PTSD Psychologists In Melbourne — Get Counselling Now
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Individuals with PTSD often struggle with intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; feel sadness, fear, or anger; and feel detached or estranged from other people. Symptoms of PTSD can include:
- Re-experiencing the trauma: This involves reliving the traumatic event through intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. These experiences can be so vivid that individuals feel they are re-living the trauma.
- Avoidance: Individuals may avoid places, activities, or people that remind them of the traumatic experience. This avoidance can disrupt daily routines and personal relationships.
- Negative changes in thinking and mood: Feelings of hopelessness, memory problems, trouble in maintaining close relationships, and diminished interest in activities that were once enjoyable are common.
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions: This includes being easily startled or frightened, always being on guard for danger, self-destructive behaviour, trouble sleeping, and having trouble concentrating.
PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time and can be triggered by reminders of the traumatic event, such as anniversaries of the event or news reports.
How do our psychologists treat PTSD?
At Cova Psychology, our approach to treating and providing counselling for PTSD is multifaceted, involving a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to each individual’s experiences and symptoms. These therapies include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): This therapy helps in identifying and changing disturbing thought patterns that are influencing behaviour and emotions. It involves techniques to cope with feelings of fear and anxiety and addresses negative thinking patterns.
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR therapy helps process distressing memories and thoughts related to the trauma. It involves the therapist guiding the patient in a series of eye movements while recalling the traumatic event, thereby reducing its emotional impact.
- Mindfulness-based interventions: These interventions focus on helping individuals remain present in the moment, which can reduce the occurrence of reliving the trauma and alleviate stress.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT encourages individuals to accept their experiences and commit to making necessary changes in their behaviour, regardless of what is happening in their internal experiences.
- Compassion-based and attachment-based therapies: These therapies focus on developing self-compassion and understanding past relationships and their impact on current behaviour and emotions.
Our experienced therapists will work with you to determine the most effective treatment plan, which may involve one or more of these therapies, based on your personal experiences and needs.
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Our caring Melbourne psychologists can help with PTSD
If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of PTSD, the psychologists at Cova Psychology are here to provide support. We offer a compassionate and confidential environment to help you navigate the challenges of PTSD. Connect with us:
We provide both face-to-face and telehealth sessions, making our services accessible regardless of your location. Our goal at Cova Psychology is to guide you towards recovery and resilience, helping you heal from the impacts of traumatic experiences.
