Trauma isn’t only defined by what happened — it’s defined by how the nervous system responded, and whether it had the opportunity to settle afterward.

For some people, trauma involves a single overwhelming event. For others, it results from repeated exposure to multiple traumatic events. This is common for people who work in high-risk or high-responsibility roles, such as first responders, where functioning under pressure is expected and emotional processing often comes later.

Post-traumatic stress isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a nervous system that hasn’t yet been able to return to safety.

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.

If you’d like to arrange a session to discuss your specific situation and see what I can do to help, please get in touch using the form below.

Telehealth sessions are available Australia-wide.