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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

PenguincatSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 7:33 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer As I read my message back I realised a triangle does in fact fit in a circle... I'm the circle 😄. I hope to see more accessible mental health support options for various types of ND people in my lifetime.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 7:51 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@Penguincat it probably comes down to the size of the triangle 😂. We need to ND accessible options, we also need more ND affirming therapists. Even our workplaces need improvements to accommodate for everyone’s needs. It’s so refreshing when someone pays attention to the small details and needs of ND individuals. Everyone is so diverse and everything needs to be tailored for everyone, even those who are NT

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

SaltwaterSoulSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 9:08 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer

Thank you for explaining it for me, I have learnt something new today. I am sorry to hear all about this, but I'm glad you were able to qualify for it to get extra crucial help. That's true mental health and trauma does affect you in so many different ways..

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

mallory_strifeSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 9:21 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@Penguincat jennette mccurdy being qualified as simply "writer"... nature is truly healing.

@Captain24 rescripting/narrative therapy would probably help me... i was rewatching a very symbolic show i hadn't watched in several years and a combination of gaps in my memory and my depressive episode would have me remember things in the worst and hopeless way possible when they didn't go that way (e.g., "oh, i remember this, the heroine is ill-equipped and is bruised and battered in this battle because she is alone and being put in her place", when she in fact was helped by a friend and the battle was not nearly as one-sided and violent as i remembered it).

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

Captain24Senior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 9:26 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

I found it really helpful @mallory_strife. I had a memory from childhood of some really bad things my mum was saying. My psych made me describe everything I remembered. Then she said that she was standing at the back gate and walked into the yard. She used her magic wand to tell my mum that she shouldn’t be saying house things and then she took me out the back gate and we walked to Nan and pops house. I had to describe what the walk looked like. Such as the roads I crossed, the school across the road, the lady that I knew 2 doors down. I had to make it all familiar. My psych then took me into Nan and pops house and told them what was happening. I had to describe the kind of hug that they would have given me we stepped through it. When I felt safe in Nan and pops arms she quietly left. So now that trauma memory has a caring and warm ending. While it’s not true I actually feel it. I can talk about that memory now without crying.

It was really interesting.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor26 Jan 2026, 9:45 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@SaltwaterSoul I think there is a real need for more mental health funding. I did hear that you can get more therapy sessions through CareinMind for free, but you don’t get an option of choosing your own therapist. I think it’s only available in Melbourne. I prefer being able to choose my therapist and go privately. There is still a gap fee.

It’s interesting to hear how rescripting has been helpful for you both @mallory_strife @Captain24

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

PenguincatSenior Contributor27 Jan 2026, 8:51 am AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@creative_writer the 'one size fits all' mould isn't working anymore and I believe all people are waking up to understanding their needs better - however a serious focus on ND sensory support and therapy options are desperately needed. At the cafe the other day with the music blaring, a family asks the barrister to turn the music down. At my workplace after sun down, we turn on the warm lamps. My friends like to go to a busy restaurant on Saturdays (some NT), but last Saturday we went to a quiet cosy warm-lit one and everyone was so relaxed (until one of the lights started flickering and me and my ND friend were outta there!). Little tweaks in public settings are not difficult to do, and I have observed most NT people also benefit from these changes.

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

creative_writerSenior Contributor27 Jan 2026, 6:05 pm AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

@Penguincat I’m not sure if this a common experience for ND. I tend to feel a lot in my body, I cope by disconnecting. I feel trauma in my body on a regular basis. It’s hard to always verbalise it. My sensory issues make it harder to tolerate body sensations.

I get stressed out easily when out. Music can feel overwhelming during events. My supervisor on placement knew I was on the spectrum without me opening my mouth, as a social worker she encountered many ND in her work. I can spot NDs a mile away too. She used lamps during some of her sessions. I think she also preferred lamps as a NT because they’re so much more relaxing. I also find earplugs can take the edge off when you’re needing to communicate with others

In response to: Different therapy approaches for trauma

Cooked_CookieCasual Contributor31 Jan 2026, 1:22 am AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

I don't really know how to use Sane, I'm very new. I'm also struggling with intrusive memories from psychward experiences. It affects my ability to sleep, which affects every part of life, including getting to work.

In the past I have mentioned it to a psychologist and I was told it doesn't fit the criteria of PTSD but I'm not sure if I explained myself very well.

I'm not sure if it'll be worth more money to try again with a psychologist. I can't recall any treatment options to help rid or lessen these thoughts.

I wonder if anyone has any idea on how to start, as someone in financial hardship.

@admin @anyone

In response to: Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

TunedInModerator31 Jan 2026, 1:41 am AEDT

Re: Different therapy approaches for trauma

Hi @Cooked_Cookie

A warm welcome 👋 and thanks for sharing your experiences with the community!

Sounds like it's been a challenging time coping with the intrusive memories which impacts sleep and consequently other areas of your life, such as being able to get to work. That's no good 🥀

It takes courage 🦁 to share your experiences with the community, and you are being really brave reaching out to your peers 🌿. 

I did want to share this resource on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, which has some information on treatment options, as well as this Webinar on how trauma/stress/anxiety impacts sleep etc and what you can do about it. I hope it helps! 

Take care

TunedIn🌼

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