PTSD

Understanding your PTSD response

Most people with PTSD think something is wrong with them. We start by explaining what's happening, how trauma memories are stored differently, why triggers work the way they do, and why the symptoms make complete biological sense.

In practice: Drawing a timeline of your trauma response together, from the event to your current symptoms, so you can see exactly why your brain and body are reacting the way they are.

Grounding and safety skills

Before processing anything, we build your toolkit: grounding techniques that bring you back to the present when triggers hit, and practice that teaches your nervous system the here and now is safe.

In practice: Practising three grounding techniques together and identifying which one brings your nervous system down fastest, so it's ready when a flashback starts.

Trauma memory processing

Using Psychodynamic and ACT approaches, we help your brain reprocess the traumatic memory, so it gets stored as a past memory. This reduces its power over you.

In practice: Working through a specific trauma memory using structured narrative, at a pace you control, with grounding breaks built in throughout.

Working with hypervigilance

When your threat detection system is always on, it's exhausting. We work on recalibrating your nervous system so it can tell the difference between real danger and old fear.

In practice: Mapping your known triggers, what they are, what they activate, and building a step-by-step response plan for each one.

Reducing avoidance

Avoidance feels safer in the short term and shrinks your life over time. We work on gradually expanding what you can do and where you can go.

In practice: Listing the places and activities you have stopped doing, ranking them from least to most difficult, and planning a first small step with a grounding skill ready.

PTSD and neurodivergence

For autistic and ADHD people, PTSD can present differently, with sensory triggers, masking-related trauma and RSD. We work with the full picture of how it shows up for you.

In practice: Sorting your triggers into sensory, masking-related and rejection-related groups, then making a response plan that accounts for your sensory profile and how you communicate.

What it costs

PTSD counselling follows the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. What you pay depends on session type and whether it's a weekday, evening, or weekend.

You can also access this support privately, or through other schemes, if NDIS funding doesn't apply. Cost is always confirmed in writing before anything starts.

Am I eligible?

This kind of support usually sits under NDIS Capacity Building, typically Improved Daily Living, and Improved Relationships where that fits your goals.

You don't need a confirmed PTSD diagnosis to reach out. A support coordinator or plan manager can help check your plan, and private or self-funded sessions are available too.

Where we work

We're based in Thomastown and work across Greater Melbourne's northern, western, and eastern suburbs, with sessions also available online. Some supports extend into regional Victoria.

How to start

Reach out by phone, our contact form, or email. The first conversation is about what you're looking for, and you don't have to share what happened until you're ready.

From there, we match you with a practitioner who suits you, with a first session usually booked within a few business days.