When the past keeps shaping the present

Someone who grew up having to read other people's moods often carries that habit into adult life. They keep the peace and take responsibility for things that weren't theirs. When there's a disagreement they go quiet or feel frightened. Knowing what they need can be hard, and so can trusting someone who's being kind.

Those patterns helped once. Years later they can still shape how you handle conflict and closeness. These experiences have many causes, and having them doesn't mean you have complex PTSD.

What complex PTSD is

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is a recognised diagnosis in the World Health Organization's ICD-11. It includes core features of PTSD, such as reliving what happened and a lasting sense of threat, along with trouble managing strong emotions and ongoing difficulty with how a person sees themselves and relates to others. It's often linked to repeated or prolonged trauma where escape was hard.

Not everyone who lived through childhood adversity or an abusive relationship develops it. If you're wondering whether it applies to you, a GP can refer you for an assessment. I can't give one.

Why work with the body

Someone who grew up around unpredictable anger may tense up when their partner shows frustration, even when the moment is safe. They know their partner isn't the person who hurt them, and still feel the pull to withdraw or appease.

In Somatic Experiencing we notice those responses as they happen and explore them at a pace you can manage. I'm curious about what a reaction is doing for you and what helps you stay present, and I don't push it to change.

Bringing Somatic Experiencing and IFS together

Different parts of you may have found different ways to cope. One works very hard to avoid criticism, and another resents always putting other people first. Thinking about changing any of it can make both anxious.

IFS lets us understand the parts that protect you without treating them as personal failings, and Somatic Experiencing adds attention to what your body does when they switch on. My IFS work is informed by Level 1 training, and I don't describe myself as an IFS Institute Certified Therapist.

What sessions are like

We start with what's happening in your life now. We might look at how your body responds to criticism, or to getting close to someone. There's no requirement to revisit childhood memories before you're ready, and we check what feels manageable as we go.

The first session is 90 minutes, and later sessions are 60 or 90. If you have a diagnosis of complex PTSD, this work can run alongside care from your treating psychologist or psychiatrist, and with your consent I'm happy to coordinate.

What the research says

Somatic Experiencing has an emerging evidence base. It isn't among the first-line trauma-focused treatments recommended in the Australian guidelines for PTSD and complex PTSD, and I wouldn't present it as a substitute. If you have a diagnosis, proper clinical treatment matters.

Questions people ask

Is complex PTSD different from PTSD? Yes. It includes PTSD symptoms plus lasting trouble managing emotions and with how you see yourself and relate to others. A qualified clinician can assess which fits.

Do I need a diagnosis to work with you? No. Many people come for long-standing stress responses and relationship patterns without one.

Can I see you alongside my psychologist? Yes, and many people do.

What does it cost? Fees are on a sliding scale, currently $140 to $220 per session. Sessions aren't Medicare rebatable, and no referral is needed.

Start with a free call

You can begin with what's happening in your life today. You don't need a full account of your past. Use the free 45-minute call to ask questions and see whether working together makes sense.

If you're in crisis, call Triple Zero (000) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

A note on what I do

I provide somatic practice and IFS-informed support. I'm not a registered psychologist or psychiatrist, and I don't provide diagnostic assessment or replace specialist treatment.