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Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor24 Jan 2026, 5:05 pm AEDT

Different therapy approaches for trauma

I had multiple mental illnesses, one of my diagnoses is cptsd. Right now I’ve been doing more behavioural therapy and my current psych focuses more on exposure therapy. I feel like I haven’t been able to get far, it’s not that it hasn’t helped, but I feel like I need a different approach. I find it super difficult to talk about trauma details, I’ve tried it before and ended up retraumatised. I don’t think exposure therapy is right for me. I’ve tried a few EMDR sessions in the past which helped, I have been contemplating whether I should revisit it. I would need to get referred to another psych for EMDR.

I have also considered art therapy (which is also not a focal point for my current psych). Sometimes I don’t have the words to describe the pain that is stuck within me. I want to heal. I struggle with somatic flashbacks and I’ve had to disconnect from my body in order to feel safe. I don’t always notice the discomfort in my body until much later. I also get lots of intrusive thoughts and memories. I think it’s been feeding my OCD thoughts. I also have bipolar and trauma isn’t helping with stability since so much is suppressed. The bipolar also makes it worse.

I’m open to hear about what others have found helpful and hear about experiences of different therapy modalities.

63 replies

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In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor25 Jan 2026, 2:40 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@tyme I can’t afford moving out right now. I’m sure the time will come when I do move out, it’s just not now. The constant masking at home means if I do ever get married, I’m marrying someone I won’t mask with. I also prefer having friends who I don’t need to mask with. I have one in my real life. I don’t mind less relationships if they’re fulfilling. I also don’t mind my company.

I don’t talk to my siblings in depth about my mental health. They know I have mental illness. My sister knows I have bipolar and I doubt my brother would be surprised if I told him about bipolar. They both know
I’m anxious. Anxiety is a family trait.

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

SaltwaterSoulSenior Contributor25 Jan 2026, 6:20 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer

That’s ok, I think the person who said that to me wasn’t aware of how much I had been through. I think she was just trying to be friendly and encouraging. It really sucks that you can only get 10 Medicare-rebated sessions a year. It’s ridiculous considering how much people are suffering every day. I mean, the rebated sessions are great, but it would make more sense to have at least 20. You can go to a GP and always be rebated for as many visits as you need, but therapy is a different story. The out-of-pocket fees aren’t much fun, but I don’t really have a choice.

I think you should definitely bring in some poetry and give it a try when you are feeling ready. Writing is such a powerful tool. I feel like I can relate to that as well, I find myself a bit awkward talking sometimes, but a lot better at writing things down. I guess that’s why the email function works pretty well for me, It helps me express myself more.. but I’ve started to feel more comfortable with my psychologist as time went on, but I still find it harder to express myself verbally than if I would be writing it down.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 12:23 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@SaltwaterSoul 10 sessions isn’t anything. I’m currently on ED plan so I get more sessions. My ED is heavily influenced by trauma. I don’t think the ED would’ve gotten this bad if I was able to afford more therapy sessions before
I qualified for ED plan.

It can be really
Challenging to talk about the heavy stuff. I also think writing gives you an opportunity to think and reflect.

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

PenguincatSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 12:43 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer I would like to know the answer to this question too as I feel talk therapy has had me opening wounds, not intentionally, but it’s hard to not remember. I heard a writer Jeanette Mccurdy talk about a type of therapy that wasn’t talk based but dealt with the root of the trauma and I’m trying to remember the name. It wasn’t EMDR, but I think it started with the letter E or had an E in it if that helps 😂 If I remember it I’ll let you know

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 3:41 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@Penguincat is it somatic experiencing? I totally get why talking about trauma is overwhelming, I don’t think it’s for everyone. I am also ND, I get overwhelmed very easily. It would be interesting if more research was done on therapy adaptions that need to be made for ND clients

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

ChasingsunsetsSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 4:29 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

Following along @creative_writer 😊, thanks for the tag @AlwaysMyself 🙏

@creative_writer, what have you been thinking about re your first post here, I’m interested if any ideas have popped up of what plan or route you may take? 😊

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

PenguincatSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 4:37 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer I believe it actually could be DBT therapy that she was referring to. Don't know much about it but after googling it, it focuses on dialect over cognition. I understand your overwhelm with ND, and there needs to be more support for ND people. It feels like I'm always trying to fit my triangle brain into round moulds.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 5:18 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@Chasingsunsets I'm undecided. I wanted to ask my current psych about other therapy modalities she uses. I'm also trying to explore different therapies that won't be so trauma talk heavy.

It's been lovely having this space to talk about the different options 🙂

@Penguincat I've hard of DBT, I've never done it myself. I've found the TIPP technique from DBT helpful. It's hard for NDs, the therapy approaches tend to be designed for NTs. I can't get myself to fit in the NT box. What might help some people may backfire for me. Sensory overload can get too much.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

SaltwaterSoulSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 6:48 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer

Would you mind explain for me what a ED-plan is, sorry I don't know what it is, I tried to google it but the only things that came up was Eating Disorder Plan (EDP) but I don't want to assume that, that's the same as ED-plan.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 7:23 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@SaltwaterSoul yes it's the Eating Disorder Plan. I only realised last year I qualified for the plan. I didn't even know I had an eating disorder for so long even though my eating habits have been incredibly disordered for so long. It has taken a physical and mental toil on me, it's been hard to bounce back. I wish they also had more sessions for other complex mental illnesses. I've struggled with mental health and trauma for so long that some of the ways I cope aren't healthy

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