Q: What is Until Now Therapy?
A: Until Now Therapy is trauma-informed psychotherapy which takes into account a person’s experiences with trauma and uses a sensitive and empowering approach to help them heal. As a psychotherapist, I understand the impact that trauma can have on a person’s life and work to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where they can work through their experiences and find lost autonomy.
This is permission to work at depth and to unknot what lies beneath. What you learnt, but what you cannot remember, which results in repeating the same behaviours and patterns. In order to understand our present pain we need to understand the origin of that and why we tolerate things that we know aren’t healthy for us. You will know when you have done the work, you can’t unsee your new awareness, so changes will naturally occur.
Q: What is trauma?
A: Trauma is what happens to the inside of you when you are left powerless. It is often through a relational injury but it also can be an act of violence (Vehicle accident, birth, medical, war) that disrupts the nervous system. It can also occur through the absence of an important emotional container. – like a neglectful or absent parent. It can happen as a single event or over a continuum of time. It is a physical, psychological, soulful, emotional and spiritual response. It is stored within the body and it can show up in reactivity, numbness and unhelpful coping strategies. It recycles through relationships and leaves a person feeling empty like they can’t get off the roundabout of life. Unsupported trauma is expressed through adaptive behaviours which seek to protect the self from further pain. After all, we are products of our environment.
Q: Can therapy help with trauma?
A: Therapy is a safe and supportive space where you can work through the impact that trauma has had on your life. I will witness your pain and your confusion. I’ll be there to support you every step of the way and help you develop skills and a mindset for managing difficult emotions and memories. With time and effort, it’s possible to heal from trauma.
However, safety first. You will need the capacity to be able to safely reflect on new ideas and understandings that emerge in session. You cannot be suicidal, or likely to do yourself harm.
Q: How does trauma-informed therapy work?
A: You will be heard, and I will believe you. We’ll work together to explore your experiences with trauma and understand how it’s affected your life.
You will learn about your brain, and how it responds to threat, perceived or otherwise.
We will explore attachment patterns, family of origin stories, meaning making from the implicit and explicit messaging, we may work with your inner child together. I will share the Ego State model with you, which will give you traction and understanding about the nuances of communicating your needs and recognising when someone does not have the capacity to do so. We will uncover old resources and build awareness so you can manage emotions and memories.
It’s important to remember that healing from trauma is a journey, and you need to take things at your own pace. It also requires commitment and consistency for it to be effective.
Q: Is therapy confidential?
A: Yes, therapy is confidential, what we talk about in therapy stays between us. There are some exceptions to this, we can discuss this during our first session. Please refer to the PACFA code of conduct to understand what this means for you.
Q: How do I get started with Until Now Therapy?
A: Getting started is easy! Simply book online or send me an email, and we’ll schedule an appointment that works for you. And remember, it’s okay to be a little nervous – that’s completely normal! I’m here to help make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Q: What modalities do you work with?
A: Trauma-informed working is a mindset rather than a framework, it puts the client first and understands how trauma may present uniquely with each client.
My training is Integrative which means I can draw from multiple modalities. However, the framework I use is Transactional Analysis – the Ego State model, which explores the context, that a client is positioned in life, through understanding our scripts and intergenerational messaging. It explains why you think/feel/behave like you do but it also posits new ways to reframe and organise the self in the present. It offers structure, but also invites organic growth and your autonomy. Transactional Analysis is a safe way to access the inner child without disrupting the present self.
Somatic therapies – help you to reconnect with the wisdom of your body and create safety within. People who have experienced trauma are often ‘disembodied’, which means they are cut off from experiencing their body. So, you may live in your head and be cut off from all the amazing resources that live below.
Most of all I am focused on the therapeutic relationship, my aim is to meet you right where you are and to work with you to repair past relational injuries that may have occurred.
Q: Do you accept Medicare MHCP
A: No. However, there are benefits, no footprint, and no limit to the therapy. Many Doctors and Psychologists refer to my services.
I have been a provider for the NDIS. I have now withdrawn my services from the NDIS due to pay disparity and concerns over client’s confidentiality.
I also provide counselling to those who work with Unmind Talk as their EAP. So check with your employer which EAP they use.
I am registered with Victim Assist, The Redress Scheme, The Trauma Support Directory and WorkCover.
Q:What is the difference between a Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist
A: Australia is still very confused with its identity around these roles. I wish it was made clearer for everyone as there are distinct differences and you should be given the information to be able to make a choice for your care.
However, due to a lack of standardisation across Counselling and Psychotherapy. People are calling themselves whatever they want. Without understanding the harm this is causing.
Counselling is an action – it means to meet with someone to discuss/explore emotional problems.
Who does the action – The training should segway that person to a particular role name. That speaks to the type of service you will receive. Is it medical, sociological, advisory or therapeutic.
Counsellors: Clinical skilled evidence based Counselling is mainly for current issues, anxiety management, a relationship issue, problems at work or as a parent. Short term, maybe 6- 20 sessions. There are many modalities that counsellors train in. They must be client-centred and a counsellor should not tell you what to do. They will explore the context of your life, and they may offer reflections, strategies and skills to build on present resources. They should be registered with PACFA and receive regular clinical supervision.
Psychotherapy is evidence based clinical depth work, it takes years to qualify, with a huge focus on practice and preparing the self for the work, through many hours of personal therapy. It seeks to raise the unconscious to the conscious safely. It is often long term and consistent. They work with transference and counter-transference. It is unique to any mental health support, it does not hold an agenda it is through your agency change is created. It can be relational/somatic/soulful/intrapsychic and the therapist works to their framework and the client’s context of life, reducing the need for an explanation of mental illness and diagnosis.
Psychology is the framework of the medical model related to the DSM IV of diagnosis. Psychologists are wonderful for assessments, diagnosis, short-term support, and behaviour change education. They will use modalities like CBT, ACT, C-FT and schema therapy which utilise worksheets, homework and are time-limited and outcome-focused. It will be working on present issues and thoughts/feelings/behaviours and how you can affect change. MHCP offer 6- 10 sessions subsidised by the government. This is why Psychologists have the monopoly of the field in mental health in Australia. Psychologists are not required to attend their own therapy as part of training. Although there are exceptions and some will have received additional training in psychotherapeutic education. Most training is focused on theory and only includes a small amount of practical experience. Social Work and MH OTs roles are also derived from the medical nursing profession.
There are good and bad practitioners in the field. The most important thing is how you feel in their presence. Is there a good match? Can you trust them to hold space for you? If not, choose a different person.
Q: Do you offer online sessions?
A: Yes, I offer online sessions, which means I can support anyone in Australia and often in other countries too. Please remember I work in AEST when booking appointments.
