Psychologist - Online Counselling for Trauma & Abuse
Are you experiencing nightmares, sudden waves of panic, or feeling overwhelmed when reminders of past experiences surface?
These can be signs of trauma. Whether the result of a single event or a series of painful experiences, trauma can stay with us in ways we don’t always expect.
Support is available. Through online counselling for trauma, you can access a safe and compassionate space from the comfort of your own home. Together, we can process what’s happened, understand your reactions, and begin to reclaim a sense of safety and stability—no matter where you are in Australia.
“What if the wound is where we begin our real work of healing?”
Information about Depression
Recovering from the Past, Rebuilding Your Future
Experiencing trauma or abuse—whether emotional, physical, psychological, or spiritual—can leave lasting effects. It may shape how you see yourself, your relationships, and the world around you.
Trauma recovery is not about erasing the past but learning to move forward with strength and self-compassion. Support is available.
Scientific research suggests that emotional dysregulation—an impaired ability to manage emotional states—is at the core of many psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, mood disorders, and interpersonal and complex trauma. Emotional dysregulation is often linked to early interpersonal trauma, where distressing experiences in childhood can sensitise the nervous system, making it harder to regulate emotions later in life.
Trauma affects individuals in different ways. You may experience:
• Persistent feelings of fear, shame, or guilt
• Anxiety, hypervigilance, or difficulty feeling safe
• Emotional numbness or detachment from others
• Self-doubt, low self-worth, or difficulty setting boundaries
• Flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares
• Difficulty getting to sleep, and sleep disturbance.
• Challenges in personal relationships.
Childhood Trauma & Complex Trauma
Early life experiences shape emotional and psychological development. Childhood trauma—whether through neglect, abuse, or unstable environments—can have lasting effects, often manifesting in adulthood as:
• Difficulty trusting others or forming secure relationships
• Persistent self-doubt, shame, or fear of abandonment
• Patterns of people-pleasing, avoidance, or emotional numbness
• Struggles with emotional regulation and self-worth
• Fear of abandonment.
Complex trauma refers to repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing experiences, often occurring in childhood or within relationships where safety and trust should exist. Emotional dysregulation in adulthood is often rooted in early unmet needs, leading to maladaptive schemas and coping strategies.
Therapeutic Support for Trauma Recovery
Compassionate counselling provides a safe and supportive space to:
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Process past experiences at your own pace
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Develop coping strategies to manage distressing emotions
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Rebuild self-worth and confidence
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Establish healthy relationships and boundaries
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Navigate faith-related trauma or religious abuse, if relevant to your experience
Schema Therapy and TF-CBT are effective in trauma recovery as they focus on:
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Identifying early maladaptive schemas that contribute to distress
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Addressing emotion-focused strategies for regulation
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Rebuilding self-worth and correcting deeply held negative beliefs
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Strengthening the therapeutic relationship to provide a sense of safety and trust
Hope and Recovery Are Possible
Recovery is not about forgetting the past—it’s about finding ways to move forward with strength and self-compassion. Whether you’re navigating workplace trauma, recovering from religious abuse, processing childhood experiences, or healing from medical trauma, support is available.
Curated Mind Psychology provides online trauma-informed counselling across Australia. Kylie Walls, a registered psychologist, offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help individuals process their experiences, develop coping strategies, and regain a sense of agency and well-being.
Online appointments available Australia-wide. Contact Curated Mind Psychology to take the first step toward healing.
Workplace Trauma & Moral Injury
The workplace can be a source of significant emotional distress, particularly in environments where there is bullying, harassment, chronic stress, or ethical conflicts. Workplace trauma may stem from:
• Workplace bullying or harassment – Repeated mistreatment, exclusion, or intimidation by colleagues or leadership.
• Moral injury – The distress of being forced to act against your values or witnessing unethical behaviour without the ability to intervene.
• Toxic work environments – Chronic stress, unrealistic expectations, or lack of psychological safety.
• Betrayal trauma – Feeling undermined, manipulated, or unsupported by an employer or team.
The effects of workplace trauma can extend beyond the office, affecting self-esteem, relationships, and even physical health. Emotional dysregulation caused by prolonged workplace distress can lead to heightened anxiety, difficulty managing emotions, and long-term psychological impacts. Schema Therapy and TF-CBT can help by addressing the underlying emotional wounds and maladaptive coping mechanisms that arise from these experiences.
Religious Trauma & Spiritual Abuse
For many, faith is a source of comfort, but spiritual abuse and religious trauma can create deep wounds. This can occur when religious teachings or leaders exert control through fear, guilt, or manipulation. Experiences may include:
• High-control religious environments – Feeling pressured to conform under fear of punishment or rejection.
• Spiritual abuse by leaders – Misuse of authority to control, manipulate, or exploit.
• Clergy abuse or betrayal – Harm caused by trusted spiritual figures.
• Faith-related anxiety or scrupulosity – Struggling with religious guilt, fear of divine punishment, or obsessive spiritual concerns.
Religious trauma often leads to emotional dysregulation, where individuals may experience overwhelming guilt, fear, or identity confusion. Schema Therapy and TF-CBT provide structured ways to rebuild emotional regulation, challenge maladaptive schemas related to faith and self-worth, and foster emotional healing.
Medical Trauma & Birth Trauma
Medical procedures, hospital stays, and emergency interventions can sometimes leave lasting emotional effects, leading to medical trauma. This may include:
• Distressing medical experiences – Life-threatening diagnoses, intensive care treatments, or emergency interventions.
• Feeling powerless or unheard – Lack of control in medical decisions or being dismissed by healthcare professionals.
• Surgical trauma or complications – Unexpected complications or difficult recoveries.
• Birth trauma – Emergency C-sections, difficult labor, premature birth, or feeling unsupported during childbirth.
Medical trauma can lead to heightened anxiety, avoidance of medical care, intrusive memories, or difficulty trusting healthcare providers. Emotional dysregulation following medical trauma can result in intense emotional responses, panic attacks, or depressive symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions – Counselling for Trauma and Abuse
What types of trauma and abuse do you provide counselling for?
Counselling is available for people who have experienced a wide range of traumatic or abusive experiences, including childhood trauma, domestic and family violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, workplace bullying, and other distressing events. Whether the trauma happened recently or many years ago, support is available.
I am experiencing nightmares and flashbacks, but my trauma occurred many years ago when I was a child. Is this normal?
Yes. It’s common for trauma from childhood to resurface later in life, sometimes triggered by stress, major life events, or reminders of the past. Nightmares, flashbacks, and overwhelming emotions are normal trauma responses. Counselling can help you understand and manage these experiences in a safe and supportive way.
What types of therapy do you use to treat trauma and abuse?
Schema Therapy is the primary approach offered. It is especially helpful for long-standing patterns that often emerge after childhood trauma or abuse. Schema Therapy helps identify and shift deep-seated beliefs and coping styles that can cause ongoing distress. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is also available and can be effective for processing distressing memories and reducing the emotional intensity of trauma.
I find myself doing fine for a while, and then suddenly I experience a trigger and the nightmares and sleepless nights start again. Why does this happen?
This is a very common experience. Trauma responses can feel unpredictable, but they are often linked to triggers—situations, memories, or even body sensations that remind your nervous system of past danger. When trauma is not fully processed, the memory is stored in a way that keeps it “live,” as if the threat is still happening.
Trauma therapy works by helping the brain integrate these memories into your broader life story, so they are no longer experienced as overwhelming or threatening in the present. Through counselling for trauma and abuse, you can begin to process what happened, reduce the intensity of triggers, and build strategies to respond in ways that support healing and recovery.
What is the difference between trauma and complex trauma?
Trauma usually refers to the effects of a single highly distressing event. Complex trauma describes the impact of repeated or prolonged trauma, often in relationships where a person should have felt safe (such as childhood abuse or domestic violence). Complex trauma can affect a person’s sense of identity, trust, and relationships. Both types of trauma are challenging and can be worked through with counselling.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you can book directly. If you wish to claim Medicare rebates, you will need a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.
How many sessions will I need?
Healing looks different for everyone. Some people benefit from short-term counselling, while others find ongoing sessions more helpful. Together, we’ll work out the approach that best supports your needs.
I have experienced trauma within my faith group. Can counselling help with spiritual abuse?
Yes. Spiritual abuse can be deeply painful, leaving lasting impacts on trust, self-worth, relationships, and even your faith. Counselling for trauma and abuse provides a safe and supportive space to work through these experiences without judgement.
As a psychologist with Christian faith, I understand the unique challenges that can arise when harm happens in a spiritual context, and the confusing thoughts that can follow. Therapy can help you process painful experiences, recognise unhelpful patterns, and rebuild a sense of safety, identity, and hope.
Both Schema Therapy and EMDR are helpful in addressing the effects of spiritual abuse—whether that involves manipulative leadership, misuse of scripture, or experiences of control within a faith community. Support is available whether you want to reconnect with your faith in a healthier way, explore spirituality more broadly, or focus on healing from the harm you’ve experienced.
I wonder if I have PTSD. How do I know?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Common symptoms include:
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Nightmares or flashbacks
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Sudden waves of fear or panic, some experience panic attacks
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Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
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Avoiding reminders of the trauma
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Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
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Intense feelings of guilt, shame, or fear
Support is available if you are wondering whether what you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD, especially if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life. A psychologist can help you work out if this is what you’re experiencing, and support you with appropriate treatment.
Through counselling for trauma and abuse, you can begin to understand your responses, reduce the intensity of symptoms, and work towards regaining a sense of safety, stability, and hope.
