Support for
Healing from complex trauma with therapy that holds the whole story.
Specialised, trauma-informed therapy for complex trauma and cPTSD — including EMDR, Schema Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
Key information you should know
- Complex trauma (cPTSD) develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, often in childhood, and affects identity, relationships, and emotion regulation.
- Effective treatment is paced — safety and skill-building come before processing memories.
- Evidence-based approaches include EMDR, Schema Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma-focused CBT.
Signs you might benefit from complex trauma and cptsd support
- Persistent shame, self-blame, or feeling fundamentally 'different' from others
- Difficulty trusting or staying in close relationships
- Strong, fast emotions that feel out of proportion
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or like there are different 'parts' of you
- Numbness, dissociation, or feeling like you're observing yourself
- Chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, or feeling unsafe even when you are safe
- Difficulty knowing who you are outside of trauma and survival
How therapy can help with complex trauma and cptsd
Complex trauma often follows repeated harm or neglect, especially when it began in childhood. Symptoms may include emotional dysregulation, shame, relationship difficulty, dissociation, and distrust.
Phase-based trauma therapy emphasises stabilisation before processing memories. Safety, pacing, and collaboration are central; you remain in control of what is discussed.
Psychologists who support complex trauma and cptsd
13 psychologists with experience in complex trauma and cptsd.
Accepting new clientsBook with BandaiBandai Choi
Clinical Psychologist
Bandai supports individuals across the lifespan with a thoughtful and empathetic approach. He works collaboratively with clients to address complex challenges, tailoring therapy to each person's unique needs.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with CarolineCaroline Gorman
Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Caroline is an experienced psychologist who supports clients across the lifespan to work towards meaningful therapeutic outcomes. With more than 15 years of experience, she brings a thoughtful, non-judgemental approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with BeauDr Beau Gamble
Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Beau is a warm, thoughtful, and experienced psychologist. He brings genuine curiosity to the people he works with, and takes a patient, collaborative approach to therapy.
Works from Succoris Joondalup
Dr Catherine Hart
Founder & Clinical Director
Catherine is a Clinical Psychologist, APS Supervisor of the Year (2024), and co-founder of Succoris Psychology Group. She leads clinical standards across the group and is passionate about supporting psychologists to build sustainable, ethical practices.
Dr Kim Mihaljevic
Clinical Psychologist
Kim offers a compassionate, person-centred approach, supporting individuals to improve their emotional wellbeing and live a meaningful life. She works collaboratively with clients aged 15 and over.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with SusannaDr Susanna Zito
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Susanna Zito offers evidence-based psychological support informed by extensive clinical experience via telehealth. She is an EMDR accredited practitioner and Board Approved Supervisor with a special interest in trauma and humanitarian crisis response.
Telehealth
Accepting new clientsBook with WarwickDr Warwick Hosking
Clinical Psychologist
Warwick has several years' experience working with adolescents and adults in a range of settings. He takes a client-centred, empathic and compassionate approach to building rapport and trust with his clients.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Grace Crowley
Clinical Psychologist & Assessment Liaison
Gracie is a clinically endorsed and AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist. She works with clients across the lifespan (ages 8 and above) with a strong passion for supporting people who have experienced complex trauma.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Accepting new clientsBook with JenJen Bullers
Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer prioritises warm, empathetic, and collaborative therapeutic relationships. She works with adolescents and adults, taking the time to understand each individual's experiences and tailor support to their needs.
Telehealth
Kristy Ward
Psychologist & Director
Kristy is a warm, highly experienced psychologist who brings nearly two decades of clinical practice to helping people feel understood, supported and confident as they work towards meaningful change.
2 clinics
Nikita Kettlewell
Clinical Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Nikita works collaboratively with clients to identify goals and strategies for each individual, using a warm, empathic and non-judgemental approach. She has a background in individual and group therapy.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Sophie Lord
Clinical Psychologist
Sophie provides warm, thoughtful therapy for children, adolescents and adults via telehealth. She is culturally aware, inclusive, and brings genuine curiosity to each person's story.
2 clinics
Accepting new clientsBook with SumairaSumaira Yousaf
Psychologist
Sumaira Yousaf is a registered General Psychologist with extensive international clinical experience across Australia and the UAE. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a warm, strengths-focused approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Common questions about complex trauma and cPTSD
What is complex trauma, and how is it different from PTSD?
Complex trauma usually develops from repeated or prolonged experiences, often in childhood or within relationships, rather than a single event. Alongside the symptoms seen in PTSD, complex PTSD (cPTSD) often affects identity, self-worth, emotional regulation, and relationships. It makes sense that experiences like this leave a deep mark. With the right, paced support, people can and do recover a stronger sense of safety and self over time.
How do I know if I might have complex trauma?
You might notice long-standing difficulties with emotional regulation, a harsh inner critic, unstable or fearful relationships, feeling disconnected from yourself, and persistent shame, alongside more familiar trauma responses. These patterns often trace back to early or repeated experiences. A psychologist experienced in trauma can help you make sense of them, without any pressure to share more than you are ready to.
What treatment helps with complex trauma?
Effective treatment is phased and unhurried. It usually starts with safety, stabilisation, and skills for managing strong emotions, often including mindfulness and grounding, before any memory processing. Approaches such as schema therapy, EMDR, and trauma-focused work are commonly used and adapted to your needs. Because complex trauma affects trust and relationships, the therapeutic relationship itself is an important part of recovery. Progress is steady rather than quick, and that is normal.
How long does therapy for complex trauma take?
There is no fixed timeline, and complex trauma generally benefits from longer-term support than single-incident trauma. Your psychologist will regularly review progress with you and adjust the plan, and you stay in control of the pace throughout. You do not need a referral to book, and a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan may provide Medicare rebates on individual sessions each calendar year.
What are the signs of childhood trauma in adults?
Early experiences can shape adult life in ways that are not always obvious. Common signs include difficulty trusting others, a harsh inner critic, intense or hard-to-manage emotions, patterns of unstable relationships, people-pleasing, and a persistent sense of shame or feeling not good enough. Physical tension, anxiety, and difficulty feeling safe are also common. These are understandable responses to what happened, and they can be worked through with support.
Prefer to reach out directly? We're happy to help.