lead to:

• hypervigilance

• exaggerated startle responses

• difficulty calming down

• emotional shutdown

• a sense of always needing to be prepared

Trauma in First Responders and High-Risk Roles

First responders and those exposed to critical incidents face unique challenges.

Repeated exposure to danger, suffering, or moral injury can gradually accumulate. Many people compartmentalise in order to do their jobs — remaining focused, calm, and effective in the moment. The impact often emerges later, once the pace slows or life demands change.

Common challenges include:

• delayed trauma responses

• emotional numbing

• irritability at home

• difficulty relaxing off-duty

• sleep disturbances

• loss of trust or safety

Support doesn’t mean you couldn’t handle the job — it means your system has been under sustained pressure.

How Trauma Stays Stuck

Trauma symptoms often persist when:

• the nervous system remains in threat mode

• memories are avoided rather than processed

• emotions are suppressed to keep functioning

• the body never fully discharges survival energy

• beliefs about danger or responsibility go unexamined

Avoidance can reduce distress in the short term, but it reinforces the sense that certain memories or emotions are unsafe to experience.

Trauma and Identity

Trauma can shatter beliefs surrounding how people see themselves and the world.

This may show up as:

• feeling detached from who you used to be

• loss of meaning or direction

• increased cynicism or guardedness

• changes in relationships

• difficulty feeling joy or safety

Therapy helps integrate these experiences in a way that allows growth rather than disconnection.

When It’s Worth Getting Support

It may be helpful to seek support if:

• symptoms persist months or years after events

• you feel constantly tense or alert

• sleep is disrupted

• emotions feel unpredictable or blunted

• relationships are affected

• you feel “different” but can’t explain why

How I Help With Trauma and PTSD

My approach to working with clients experiencing trauma-related symptoms in therapy is focuses on evidence-based principles and draws from various psychological interventions that I tailor to your specific needs and goals.

This generally involves:

• understanding how trauma affects your body and mind

• building tools to regulate arousal and emotional intensity

• working with traumatic memories in a contained, supported way

• reducing avoidance while maintaining a sense of control

• challenging beliefs shaped by trauma

• restoring trust in yourself and the present

Trauma responses are normal reactions to abnormal situations. With the right support, people can process what has happened, regain emotional balance, and reconnect with a sense of safety and agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between trauma and PTSD? Trauma refers to an overwhelming experience that exceeds the nervous system's capacity to process normally. PTSD is a specific clinical diagnosis that can develop following trauma, characterised by intrusive symptoms, avoidance, negative changes in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but many people experience significant trauma-related symptoms that warrant support regardless of whether they meet the full diagnostic criteria.

• How is trauma treated psychologically? Effective trauma treatment typically involves two phases: stabilisation: building the capacity to manage distress and feel safe enough to engage in processing, followed by trauma-focused work, which involves working with traumatic memories in a structured, contained way. Evidence-based approaches include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, and somatic methods. The pace is always guided by what feels manageable for the individual.

• How many sessions does trauma therapy take? This varies considerably depending on the nature and complexity of the trauma. Single-incident trauma often responds within 12-20 sessions of focused treatment. Complex trauma involving repeated or developmental experiences typically requires longer-term work. Progress is reviewed collaboratively throughout, and the timeline is never fixed.

• Does Medicare cover psychology sessions for trauma and PTSD? Yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you're eligible for Medicare rebates on individual psychology sessions. Your GP can arrange this before your first appointment.

• I work in a high-risk role and don't want to affect my career. Is this confidential? Yes. All psychology sessions are confidential. There are narrow legal exceptions — imminent risk of harm to self or others, and mandatory reporting requirements relating to children but these are specific and limited. Seeking psychological support does not affect your employment status or security clearance in most circumstances. If you have specific concerns about confidentiality in your role, this is worth discussing openly at the start of treatment.

• Is telehealth available for trauma therapy? Yes. Trauma-focused therapy has good evidence for telehealth delivery. For many people, particularly those in regional areas or in roles where attending an in-person appointment feels exposing, telehealth offers both accessibility and a degree of privacy that supports engagement.

Related Services

If trauma is part of a broader pattern, you may also find these pages relevant:

• Anxiety — hypervigilance and threat sensitivity following trauma often present as anxiety

• Depression — trauma and depression frequently co-occur, particularly in complex presentations

• Insomnia — sleep disturbance is one of the most common and persistent trauma symptoms

• Anger Management — irritability and emotional reactivity are common trauma responses, particularly in men and first responders

If you'd like to discuss your situation and whether therapy might help, please get in touch here, or by using the form below.