Trauma Therapy in Melbourne

Trauma therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the effects of traumatic experiences. Trauma can take many forms — from single, acute events like accidents or assaults, to complex, repeated experiences like childhood abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. It can also arise from developmental experiences that shaped how we see ourselves and the world.

Trauma is not just a psychological experience — it is a physiological one. When we experience something overwhelming, the nervous system responds with survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, or collapse. When these responses are not able to complete, they can become stuck in the body, continuing to generate symptoms long after the original event has passed.

At Ādarśa, we take a somatic approach to trauma therapy — working with both the mind and the body to support genuine healing, not just symptom management.

Our approach to trauma therapy is integrative, drawing on somatic psychotherapy, EMDR, schema therapy, and other evidence-based modalities. We tailor our approach to each individual, recognising that no two trauma histories are the same.

Central to our work is the concept of the "window of tolerance" — the zone of nervous system activation in which healing is possible. We work carefully to keep you within this window, neither too activated nor too shut down, so that the work can proceed safely and effectively.

We do not rush. Trauma healing is not a linear process, and we respect the wisdom of your nervous system. Our role is to create the conditions for healing to unfold — with warmth, skill, and deep respect for your pace.

We work with a wide range of trauma presentations, including:

Single-incident trauma (accidents, assault, medical procedures), complex PTSD and developmental trauma (childhood abuse, neglect, attachment disruption), intergenerational and cultural trauma, relationship trauma and domestic violence, grief and traumatic loss, spiritual and existential crisis, and trauma related to medical illness or chronic pain.

We are experienced in working with dissociation and complex presentations, and can adapt our approach accordingly.

Trauma therapy at Ādarśa begins with a thorough assessment of your history, symptoms, and goals. We spend time establishing safety and building the inner resources needed for trauma processing — this is not a step to rush past.

As therapy progresses, we will work together to process traumatic memories and experiences in a way that is titrated and contained. We use a range of approaches including somatic tracking, EMDR, and schema work, depending on what is most helpful for you.

Healing from trauma takes time. We ask for patience — with the process, and with yourself. The changes that come from genuine trauma healing are lasting and transformative.

Trauma therapy sessions are $280 per session. Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP. We also accept NDIS funding for eligible participants. Please contact us to discuss your individual situation.