Trauma Counselling
Trauma Counselling can help you heal from traumatic experiences and rebuild a sense of self, safety, and control. At the Energetics Institute in Perth WA, our psychology services focus on trauma recovery for adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families across a range of ages and life events. Trauma or PTSD can affect every part of your daily life, including your relationships with loved ones, colleagues, and the wider community. We offer trauma therapy using Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR Therapy, breathwork, and bodywork to release trauma stored in your nervous system. These evidence-based methods help reduce trauma symptoms and support your overall mental health and wellbeing.
Trauma Counselling Perth
Trauma Counselling can help you heal from overwhelming experiences and rebuild a sense of safety, control, and self. At the Energetics Institute in Perth, WA, our experienced counsellors support adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families through trauma recovery.
Our practitioners are certified psychotherapists with over 20 years of combined clinical experience. Each counsellor is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), ensuring the highest professional and ethical standards.
We draw on evidence-based approaches such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), breathwork, and somatic bodywork to release trauma stored in the nervous system. These methods are supported by research from trauma experts including Bessel van der Kolk, Pat Ogden, and Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory).
Trauma Effects on the Brain
In Australia, approximately 75% of adults report exposure to trauma (AIHW). Trauma is not only about what happened to you, but how your brain and nervous system responded. When the body perceives threat, the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) initiates survival responses such as fight, flight, or freeze. If these responses become stuck or unresolved, they can lead to long-lasting impacts on both physical and emotional health.
Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable, as traumatic experiences can disrupt normal brain development and attachment. At Energetics Institute, our Perth-based team is trained in approaches that reset the trauma response, regulate the nervous system, and restore emotional balance.
Symptoms of PTSD
If you or your loved ones are struggling with PTSD, our trauma counselling services in Perth WA can help you manage symptoms such as:
- Flashbacks or distressing memories
- Emotional disconnection or dissociation
- Anxiety, depression, irritability, or chronic stress
- Numbness and avoidance behaviours
- Disrupted sleep or constant fatigue
- Physical tension, pain, or body numbness
- Hypervigilance, anger, or fear responses
- Difficulty in relationships or social settings
- Problems concentrating or completing tasks
- Changes in mood, self-esteem, and wellbeing
Trauma Counselling Session Breakdown
An overview of a typical session structure
30-40 Minutes: Therapy Activities
Engage in techniques like breathwork, EMDR, and bodywork to process trauma.
10 Minutes: Wrap-Up
Summarize key takeaways and plan for the next session.
How Can Trauma Therapy Help You
Trauma therapy at our Perth clinic aims to reduce emotional distress, promote resilience, and support recovery for individuals, couples, and families. Our psychotherapists develop tailored treatment plans based on your needs, life events, and background.
With our trauma-informed approach, we recognize the impact of traumatic experiences on the body and mind, ensuring therapy is delivered with safety and sensitivity. We utilize both top-down and bottom-up methods to create lasting healing:
- “Top-down” approaches focus on psychological and cognitive function, helping individuals remedy distorted thinking, develop emotional sensitivity and resilience.
- “Bottom-up” approaches use the body and feelings, using techniques like somatic psychotherapy, breathwork, and movement to release stored trauma.
With a focus on neurobiology and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), we help reset survival responses and re-establish emotional regulation. This trauma therapy process helps restore confidence, build inner resources, and strengthen relationships and self-understanding.
Our Therapy Approaches
We use a range of evidence-based modalities that focus on the mind-body connection and psychological wellbeing:
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Merges somatic awareness with emotional healing.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing): Targets distressing memories to reduce their emotional charge.
- CBT: Support cognitive restructuring and address long-held beliefs and relationship issues.
- Mindfulness: Reduces stress, helps emotional regulation, and enhances resilience.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Helps reduce avoidance and fear through gradual reprocessing.
Trauma Therapy Techniques
Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Effective Treatment for PTSD in Perth
Our approach combines body-based methods with psychological support for adults, adolescents, and children. We treat trauma symptoms holistically, considering the impact of abuse, neglect, violence, emotional abandonment, grief, relationship breakdowns, and developmental trauma. At our Perth WA clinic, we also offer support for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, shame, or guilt. Our services are inclusive of people from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Our Trauma Counsellors
Our trauma counsellors are highly qualified professionals with decades of experience supporting clients through PTSD, complex trauma, and emotional distress. Each therapist is a certified psychotherapist and a member of professional bodies,
Richard Boyd
Director and Senior Psychotherapist
Richard is a certified psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in Perth. He specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), trauma counselling, and somatic psychotherapy. Richard integrates evidence-based approaches such as CBT, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and EMDR to help clients challenge negative thinking patterns, regulate emotions, and restore long-term resilience.
Helena Boyd
Senior Psychotherapist and Counsellor
Helena is a certified psychotherapist with extensive experience providing CBT and other counselling modalities for individuals and families. She specialises in anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, drawing on CBT and mindfulness-based approaches to support clients in developing healthier coping strategies and improving overall wellbeing.
Our Team’s Focus
Our team works with adults, adolescents, and children facing issues such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and workplace stress. We provide a supportive, evidence-based environment where clients can safely explore unhelpful thoughts and behaviours while building practical tools for resilience. Sessions are available in-person at our West Leederville clinic or via secure online counselling across Australia, ensuring flexible access to care.
Our Reviews
FAQs About Trauma Counselling
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