Specialised Support
Complex Trauma Therapy
EMDR specialist · Phase-based treatment · Creswick, Brisbane & Online
Specialised, compassionate support for people living with the effects of repeated or prolonged trauma. Our therapists bring deep expertise in complex trauma recovery, using evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique history and healing journey.
Understanding Complex Trauma
When trauma is more than a single event
Complex trauma occurs when a person experiences repeated, prolonged, or multiple traumatic events, particularly during childhood or within relationships where they felt trapped. Unlike single-incident trauma, such as a car accident or natural disaster, complex trauma reshapes how the brain and nervous system develop, how a person relates to others, and how they understand themselves.
Developmental trauma, the kind that happens during critical periods of childhood, is especially impactful because it occurs while the brain is still forming. Children who grow up in environments marked by abuse, neglect, family violence, or emotional unavailability often develop survival strategies that served them well as children but cause significant difficulties in adult life: hypervigilance, people-pleasing, emotional shutdown, difficulty trusting others, or a persistent sense of shame.
The World Health Organisation now recognises Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) as a distinct diagnosis in the ICD-11. C-PTSD includes the core symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance, alongside additional difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships. This recognition reflects what trauma therapists have long understood: that the effects of prolonged trauma are broader and deeper than a single-event model can capture.
At Bloom, we understand that these responses are not character flaws or weaknesses. They are the brain's intelligent adaptations to impossible circumstances. Therapy is about gently updating those survival strategies so they no longer run your life.
Common signs of complex trauma
- ✓Difficulty managing emotions — intense anger, sadness, or numbness
- ✓Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
- ✓Trouble trusting others or feeling safe in relationships
- ✓Dissociation or feeling disconnected from your body
- ✓Hypervigilance — always scanning for danger
- ✓People-pleasing, fawning, or difficulty setting boundaries
- ✓Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
- ✓Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- ✓Physical symptoms — chronic pain, fatigue, or tension
- ✓Patterns of unhealthy relationships or isolation
- ✓Substance use or other coping behaviours
- ✓A sense that something is fundamentally wrong with you
Our Approach
Phase-based treatment for complex trauma
Complex trauma requires a structured, phased approach to recovery. Rushing into trauma processing before a person feels safe can be destabilising and counterproductive. Our therapists follow the internationally recognised phase-based model, guided by the expertise of our Clinical Director, Jemma Mathers, an EMDRAA Consultant and specialist in complex trauma recovery.
Safety & Stabilisation
The foundation of all complex trauma work. In this phase, we focus on building a safe therapeutic relationship, developing emotional regulation skills, grounding techniques, and resourcing. You will learn to understand your nervous system and develop practical tools for managing overwhelming feelings. This phase takes as long as it needs to — there is no rush. For some people, stabilisation alone brings significant relief.
Trauma Processing (EMDR)
Once you have a solid foundation of safety and coping, we gently begin processing traumatic memories using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). EMDR allows the brain to reprocess stuck memories without requiring you to talk through every detail. For complex trauma, we use adapted protocols including attachment-informed EMDR and careful titration to prevent overwhelm. Each session is carefully paced to your window of tolerance.
Integration & Reconnection
As traumatic material is processed, this phase focuses on integrating new understandings into your daily life. You may find yourself building healthier relationships, discovering parts of your identity that trauma obscured, and reconnecting with a sense of meaning and purpose. This phase is about growing into the life you want, not just recovering from the life you had. Many clients describe this as the most rewarding part of the journey.
What to Expect
Your therapy, at your pace
Your first session is a conversation, not an assessment. Your therapist will want to understand what has brought you to therapy, a little about your history, and what you are hoping for. You will not be asked to share anything you are not ready to discuss. The first few sessions are about building trust, understanding your needs, and collaboratively planning your treatment pathway.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes, though extended 90-minute sessions are available for EMDR processing or when deeper work is needed. Most clients attend weekly during the stabilisation and processing phases, moving to fortnightly or monthly sessions as they progress. The pace is always guided by you, and your therapist will regularly check in about how things are feeling.
We believe strongly in a collaborative approach. You are the expert on your own experience, and your therapist brings clinical expertise in trauma recovery. Together, you will decide which modalities to use, how quickly to move, and what goals to work toward. There is never pressure to share more than feels comfortable, and you can pause or redirect the work at any time.
Between sessions, your therapist may suggest grounding exercises, journalling, or other practices to support your progress, but only if that feels helpful for you. Healing from complex trauma is not linear, and we honour the ups and downs that are a natural part of the journey.
Session details
Standard session
50 minutes, ideal for ongoing therapy and stabilisation work
Extended session
90 minutes, available for EMDR processing and deeper trauma work
Frequency
Typically weekly during active treatment, moving to fortnightly or monthly over time
Format
In person at Creswick or Brisbane, or via secure telehealth anywhere in Australia
Approach
Collaborative and client-led — you set the pace and direction of treatment
Funding
Medicare rebates, NDIS, and private or self-funded sessions available
Who We Help
Specialist support for diverse experiences
Adults with childhood trauma
If you grew up in an environment marked by abuse, neglect, emotional unavailability, or instability, the effects often show up in adult life as relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, chronic shame, or a persistent sense of unsafety. We specialise in helping adults understand and heal from developmental trauma.
Children & young people
Children and adolescents who have experienced trauma need age-appropriate, sensitive support. Our therapists use play-based therapy, creative approaches, and modified EMDR protocols tailored to younger clients. We also work closely with parents and carers to build safety and stability at home.
First responders
Police, paramedics, firefighters, and emergency workers face repeated exposure to traumatic events as part of their work. We understand the unique culture and pressures of first responder roles and provide confidential, evidence-based therapy that addresses cumulative occupational trauma.
Family violence survivors
Experiencing domestic or family violence, whether physical, emotional, financial, or coercive control, creates deep and lasting impacts on sense of self, safety, and relationships. We provide trauma-informed therapy that honours your experience without judgement and supports you in rebuilding a life on your own terms.
Co-occurring presentations
Complex trauma rarely exists in isolation. It commonly co-occurs with anxiety, depression, substance use, disordered eating, chronic pain, and neurodivergence (Autism and ADHD). Our therapists are experienced in working with these intersecting presentations and tailoring treatment accordingly.
Institutional & systemic trauma
Trauma that occurs within systems meant to provide care, such as out-of-home care, religious institutions, the justice system, or healthcare settings, carries a particular weight of betrayal. We offer a safe space to process institutional trauma with therapists who understand the systemic dimensions of your experience.
Our Locations
Access specialist complex trauma therapy near you
FAQ
Common questions about complex trauma therapy
What is the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD?
PTSD typically develops after a single traumatic event, such as a car accident or natural disaster. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), recognised in the ICD-11, develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, often occurring in childhood or within relationships where escape was difficult. C-PTSD includes the core symptoms of PTSD plus difficulties with emotional regulation, self-perception, and relationships.
How long does complex trauma therapy take?
Complex trauma therapy is not a quick fix, and we would never rush it. Treatment length varies significantly depending on your history, goals, and pace. Some people engage in therapy for six months, while others benefit from a year or more. The phase-based model means early sessions focus on safety and stabilisation before any trauma processing begins, so you are never pushed into something you are not ready for.
Do I have to talk about what happened to me in detail?
No. While some therapeutic approaches involve discussing traumatic events, others, like EMDR, process trauma without requiring a detailed verbal account. Your therapist will work with you to find an approach that feels manageable. You are always in control of what you share and when.
What does EMDR involve and is it effective for complex trauma?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. It is recognised as a gold-standard treatment for trauma by the World Health Organisation. For complex trauma, EMDR is adapted with additional stabilisation phases and may be combined with attachment-informed approaches for deeper relational healing.
Can children and young people access complex trauma therapy?
Yes. We work with children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma, including developmental trauma, family violence, and neglect. Our therapists use age-appropriate, play-based, and creative approaches alongside modified EMDR to support younger clients in a way that feels safe and engaging.
Is complex trauma therapy available via telehealth?
Yes. All of our therapists offer secure telehealth sessions, and many modalities, including EMDR, are fully compatible with online delivery. Telehealth means you can access specialist complex trauma therapy from anywhere in Australia, without needing to travel to our Creswick or Brisbane clinics.
What funding options are available for complex trauma therapy?
We accept Medicare rebates (with a GP Mental Health Care Plan), NDIS funding (self-managed and plan-managed), and private or self-funded clients. A GP referral takes about 20 minutes and your doctor can usually arrange it the same week. No diagnosis is required to begin therapy.
How do I know if I have complex trauma?
Common signs include difficulty regulating emotions, persistent feelings of shame or worthlessness, trouble trusting others or maintaining relationships, dissociation or feeling disconnected from yourself, and being easily triggered by situations that remind you of past experiences. If you recognise some of these patterns, a conversation with one of our therapists can help you understand what is happening and what support might help.
Ready to Begin?
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
You don't need to have it all figured out. Complex trauma recovery starts with a single conversation, and we'll walk alongside you from there. Book an appointment or reach out to ask a question, there's no pressure and no judgement.