Written by Louis Chalouhi, Counsellor (Master’s in Counselling), ACA Level 2 and PACFA member.
Last updated
Trauma can affect sleep, mood, relationships, concentration and how safe your body feels, sometimes many years after the events themselves.
Trauma-focused counselling starts by building stability and coping skills, and we gently explore what happened only if and when you’re ready.
I bring decades of experience in healthcare and mental health care, including crisis support, and a calm, steady approach that respects your boundaries.
Trauma counselling may help if you’re
- Living with memories, flashbacks or nightmares that feel hard to manage
- Feeling on edge, numb or disconnected from yourself or others
- Affected by childhood experiences that still shape your relationships
- Rebuilding after domestic or family violence
- Noticing strong reactions that feel bigger than the moment
Concerns I work with
- Trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- Childhood trauma
- Domestic violence
- Emotional distress
A phased, trauma-informed approach
I use somatic-informed approaches, DBT and Compassion-Focused Therapy to help your nervous system settle and to build skills for difficult emotions.
- Safety and stabilisationWe build grounding and emotion regulation skills, so you have reliable ways to steady yourself.
- Understanding and processingWhen you feel ready, we gently make sense of what happened and how it affects you now.
- ReconnectingWe focus on relationships, meaning and the life you want to build from here.
If you’re experiencing violence now
Your safety comes first.
If you’re in danger, call 000.
For confidential support at any hour, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, and I can help you connect with local services alongside counselling.
In person or online
I see clients in person in Bella Vista, Liverpool and the Inner West, and online by Zoom or phone, anywhere in Australia or overseas.
Appointments run Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 7pm, subject to availability, and the days at each room vary.
You can book directly, with no GP referral needed, and your first step is a free 15-minute call.
Read more about online counselling, or about fees, rebates and booking.
Common questions
Do I have to talk about the details of what happened?
You stay in control of what you share and when.
Much of trauma counselling focuses on skills and safety, and we only explore memories when you feel ready.
Can counselling help with PTSD?
Counselling can be one part of your support for PTSD, alongside your GP and any other treating professionals.
If a specialist trauma treatment would suit you better, I’ll talk it through with you and help you find the right referral.
Can I get support for childhood trauma as an adult?
Yes.
Support is available at any stage of life.
Many adults begin working through childhood experiences years later, at a time that feels right for them.
Support at any hour
Mind Therapy Room offers booked appointments, so for urgent support please use one of these services.
- Emergency000
- 1800RESPECT (domestic, family and sexual violence)1800 737 732
- Lifeline, 24 hours, 7 days13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service1300 659 467