Trauma is often misunderstood as just a “bad memory,” but in reality, it is a physiological and psychological response to an event that overwhelmed your ability to cope. It is less about what happened to you and more about what happened inside you as a result. Years later, your brain might still be acting as if the danger is present, keeping you in a state of hyper-vigilance or emotional numbness even when you are technically safe.

We often categorize these experiences as “Big T” and “little t” traumas. “Big T” traumas are the major, life-threatening events most people associate with the word, such as natural disasters, physical assault, or combat. “little t” traumas are more subtle but equally significant, involving events that exceed your capacity to cope, like emotional neglect, bullying, or a high-conflict divorce. It’s important to remember that your nervous system doesn’t check a “severity chart” before it reacts; a “little t” trauma that happens repeatedly can have a cumulative impact just as profound as a single “Big T” event.

When these responses don’t fade over time, they often manifest as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This occurs when your brain’s “alarm system” stays stuck in the “on” position, leaving you feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or trapped in intrusive flashbacks and nightmares. Beyond the physical tension, trauma often reshapes your entire inner world. You might struggle with a deep, persistent sense of being “broken,” “worthless,” or a failure, as if you are fundamentally flawed or different from everyone else. It can become exhausting to manage intense emotions that feel like they come out of nowhere, leading to a cycle of feeling perpetually overwhelmed or completely shut down. This often creates a barrier between you and the people in your life, making it difficult to feel close to others or to believe that you are truly safe in relationships. These aren’t signs of character flaws, they are signs that your brain is trying very hard to protect you, it just hasn’t realized yet that the danger has passed.

Trauma also often hides behind other symptoms, such as chronic anxiety, depression, or “people-pleasing” behaviors used as a survival mechanism. We will work to identify the root causes, and work at a pace that respects you. You don’t have to “just get over it”, we will work together to help you move through it in an effective and safe way.

Healing from trauma isn’t about “getting over” the past or deleting the memories. It’s about retraining your brain and nervous system to recognize the difference between a past threat and your present reality. By addressing the way trauma lives in your body and your thoughts, you can move from a state of constant survival back into a state of living.

Who I Support

My practice provides a trauma-informed space for individuals across the entire lifespan. I work with children and adolescents who have experienced developmental or acute trauma, as well as adults navigating the long-term effects of childhood experiences or recent traumatic events.

I work with all forms of trauma, including exposure to violence, near death experiences, motor vehicle accidents, witnessing overwhelming incidents, sexual trauma, medical trauma – as well as the ‘quieter’ but deeply impactful traumas that comes from emotional abandonment, high-conflict family dynamics, and unsafe relationships. I recognize that whether a trauma is a one-time occurrence or a repeated pattern, its impact on your nervous system is what truly matters.

Location

I offer both online and in-person psychology sessions, conveniently located for those in North Brisbane.