What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma informed therapy Melbourne
Trauma-informed care is an approach to psychological practice grounded in an understanding of how traumatic and distressing experiences affect the brain, the body, and the nervous system. It recognises that symptoms like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and emotional dysregulation can reflect protective responses to past experiences — and that recovery involves helping the mind and body feel truly safe.
At Integrated Psychology, every aspect of Catherine's practice is trauma-informed — from the way sessions are structured to the therapeutic modalities she uses.
How the Nervous System Responds to Threat
Polyvagal Theory, developed by neuroscientist Dr Stephen Porges, helps explain how the body's autonomic nervous system (ANS) continuously scans the environment for signs of safety or danger — a process called neuroception. This happens below the level of conscious awareness.
When the ANS detects threat, structures deep within the brain — including the thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala — work together to activate a protective response. The 'fight or flight' response is the body's emergency system: it bypasses conscious thought so that we can react immediately to protect ourselves.
This system is essential for survival. The challenge arises when it stays activated long after a threatening event has passed. The nervous system can remain on high alert, constantly scanning for danger, even when the actual threat is gone. Over time, this 'activation readiness' drains our internal energy and gives rise to symptoms.
When the Past Lives in the Present
Traumatic memories can be stored in a way that keeps them 'online' — as if the threat is still present. Triggers — sensory experiences, situations, or relationships that resemble the original event — can activate the alarm system and produce responses that feel overwhelming or out of proportion to the current situation.
Symptoms of nervous system dysregulation can include:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, or hypervigilance
- Depression, emotional numbing, or disconnection
- Chronic unexplained pain or physical fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or cognitive fog
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations
- Sleep difficulties and nightmares
How Trauma Heals
We now understand that symptoms can resolve when the mind and body experience a corrective moment of empowerment — an experience that updates the brain's internal security system and communicates that the event is over and the person is safe. When this update is registered, the memory can shift from the 'active threat' system to long-term memory storage. The memory remains, but the distress disappears.
This process is known as memory reconsolidation, and it underpins both TRTP and IFS — two of many contemporary trauma-informed therapies available.
Short-Term Trauma Therapy: TRTP
The Richards Trauma Process (TRTP) is designed to achieve a corrective response quickly and safely — generally across three weeks, without requiring you to retell or relive the specifics of your past experience. Learn more on the TRTP page.
Longer-Term Trauma-Informed Counselling
Longer-term therapy is available for people who want to build ongoing psychological wellbeing, develop confidence, improve relationships, or navigate current life challenges. Catherine uses a range of non and trauma-informed modalities tailored to each client:
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) — Level 1
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Interpersonal Process Therapy
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Frequently Asked Questions — Trauma-Informed Therapy
Q: What does 'trauma-informed' mean?
A: A trauma-informed approach recognises that past experiences, including trauma and chronic stress, can influence a person's emotional wellbeing, relationships and patterns of responding. It emphasises safety, collaboration, and appreciation of how past experiences may continue to affect the present. Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction, trauma-informed therapy also explores the underlying experiences that may contribute to ongoing distress.
Q: Do I have to have experienced a major trauma to benefit?
A: No. Trauma exists on a spectrum. While major single-event trauma (such as accidents or assault) can lead to PTSD, many people are affected by 'small-t' traumas — childhood experiences of feeling invalidated, shut down, unsafe, chronic stress, grief, or other experiences that shaped the nervous system over time. Trauma-informed therapy may be helpful for people who feel that past experiences continue to affect their present wellbeing.
Q: What is polyvagal theory?
A: Polyvagal Theory, developed by neuroscientist Dr Stephen Porges, is a theoretical framework that describes how the autonomic nervous system may influence feelings of safety, connection and responses to stress. It has influenced many contemporary approaches to trauma-informed care.
Q: Is trauma-informed therapy different from trauma therapy?
A: 'Trauma-informed' refers to a philosophy and set of principles shaping how therapy is delivered — emphasising safety, trust, choice, and collaboration. 'Trauma therapy' refers to specific approaches (like TRTP, EMDR, or IFS) that are designed to help people work through the effects of traumatic experiences. Catherine's practice is both trauma-informed in philosophy and offers specific trauma therapies as treatments.
Q: Will I have to talk about what happened to me?
A: Not in detail, and not before you're ready. TRTP does not require you to recount the specifics of past events. IFS works with your present-moment inner experience rather than requiring a detailed retelling. Catherine will always follow your lead.
Q: What is memory reconsolidation?
A: Memory reconsolidation is a neurobiological process that researchers believe allows emotional memories to be updated under certain conditions. Some therapeutic approaches, including IFS and TRTP, are thought to draw on principles consistent with memory reconsolidation. Research into these mechanisms is continuing.
Q: What is the fight, flight, or freeze response?
A: The fight, flight, or freeze response is the body's emergency survival system. When the brain detects threat, the autonomic nervous system activates within milliseconds — flooding the body with adrenaline and preparing it to fight, flee, or freeze. This system is vital for survival, but problems arise when it remains activated after a threat has passed. Trauma-informed therapy helps the nervous system learn that safety is now possible.
Q: How long does trauma therapy take?
A: It depends on the approach and the individual. TRTP is a short-term, intensive process spanning three consecutive weeks (approximately 8–9 hours of therapy). Longer-term approaches like IFS can span months or years, depending on your goals. Trauma-informed therapy aims to help people develop a greater sense of safety and regulation, which may support a more flexible nervous system response over time.