Finding Hope and Healing: Your Path to Recovery with a Trauma-Informed Psychologists in Melbourne

At Mind in Mind Psychology, we understand the profound impact trauma can have on an individual's life. Our dedicated team of trauma psychologists are here to guide you through your journey to healing.

Why Choose a Trauma Informed Psychologist?

It is very normal for people who have experienced trauma to have a nervous system that is hyper-sensitive to the detection of threat. This is protective; your nervous system is warning you that something bad happened the last time you were exposed to this threat, and therefore you need to be careful. When our nervous system detects a threat, it triggers a fight-flight response, and we start to experience physical symptoms (rapid heart rate, shortness of breath etc). Sometimes, it detects a higher level of threat and activates the freeze response (when we find it hard to move or respond). Our response is usually to avoid, shut down or sometimes fight. Again, this is all protective. The problem becomes when your nervous system is so hyper-sensitive or hyper-active, that it begins to pick up danger when there is no danger present. It responds to things that are actually safe as though they are unsafe. Sometimes this is in response to something in your environment and sometimes this is in response to an emotion or an interaction with someone (e.g. feeling invalidated).

It is important to seek treatment from a trauma informed psychologist. Here’s why:

Understand trauma symptoms

To reduce the likelihood of someone inadvertently triggering or exacerbating trauma symptoms (e.g. something that causes you to feel a lack of control, trapped, or hopeless, amongst other things).

Recognise cues of danger

To have someone who understands how to recognise and respond to your cues of danger so that you can feel safe in the therapy room; safe enough to engage in therapy and not feel urges to avoid, shutdown or engage in fight responses.

Attention to feelings

To address the difference between what you might know logically and how you actually feel.

Holistic approach

To have someone who understands that healing trauma is not just about changing your thinking, and that some of our traditional therapies may not be helpful.

Balancing validation and change

To have someone validate your coping strategies and understand them (even if they are unhelpful or maladaptive), while also supporting you to change to meet your goals.

Helpful vs unhelpful responses to trauma

To understand that your response to trauma was helpful at some point in your life, but it may not be helpful anymore.

Assist to regulate emotions

To have someone who can pick up on your cues of dysregulation and help you to regulate again in a therapy session.

You remain in control

To make sure you are in control, you are understood and you are heard at all times.

 

FAQs on Trauma-Informed Psychologists in Melbourne

  • A trauma psychologist specialises in understanding the emotional, neurological and physiological impact of traumatic experiences, and understands how trauma affects us differently to other mental health concerns. A trauma psychologist understands the changes that trauma can cause to our thinking, problem-solving skills and our memory; all of which may impact therapy if not adequately addressed. Our psychologists have extensive experience in understanding and treating trauma, and trauma-related symptoms, utilising evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual's needs.

  • Trauma can manifest in various ways and affect people differently. Trauma is not only related to the actual event but also about the body's response to the experience; so two people who experience the same trauma may have very different outcomes. Our trauma informed psychologists understand this, and we integrate Schema Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and EMDR to create a tailored response to your current needs.

 

Take the First Step Towards Healing

At Mind in Mind Psychology, our trauma-informed psychologists understand how trauma can have an impact on all aspects of life. We aim to provide clients with practical, real-life strategies to assist with emotional regulation, while reprocessing unresolved trauma. Our goal is to create long term improvements to your quality of life