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, particularly when escape was difficult or impossible. This includes childhood abuse, domestic violence, institutional abuse, trafficking, or sustained emotional maltreatment. Unlike single-incident PTSD, CPTSD tends to affect a person's entire sense of self, their ability to trust others, how they regulate emotions, and how they see the world. Symptoms can include chronic shame, difficulty sustaining relationships, emotional flashbacks, dissociation, and a deep sense of being different or damaged. Treatment for CPTSD is typically longer-term and needs to be carefully phased. Most approaches begin with building safety, grounding, and stabilisation before moving into trauma processing. Therapies used include EMDR, somatic and body-based approaches, Internal Family Systems (IFS), schema therapy, and phase-based models such as ISSTD guidelines. Pacing is crucial, and a skilled trauma-informed therapist will follow the individual's lead. In Australia, CPTSD is increasingly recognised in clinical settings, though accessing a therapist with specific training can take time. A GP referral under Medicare's Better Access initiative can help with cost, and organisations such as Blue Knot Foundation and 1800RESPECT provide support and referral guidance. The NDIS may be relevant for people whose CPTSD significantly affects daily functioning and independence.