Trauma & PTSD Counselling in Melbourne (Templestowe)
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You don't have to keep carrying this alone.
Trauma changes how we see ourselves, others, and the world. It can leave you feeling on edge, disconnected, or stuck in patterns you don't understand. Whether you experienced a single overwhelming event or years of difficult experiences, the effects of trauma are real - and so is the possibility of healing.
At True Self Space, we offer trauma counselling in Melbourne that prioritises your safety, moves at your pace, and supports deep healing without retraumatisation.
Understanding Trauma and Its Effects
Trauma isn't defined by what happened, it's defined by how your nervous system responded. What overwhelms one person may not affect another the same way, and that's okay. Your experience is valid regardless of how it compares to anyone else's.
Trauma can result from:
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Childhood experiences including neglect, abuse, or unstable caregiving
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Single-event trauma such as accidents, assaults, or sudden loss
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Relationship trauma including domestic violence or emotional abuse
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Complex or developmental trauma from ongoing difficult environments
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Medical trauma, birth trauma, or experiences of serious illness
Whatever its source, trauma often leaves a lasting imprint on the body and mind - affecting how safe you feel, how you relate to others, and how you see yourself.
Signs You May Be Living with Unresolved Trauma
Trauma doesn't always look like flashbacks and nightmares. Many people carry trauma without realising it's affecting their daily life. You may benefit from trauma therapy in Melbourne if you experience:
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Hypervigilance - feeling on edge, easily startled, or constantly scanning for danger
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Emotional numbness - difficulty feeling emotions or connecting with others
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Triggers and reactivity - intense responses to things that seem minor to others
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Avoidance - steering clear of places, people, or topics that remind you of the past
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Intrusive thoughts or memories - unwanted images or feelings that surface unexpectedly
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Difficulty trusting - keeping people at a distance or struggling in relationships
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Shame and self-blame - feeling fundamentally flawed or responsible for what happened
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Disconnection from your body - feeling numb, "not quite here," or detached from yourself
You don't need a formal PTSD diagnosis to seek support. If past experiences are affecting your present life, that's reason enough.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy in Melbourne
Trauma healing requires more than talking about what happened. At True Self Space, our trauma therapist in Melbourne uses approaches designed specifically for trauma recovery:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps us work with the parts of you affected by trauma - the parts carrying pain, the parts protecting you from feeling it, and the parts frozen in the past. IFS therapy allows trauma to be processed gently, without overwhelming your system.
Attachment-based therapy addresses how trauma - especially early or relational trauma - affects your ability to feel safe in relationships, including the relationship with yourself.
Trauma-informed pacing means we never push you to revisit painful memories before you're ready. You stay in control of the process. Healing happens when the nervous system feels safe, not when it's flooded.
Trauma Counselling in Templestowe
Melanie Pontikis is a registered psychotherapist providing trauma counselling in Templestowe for adults affected by PTSD, complex trauma, and developmental trauma. Her approach is gentle, relational, and deeply respectful of your pace.
Trauma therapy with Melanie focuses on:
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Building safety and stabilisation before processing traumatic material
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Developing resources to regulate your nervous system
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Working with protective parts that developed in response to trauma
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Gently processing traumatic memories and releasing what the body has been holding
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Rebuilding a sense of safety, trust, and connection - with yourself and others
This work isn't about reliving your trauma over and over. It's about helping your nervous system understand the danger has passed, so you can finally feel at ease.
PTSD Treatment in Melbourne
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops when the nervous system remains stuck in a threat response long after the danger has ended. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
Our PTSD counselling in Melbourne addresses these symptoms while also working with the underlying trauma. Rather than just managing symptoms, we support your system to complete the stress response it couldn't finish at the time - allowing genuine resolution rather than ongoing suppression.
Whether your PTSD stems from a single incident or complex, repeated experiences, psychotherapy at True Self Space can help you reclaim your life.
Online and In-Person Trauma Therapy
In-person sessions are available at our Templestowe practice, accessible from Doncaster, Bulleen, Warrandyte, Eltham, and surrounding areas.
Online trauma therapy is available across Melbourne and Australia-wide. Telehealth can be particularly suitable for trauma work, as being in your own safe space can support nervous system regulation.
Begin Trauma Counselling in Melbourne
Reaching out for trauma support takes courage. You may have spent years managing alone, minimising your experiences, or wondering if what happened was "bad enough" to warrant help.
It was. And you deserve support.
Healing from trauma isn't about forgetting what happened. It's about no longer being controlled by it - finding freedom to live fully in the present, connected to yourself and others.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your experience and whether trauma therapy at True Self Space is right for you.