You Deserve to Feel Safe
Domestic violence and trauma can affect every part of life, your sense of safety, your relationships, your confidence, your ability to trust. I offer a confidential, trauma-informed space to help you process what's happened, rebuild a sense of safety, and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
Signs You May Be Experiencing Trauma
The impact of trauma looks different for everyone, but it often shows up in a few common patterns:
Re-experiencing the event
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Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
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Distressing memories triggered by certain sounds, places, or situations
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Nightmares or disturbed sleep
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Strong physical or emotional reactions to reminders of what happened
Avoidance
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Steering clear of places, people, or situations connected to what happened
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
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Difficulty trusting others or staying close in relationships
Heightened alertness
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Feeling on edge, jumpy, or easily startled
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Irritability or sudden anger
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Trouble sleeping or falling asleep
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Difficulty concentrating or feeling "foggy"
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Constant watchfulness or hypervigilance
Negative changes in mood or thinking
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Persistent negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
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Guilt, shame, self-blame, or hopelessness
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Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
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Difficulty remembering parts of what happened
Physical symptoms
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Unexplained aches, tension, or pain
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Fatigue or feeling constantly tired
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Digestive issues or other stress-related physical symptoms
These signs can be mild or intense, and they can last days or years. This list reflects common patterns associated with trauma, it's not a diagnostic checklist, and only a qualified professional can provide an actual diagnosis. However they're showing up for you, they're valid, and support is available.
About Domestic Violence and Trauma
Domestic violence isn't only physical, it can include emotional, financial, psychological, and coercive control, often building over time in ways that can be hard to name or recognise while you're in it. Trauma can result from a single frightening event, or from prolonged exposure to fear, control, or harm within a relationship or family.
No two people experience trauma the same way. Some notice intense symptoms straight away, others find the effects surface more gradually, sometimes long after the situation itself has ended. There's no "right" timeline for healing, and no requirement to have left an unsafe situation before seeking support.
What Can Trigger a Trauma Response
Certain sounds, situations, or even anniversaries can bring feelings and memories back to the surface unexpectedly. Common triggers include:
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Being in a similar environment to where the harm occurred
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Certain tones of voice, phrases, or arguments
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Anniversaries of significant events
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Feeling controlled, criticised, or unsafe in a new context
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Recognising your own triggers is often one of the first steps toward feeling more in control of your responses, rather than overwhelmed by them.
How Counselling Can Help
Support for domestic violence and trauma is always collaborative, and always paced around what feels safe for you. This can include:
Psychoeducation
Understanding how trauma affects the mind and body, so your reactions make more sense, and feel less frightening.
Trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches
Grounded in safety, choice, and your own pace, never pressure
Practical coping strategies
Tools for managing anxiety, hypervigilance, or overwhelm as they arise day-to-day
Emotional processing
Working through difficult memories and feelings at a pace that feels manageable
Support for related challenges
Trauma can bring up other difficulties too, like anxiety, low mood, or relationship strain, all of which we can work through together
As a registered NSW Victims Services Approved Counsellor, I can also work directly with the Victims Services scheme, alongside collaborating with your GP to ensure your best care, and linking you in with appropriate legal support where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential, with limited legal exceptions (such as risk of serious harm), which I'll always explain clearly and honestly, never as a surprise.
Is telehealth as effective as in-person counselling?
Yes. Many clients find telehealth just as valuable, and it can offer more flexibility and privacy depending on your circumstances.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can self-refer at any time. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may also be eligible for a Medicare rebate. If you're an approved NSW Victims Services client, I'll just need your approval number to get started with therapy.
What if I'm not ready to talk about everything?
That's completely okay. You're always in control of what, and how much, you share, and when.
What if I'm not ready to talk about everything?
That's completely okay. You're always in control of what, and how much, you share, and when.
How will I know if counselling is working?
It's not always immediate, and healing isn't a straight line. Many people notice small shifts first, feeling a bit more settled, sleeping a little better, before bigger changes become clear. We'll check in on how things are feeling for you as we go.
A Note on Urgent Support
Fearless Footsteps is not an emergency or crisis service, and messages sent through this page or by email are not monitored in real time. If you are in crisis or need urgent support, please contact one of the services below, all available 24/7:
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000 (Police/Ambulance), or
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Lifeline on 13 11 14
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Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
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NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
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MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78
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1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
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Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 (free, for ages 5–25)