PTSD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions — and one of the most treatable. Whether you experienced a single traumatic event or years of ongoing trauma, our registered PTSD psychologists in Melbourne offer evidence-based treatment across four clinic locations and via Telehealth (Online).
You do not need to keep reliving what happened. Recovery is possible.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is not a sign of weakness — it is a natural psychological response to events that overwhelm the nervous system’s capacity to cope.
PTSD can develop after a single traumatic event (such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster) or after prolonged or repeated trauma — known as Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). The main presentations include:
PTSD symptoms are organised into four clusters. You don’t need all of them to have PTSD — presentations vary significantly from person to person:
Intrusive symptoms:
Avoidance:
Negative changes in thinking and mood:
Hyperarousal and reactivity:
If you have been experiencing several of these for more than a month following a traumatic event, it is worth speaking with a registered psychologist. You are not alone — and effective help is available.
PTSD affects approximately 12% of Australians at some point in their lifetime — around 2.5 million people.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023)
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop PTSD following trauma exposure. The ABS National Study found that anxiety disorders — of which PTSD is one — affect 21.7% of women aged 16–85 compared with 12.4% of men in any 12-month period (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).
First responders, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood abuse, and serious accidents are among the groups most commonly affected. However, PTSD can develop in anyone following a traumatic event — regardless of strength, resilience, or prior mental health history.
Only around half of people who experience PTSD seek professional help, and many wait years before doing so. Evidence consistently shows that earlier treatment leads to faster and more complete recovery (Lewis et al., 2020; Watkins et al., 2018).
PTSD is maintained by a self-perpetuating cycle. Avoidance of trauma reminders provides short-term relief — but prevents the brain from processing the traumatic memory. Over time, the nervous system remains on high alert, the world feels perpetually unsafe, and the trauma becomes increasingly entrenched.
This is why willpower and “just moving on” are rarely sufficient. Effective treatment works by helping the brain safely process the traumatic memory and update the threat response. This involves:
Network meta-analyses confirm that evidence-based trauma-focused therapies — particularly EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT — produce lasting recovery for the majority of people with PTSD (Mavranezouli et al., 2020; Phoenix Australia, 2021).
Effective PTSD treatment requires more than talking about what happened. Our psychologists use therapies with the strongest evidence base for trauma recovery, consistent with international clinical guidelines (Bisson et al., 2019; Phoenix Australia, 2021):
Recommended as a first-line PTSD treatment in Australian and international guidelines (de Jongh et al., 2019; Phoenix Australia, 2021). EMDR uses bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements — while you briefly attend to traumatic memories, allowing the brain to reprocess them so they no longer trigger a distress response. EMDR does not require you to describe the trauma in detail.
Combines cognitive therapy (changing unhelpful thinking patterns about the trauma) with behavioural techniques (gradually reducing avoidance) and structured processing of traumatic memories. Network meta-analysis ranks TF-CBT among the most effective treatments for both single-incident and complex presentations (Mavranezouli et al., 2020; Watkins et al., 2018).
Specifically targets “stuck points” — the beliefs and interpretations that developed as a result of the trauma, such as “It was my fault” or “I can’t trust anyone.” Particularly effective for trauma involving guilt, shame, or distorted beliefs about safety and self-worth (Lewis et al., 2020).
For complex presentations, or where PTSD occurs alongside depression, anxiety, or personality difficulties, our psychologists may use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Schema Therapy within a trauma-informed framework. These approaches address the deeper patterns that maintain distress after prolonged trauma (Cloitre et al., 2019).
Your psychologist will recommend the most appropriate approach — or combination of approaches — based on your specific trauma history, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Your first appointment is a 50-minute assessment session. There is no pressure to go into detail about the trauma on the first visit — it is simply a chance to understand your history, identify your current symptoms, and explore what treatment might look like for you.
Treatment is delivered in phases. Before any trauma processing begins, your psychologist will work with you to build safety, stabilisation, and coping skills. You will never be pushed to go faster than feels right.
For single-incident PTSD, significant improvement is typically achieved within 8–16 sessions (Watkins et al., 2018). Complex PTSD and childhood trauma generally benefit from longer-term work — your psychologist will discuss realistic expectations with you and review progress regularly.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
How do I know if I have PTSD?
Only a registered psychologist or psychiatrist can formally diagnose PTSD. However, if you have experienced a traumatic event and have been struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, or emotional numbing for more than a month, it is worth speaking with a professional. Our psychologists can complete a thorough assessment in your first appointment.
Do I need a referral to see a PTSD psychologist?
No referral is required to book a private appointment. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP is only needed to access Medicare rebates. Private fee-paying clients can book directly — sessions available from $50 this week.
How long does PTSD treatment take?
For single-incident PTSD, significant improvement is typically seen within 8–16 sessions. Complex PTSD and childhood trauma generally require longer treatment — often 20–40 sessions. Your psychologist will discuss expected timelines with you after the initial assessment.
Is EMDR covered by Medicare?
Yes. EMDR delivered by an AHPRA-registered psychologist is a Medicare-rebatable service when you have a current Mental Health Care Plan. Bulk billing is available for eligible clients.
Can I access PTSD treatment via Telehealth?
Yes. All of our evidence-based PTSD therapies — including EMDR — can be delivered effectively via secure video telehealth. Research shows telehealth PTSD treatment produces outcomes equivalent to in-person therapy. Medicare bulk billing applies to telehealth sessions.
What is the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?
PTSD typically develops after a single traumatic event. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) is a separate ICD-11 diagnosis that develops from prolonged or repeated trauma — such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, or captivity. C-PTSD includes all PTSD symptoms plus additional difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships (Cloitre et al., 2019). Both are treatable, though Complex PTSD generally benefits from a phased treatment approach over a longer timeframe.
You do not have to keep living with the weight of what happened. Our team is here to help — in a way that feels safe, at a pace that works for you.
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Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). National study of mental health and wellbeing, 2020–2022. Australian Bureau of Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release
Bisson, J. I., Berliner, L., Cloitre, M., Forbes, D., Jensen, T. K., Lewis, C., Monson, C. M., Olff, M., Pilling, S., Riggs, D. S., Roberts, N. P., & Shapiro, F. (2019). The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies new guidelines for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Methodology and development process. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 32(4), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22421
Cloitre, M., Hyland, P., Bisson, J. I., Brewin, C. R., Roberts, N. P., Karatzias, T., & Shevlin, M. (2019). ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: A population-based study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 32(6), 833–842. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22454
de Jongh, A., Amann, B. L., Hofmann, A., Farrell, D., & Lee, C. W. (2019). The status of EMDR therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder 30 years after its introduction. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.261
Lewis, C., Roberts, N. P., Andrew, M., Starling, E., & Bisson, J. I. (2020). Psychological therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), Article 1729633. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1729633
Mavranezouli, I., Megnin-Viggars, O., Daly, C., Dias, S., Welton, N. J., Stockton, S., Bhutani, G., Grey, N., Leach, J., Greenberg, N., Katona, C., El-Leithy, S., & Pilling, S. (2020). Psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: A network meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 50(4), 542–555. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720000070
Phoenix Australia. (2021). Australian guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD. Phoenix Australia — Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health. https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/australian-guidelines-for-ptsd/
Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating PTSD: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, Article 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258
