Find a Mental Health Professional for Complex & Repeated Trauma (CPTSD)

About Complex & Repeated Trauma (CPTSD) support

Complex PTSD (CPTSD) develops from prolonged or repeated trauma rather than a single event. Where PTSD can follow one overwhelming experience, CPTSD often arises from years of ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence or childhood trauma. Because the trauma is sustained rather than sudden, it tends to shape how a person sees themselves, how they relate to others and how safe they feel in the world. People living with CPTSD often describe a persistent sense of shame or worthlessness, difficulty trusting others, emotional dysregulation and a feeling of being fundamentally different from everyone else. Many also experience dissociation, flashbacks or a chronic sense of emptiness. These experiences are not character flaws. They are understandable responses to circumstances that were genuinely overwhelming. CPTSD is recognised in the ICD-11, the diagnostic framework used by the World Health Organization, and Australian clinicians use this diagnosis in practice. A psychologist or psychiatrist can assess whether CPTSD fits your experience and recommend an appropriate treatment pathway. Effective treatments include EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, somatic therapy and schema therapy. Treatment is usually phase-based, beginning with stabilisation and safety before moving into trauma processing. Finding a therapist with specific complex trauma training matters. Many CPTSD-informed practitioners in Australia work with Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan, and some also support NDIS participants.

Support resources

• Blue Knot Foundation

  Australia's peak body for adult survivors of complex and childhood trauma. Offers information, resources and referral guidance for people with CPTSD.

• Phoenix Australia

  The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, which publishes the clinical treatment guidelines Australian therapists follow for PTSD and CPTSD.

Further reading

• Types of Therapy Explained

  A plain-English guide to the main therapy approaches used in Australia, including EMDR, trauma-focused CBT and somatic therapy.

• How to Get a Mental Health Care Plan

  How to access Medicare-rebated therapy sessions through your GP, including what to expect and how many sessions you can access each year.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?

PTSD typically follows a single traumatic event such as an accident, assault or natural disaster. CPTSD develops from repeated or prolonged trauma such as childhood abuse, domestic violence or captivity. CPTSD also tends to involve lasting difficulties with self-worth, relationships and emotional regulation that go beyond the core PTSD symptoms.

Is CPTSD recognised in Australia?

CPTSD is recognised in the ICD-11 adopted by the World Health Organization, and Australian clinicians increasingly diagnose and treat it in practice. It is not yet in the DSM-5, but this does not prevent a psychologist or psychiatrist from identifying and treating it.

Who can diagnose CPTSD in Australia?

A registered psychologist, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can assess you and provide a CPTSD diagnosis. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist through a Mental Health Care Plan, which gives you access to Medicare rebated sessions at a reduced cost.

What therapies work best for CPTSD?

The most researched approaches include EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, somatic therapy and schema therapy. Treatment is usually delivered in phases, starting with safety and stabilisation before moving into trauma processing. Finding a therapist with specific complex trauma training is important, as general counselling can sometimes be insufficient for CPTSD.

How long does CPTSD treatment take?

CPTSD treatment typically takes longer than standard PTSD treatment because the trauma is more deeply embedded in a person's sense of self and relationships. Many people find meaningful improvement within 12 to 24 months of consistent therapy, though individual timelines vary considerably depending on history, support systems and the approach used.