Trauma Therapy

Our practice is known for its work in trauma.

As a clinical counsellor with more than 25 years practice, working with youth and young adults for years prior to this, I have seen much trauma. I trained initially in counselling, primarily in what are known as talk therapies.

We know talk therapy is effective and assists many who experience trauma, however it may not be the complete answer for all. Trauma can disconnect us from our own bodies, from others around us, from the environment we live in, impact our spirituality and our relationships. For many finding the words, let alone being able to articulate them can hinder the healing process.

We have learnt that healing trauma (originated from the Greek meaning a wound) needs a diverse range of healing processes, it is not a one size fits all process.

“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.”

Rachel Naomi Remen

This photo was taken four weeks after fire went through this forest. I (Zoe) worked in these regions during the fires. I recall this somber walk in the Forest, it was a sacred place.

A place to honour with respect, wonder and sadness, a place to grieve, a place to be hopeful of the healing and growth to come.

I remember at the time a sacred moment of connection to the work I do with those with trauma, those I was working with at the time in the fires, as well as those we work with in and through our centre.

In trauma informed work we aim to provide a safe place, a place to honour and grieve trauma and losses, a place to process and work through trauma, a place for healing and hope to come.

Living Life Counselling and Life Therapies Victoria brings together a unique number of disciplines to facilitate reconnection and healing. We offer traditional talk therapy, Expressive therapies, Sandplay therapy and Symbol work, Forest therapy, EMDR, TIR, Creative therapies, wholistic art therapy, Yoga and Yoga therapy.

Trauma Informed Practice

Informed Practice involves creating safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment for the individual, as well as respect for diversity for the client.

At Living Life and Life Therapies we work from the premise that there needs to be a safe environment for healing to take place. Our focus is based on Trauma informed approaches. The trauma model we work from sees healing taking place in three stages.

Stage One

Stabilisation and safety

Establishing physical and emotional safety – this may include learning to regulate the body when it is triggered. Learning to be safe today in the here and now. One way of looking at stage one work, is thinking about living in a burning building. It seems irrelevant to process your trauma when you are not safe and still in ongoing trauma. When living in a burning building you need to be able to ‘get to safe’ before you can think about processing the wounds experienced in the building. This important stage allows safe foundations to be developed, to then address the wounds of the trauma. In addition to talk therapy in this stage, forest therapy, sandplay, yoga, breathe work, and wholistic art therapy, may be used to allow regulation and ways to find safe to then process the wound.

Stage Two

Once there is safety and safe ways to regulate your body, the process of addressing the trauma becomes safer to and appropriate to begin. The intention of this process is to allow you to come to terms with the wounds that have taken place. This is known as processing the trauma, reducing the intensity of the trauma. It is not about removing memories but reducing the heat or intensity of the wound. For some this is talk therapy, but this is the stage alternative disciplines may be used. EMDR, TIR, Sand play, expressive therapies may be part of this process.

Stage Three

Integration, finding a way to move forward. This stage is about consolidating the work undertaken, exploring healthy relationships, addressing fears which may be preventing you living your best life. Exploring and building strength to live well.