Trauma Support Providers

I became attracted to psychotherapy (literally ""healing of the soul"") because of my personal experience of its potential to transform one's life. I spent over 10 years training in different psychotherapeutic approaches and I continue engaging in professional development, personal work and clinical supervision on an on-going basis.
I'm passionate about helping people to reduce psychological suffering and to implement change. My particular expertise is treatment of psychological trauma: I have an extensive experience in the field (14 years of work as a sexual assault counsellor) as well as a specialist training - I'm a graduate of the Conversational Model training program (a three-year training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy) at the Australia New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy (ANZAP). The Conversational Model pioneered by Professor Russell Meares is a proven model of treatment of developmental and complex trauma.
My professional experience has convinced me that careful tending to people in a therapeutic environment and on-going commitment to their well-being enables people not just to recover from traumatic experience but to live up to their full human potential.
I'm committed to providing a safe and respectful therapeutic environment where I can join with you in making sense of your experiences and working out your personal answers to life difficulties.
Your journey of healing may feel rewarding at some times and challenging at other. Whatever it is, you can rely on me walking alongside you every step of the way. A therapeutic process, when allowed to unfold at a pace that is unique for each person, has a potential to transform painful experiences into a sense of a full, rich life with deepened capacities for awareness, self-reflection, emotional regulation and responsible action.
Choosing a therapist may fee like a daunting task and a personal fit is very important. Therefore, I suggest that we meet for three initial sessions before you decide if I'm the right therapist for you. This will also allow me to form a tentative understanding of your challenges that I will share with you and so to be in a position to let you know if I can be of assistance to you.
If you choose me as your therapist, we will make an agreement about frequency and time for our meetings as well as your fees.
I look forward to contact with you. Please rest assured that you and all your concerns will be taken seriously.

Emil Barna is a psychotherapist, author, podcaster, and founder of Barna Counselling & Consulting and Barna Books. He holds an undergraduate in Psychology (Philosophy minor), Graduate Diploma in Counselling, and Master in Counselling & Psychotherapy. Emil specialises in the treatment of traumatic stress, stressor- and anxiety-related disorders, substance abuse and behavioural addictions. He adopts evidence-based approaches that capitalise on confidence- and self-awareness-building, utilising dual awareness therapies, psychodynamic approaches, somatic psychotherapies, cognitive-behavioural approaches, neuropsychotherapy, and motivational interviewing, to list a few.

Clinical Psychologist with close to 20 years of therapeutic experience. I am originally from South Africa.
In my work I enjoy the fulfillment of helping people to get back to living their best lives through providing high quality clinical psychology services.
My experience in the industry is extensive and I have worked across such settings as general psychology, the military, aviation medicine, and employee wellness.
I have worked in both hospitals and private practices and have run my own private practice in the past, and thoroughly enjoyed my work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a psychiatric hospital.
Over the years I have worked extensively with adults and adolescents presenting with depression, bi-polar mood disorder, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, work-related stress, and relationship problems in a variety of contexts. In my different jobs I have also worked extensively with people who have suffered trauma.

Amanda has completed Bachelor of Social Work; Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology; Masters of Narrative Therapy & Community Work. Amanda is a past President of the Australian Association of Social Workers - North Queensland Branch and current BMC member.

Amanda Kruger runs her own private practice Achieving Change Counselling in Townsville and also services regional communities of Ingham and Charters Towers. Amanda is a Mental Health accredited Social Worker with extensive experience in the community, public and private sectors.

In addition, Amanda has been a casual tutor at James Cook University where she tutors Social Work students. She has previously worked for a not-for-profit mental health community organisation and Queensland Health mental health services.

I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and I have been working as a private practitioner for 15 years. I have many years of experience of Social Work in various areas of service in both NSW and the ACT. From 1990 -2004 I was the Manager/Senior Social Worker with the newly formed Child at Risk Assessment Unit in the Canberra Hospital which offered treatment and assessment by doctors, psychologists and social workers of children who had experienced abuse, violence and neglect. I am very proud of the Unit which I believe helped to bring change to many children and their families/carers. The experience also vastly increased my understanding of trauma that I have been able to expand and use in my current practice. I have worked with abuse survivors of childhood abuse, including many who have suffered childhood sexual abuse by family members and others, including a number who were abused in institutions. I work from home and believe I offer a comfortable, secure environment. I am client-centered and aim to work with clients to increase their agency and empowerment in their lives.

I have practiced counselling and psychotherapy for nine years after studying psychology and post-graduate psychotherapy. I use a strengths-based and compassion-focused model adapted to suit the needs of each person who honours me with their time and their story. I am a clinical member of PACFA and am endorsed by Victim's Services to provide trauma-informed counselling to victims of violence and other crimes (Approved Counsellor scheme). I am comfortable working with individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships with others, with their bodies and food, and other forms of distress. I lean towards an attachment-based and insight-oriented understanding of people and I know that does not suit everyone. I take the healing journey of my clients seriously but with warmth and gentle humour. I believe in change but do not judge stuckness.

Clinical Psychologist based in Brisbane
Working from trauma informed modalities such as EMDR, sensorimotor psychotherapy and Structural Dissociation

I'm an experienced Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist practicing in Brisbane. I've spent time facilitating children and family group sessions, supporting at risk individuals re-integrating into society, counselling domestic and sexual violence victims, counselling for workplace injury recovery and those receiving counselling support through NDIS.

I regularly work with people from all ages including children (ages 4+), adolescents, families, individuals and couples.

My approach is calm and relaxed and I give you the time and space to work through whatever it is you're experiencing. I let issues and concerns come out as they need to, identify patterns and start working through them methodically with you. I make sure to build on each session and not provide you with just a band-aid for that day but empower and equip you to reach the long term goals you want to achieve.

I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker counselling in private practice since 2011. The majority of the work that I do is with survivors of childhood trauma. I have worked with Victim Services for the past 6 years. Working therapeutically with adults who have been emotionally, physically and sexually abused as children, some have entered into a long term therapeutic relationship, where, from a trauma informed perspective safety, processing and healing trauma enfolds in a collaborative process. I believe that your safety is most important and that healing is possible. I strive to build a space where trust can grow and you have choice available to you each step we take. I do what I do because I have a strong commitment to social justice and solidarity to presence, human connection and the inalienable hope and belief in the human capacity to heal and grow.

I focus on individual work. I work in an office that is close to the city center where your privacy is a priority. There is a large waiting room, a quiet and reflective space, where you can wait in privacy and I endeavor to space appointments reducing the chance of meeting other clients.
There may be a waiting time of no more than two week at most, most appointments are during business hours. For complex trauma counselling can be a long term process at least 20 hours, though it is your choice to exit at any time. Costing is related to income please enquire, referral pathways for funded services available. I ask that you would commit to attending and if unable to attend to give me as much notice as possible.
What if I become overwhelmed? If you become overwhelmed I will stay with you and support you in the way which is best for you. I will allow you to tell your story in at the pace with which you are comfortable and assist you to learn skills in managing hyperarousal and learning to feel safe with your sensory experience. I will work with you to tailor a safe way of managing overwhelm to your needs safety and comfort.
I am motivated to work in the area of Trauma and Survivorship because I understand the impact of trauma and believe in the capacity of people to heal. I am inspired by the courage and potential of Survivors and believe that as a skilled and compassionate companion in the therapeutic journey, this work is meaningful and I contribute to the creation of a better world
I keep up to date with contemporary thinking in the area Trauma and Survivorship by belonging to local trauma informed network, membership of the ISSTD, attendance at local and international Childhood trauma and dissociation conferences and workshops several times a year. Reading a wide range of literature and attending regular clinical supervision.
I know I am doing a good job when survivors tell me how they have implemented new skills and found a new experience of trust and connection, and felt safe and empowered in their daily life.

I have been a psychologist and clinical psychologist for over 40 years. I worked in a Community Health Service for 14 years. I taught counselling skills at university for 13 years. I have been in private practice since 1989. I have been a Victims Services Counsellor for many years. I have attended ongoing training in trauma-informed techniques and have presented workshops myself on trauma treatment to other colleagues. For all of my career I have provided trauma-informed counselling to children, adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma. My private practice is in a quiet street and has a comfortable atmosphere where clients can develop a sense of safety and support. I have two other experienced trauma-informed counsellors who work with me, who can see other family members if required or offer support when I am away if the client requests such support.