Help for Trauma & Acute Stress in St Kilda, Melbourne
The word ‘trauma’ is derived from the Greek term for ‘wound’. When we experience frightening or distressing events, this may result in a psychological wound or injury. Meaning, difficulty in coping or functioning normally following this event or experience. Everyone’s reaction is different and we know how to guide you through recovery with patience and compassion.
Situations and events that can lead a person to experience psychological trauma include:
- Acts of violence such as an armed robbery, war or terrorism
- Natural disasters such as bushfire, earthquake or floods
- Interpersonal violence such as rape, child abuse, or suicide of a family member or friend
- Involvement in a serious motor vehicle or workplace accident
- Other less severe but still stressful situations can also trigger traumatic reactions in some people.
You should seek professional assistance if the symptoms resulting from the trauma are too distressing or last for more than a couple of weeks.
Warning signs may include:
- Being unable to handle the intense feelings or physical sensations
- Feeling numb and empty
- Continuing to experience strong distressing emotions
- Continuing to have physical symptoms of being tense, agitated, and on edge
- Continuing to have disturbed sleep and/ or nightmares
- Having no-one to support you and with whom you can share your feelings and emotions
- Having relationship problems with friends, family and colleagues
- Increasing your use of alcohol or drugs
Sometime we might find ourselves overwhelm by other events that cause us distress. It might be a relationship breakdown, a job loss, a death in the family. These sudden changes can cause us psychological stress that requires support. Reach out if you feel that a recent change has been overwhelming, we are here to help.
No recovery from trauma is possible without attending to issues of safety, care for the self, reparative connections to other human beings, and a renewed faith in the universe.” – Janine Fisher.
Below are a few our most frequently asked questions. Take a look and if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
A psychologist is trained with undergraduate and postgraduate studies of psychological science and assessment. Psychologists treat those that range from those who suffer serious mental illness to those needing support in understanding their relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional specialised training in mental health. They are able to prescribe medication and work well with GP’s and psychologists.
Have you ever been to a GP and thought you might be suited to another doctor? It is the same with a psychologist. It is important that in the first session you ask questions and learn about the therapist’s style in order to feel comfortable. You or someone you know may have had a disappointing experience with a psychologist in the past – do not let this be a barrier to reaching your goals, it just wasn’t the right fit. We care about placing you with the right person, with the right intervention and at the right time.
Absolutely not. Psychological therapy is available to every person on planet earth. We are all human and share similar hopes, fears and struggles. No one is immune to the complexity of life and seeking education about your mental health is something to be proud of. Each year we get better at communicating our mental wellbeing, and our communities are benefitting from the results.
As caring and empathetic your concerns may be for a loved one, it is up to them to make change happen. But your insight and access to our resources can be of great benefit. The Contemporary Psychology clinic has a wide variety of information to offer so you can direct them to this website, this way they can see what we’re on about, and they can send an email or give us a call. You are also encouraged to attend and discuss your own fears regarding a loved one if this has been getting you down.
Common themes in therapy – a psychologist’s reflection
Understanding and Managing Microstress: A Path to Greater Well-being
