Pieces to Peace Psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their trauma and its effects on their lives.
We use trauma-specific theories and practice frameworks, including trauma-responsive care, attachment and family systems, child development, resilience and recovery, and human rights and ethics.
Our approach is designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma process their experiences, reduce symptoms of trauma-related disorders (such as PTSD), and improve their overall quality of life.
Pieces to Peace Psychotherapy is a dedicated space for healing and growth for those impacted by domestic and family violence. As a trauma psychotherapist, I specialize in working with victims, perpetrators, and children who experience or witness these forms of abuse. Domestic and family violence can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, leading to profound trauma and lasting effects on individuals and families.
My approach is centred on providing a safe and compassionate environment for healing. I offer support tailored to the unique needs of each individual, drawing from evidence-based practices and a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma. Whether you are seeking help to recover from abuse, seeking to address harmful behaviours as a perpetrator, or supporting a child affected by violence, I am here to support you on your journey toward healing and empowerment.
Together, we can navigate the challenges of trauma, break the cycle of violence, and create a path toward a brighter and more peaceful future.
Refer to the following sections for additional details.
When working with victims of domestic violence, my therapy approach is centred on achieving several key outcomes that support healing and empowerment. One crucial goal is to help survivors regain a sense of safety and control over their lives. This often involves processing traumatic experiences, learning coping strategies for managing emotions and triggers, and rebuilding self-esteem and confidence.
Therapy also focuses on addressing the impact of abuse on mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through therapy, survivors can develop skills to manage these symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
Another important outcome is to help survivors establish and maintain healthy boundaries in relationships, which can prevent future abuse and improve their ability to form healthy connections.
Furthermore, therapy can support survivors in recognizing and challenging harmful beliefs or patterns of behaviour that may have developed as a result of the abuse. This can lead to increased self-awareness and more positive self-concept.
Overall, therapy for victims of domestic violence aims to empower survivors, helping them to heal from past trauma, build resilience, and create a life free from abuse.
When working with perpetrators of domestic violence, the aim is to facilitate profound personal change, accountability, and the development of healthy, non-violent relationships. One of the primary goals is to help perpetrators recognize and take responsibility for their abusive behaviour. This often involves exploring the underlying causes of violence, such as unresolved trauma, distorted beliefs about power and control, and ineffective coping mechanisms.
Therapy also focuses on teaching perpetrators alternative ways of relating and communicating that are respectful and non-violent. This may include learning anger management skills, conflict resolution strategies, and empathy-building exercises.
Another key outcome is to help perpetrators develop insight into the impact of their behaviour on their partners and children. By understanding the harm caused by their actions, perpetrators can be motivated to make lasting changes in their behaviour.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help perpetrators address any underlying issues, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or past trauma, that may contribute to their violent behaviour. By addressing these issues, perpetrators can reduce the risk of future violence and improve their overall well-being.
Overall, therapy for perpetrators of domestic violence seeks to support individuals in taking responsibility for their actions, changing harmful behaviour patterns, and building healthy, non-violent relationships.
Supporting children who witness domestic violence between their parents is crucial for their well-being and development. Therapy aims to help these children process their experiences, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. One of the primary goals is to provide a safe space where children can express their feelings and fears related to the violence they have witnessed.
Therapy also focuses on helping children understand that the violence is not their fault and that they are not alone in their experiences. This can help reduce feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation.
Another key outcome is to help children develop healthy ways of coping with stress and emotions. This may include teaching them relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and communication skills.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help children build positive self-esteem and a sense of identity separate from the violence they have witnessed. By developing a strong sense of self, children can better navigate the challenges they face and build healthy relationships in the future.
Overall, therapy for children who witness domestic violence aims to provide them with the support and tools they need to heal from their experiences, build resilience, and thrive despite the trauma they have endured.
The following helplines can provided immediate and confidential support 24/7:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Child Protection Helpline: 132 111
Supporting adult survivors of child sexual abuse is a delicate and crucial process that aims to promote healing, empowerment, and reclaiming of one's sense of self. Therapy for adult survivors of child sexual abuse focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help survivors process the trauma they experienced, including the associated feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. By exploring these experiences in a safe and supportive environment, survivors can begin to make sense of their past and work towards healing.
Therapy also aims to help survivors develop coping strategies to manage the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse. This may include learning techniques to regulate emotions, manage triggers, and build self-esteem.
Another important outcome is to help survivors address any negative beliefs or self-perceptions that may have developed as a result of the abuse. By challenging these beliefs and replacing them with more positive and empowering ones, survivors can improve their self-image and sense of worth.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help survivors establish healthy boundaries in relationships and develop skills to navigate intimacy and trust. This can help survivors build more fulfilling and supportive relationships in the future.
Overall, therapy for adult survivors of child sexual abuse aims to support them in their journey towards healing, empowerment, and reclaiming their sense of self.
Supporting victims of sexual abuse is a critical and sensitive process that aims to promote healing, empowerment, and recovery. Therapy for victims of sexual abuse focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help survivors process the trauma they experienced, including the associated feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. By exploring these experiences in a safe and supportive environment, survivors can begin to make sense of their past and work towards healing.
Therapy also aims to help survivors develop coping strategies to manage the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse. This may include learning techniques to regulate emotions, manage triggers, and build self-esteem.
Another important outcome is to help survivors address any negative beliefs or self-perceptions that may have developed as a result of the abuse. By challenging these beliefs and replacing them with more positive and empowering ones, survivors can improve their self-image and sense of worth.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help survivors establish healthy boundaries in relationships and develop skills to navigate intimacy and trust. This can help survivors build more fulfilling and supportive relationships in the future.
Overall, therapy for victims of sexual abuse aims to support them in their journey towards healing, empowerment, and reclaiming their sense of self.
Supporting individuals experiencing grief and loss is a compassionate and essential process that aims to facilitate healing, acceptance, and meaning making. Therapy for grief and loss focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals navigate the complex emotions associated with grief, including sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion. By providing a safe space for expression and reflection, therapy can help individuals process these emotions and move towards acceptance.
Therapy also aims to help individuals adjust to life without their loved one or the lost aspect of their life. This may involve exploring ways to maintain connections with the deceased or lost, while also finding new sources of meaning and purpose in life.
Another important outcome is to help individuals develop coping strategies to manage the practical challenges of grief, such as dealing with anniversaries, holidays, and other triggers. This may include learning relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and ways to self-soothe during difficult moments.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals find meaning and growth in their grief experience. This may involve exploring existential questions, spiritual beliefs, and personal values to find a sense of purpose and direction moving forward.
Overall, therapy for grief and loss aims to support individuals in their journey towards healing, acceptance, and finding a new normal in the face of profound loss.
Supporting individuals with mental illness is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote healing, resilience, and well-being. Therapy for mental illness focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This may involve learning coping strategies, developing self-care routines, and building support networks.
Therapy also aims to help individuals understand and address the underlying causes of their mental illness. This may involve exploring past experiences, traumas, or patterns of thinking that contribute to their symptoms.
Another important outcome is to help individuals build skills to navigate the challenges of daily life. This may include improving communication skills, setting boundaries, and developing problem-solving strategies.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals build resilience and self-esteem. This may involve exploring personal strengths and values, setting achievable goals, and celebrating successes, no matter how small.
Overall, therapy for mental illness aims to support individuals in their journey towards recovery, empowerment, and a fulfilling life.
Supporting individuals with a serious illness is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote healing, acceptance, and quality of life. Therapy for serious illness focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals manage the physical and emotional symptoms of their illness. This may involve pain management, symptom control, and emotional support to improve overall well-being.
Therapy also aims to help individuals cope with the changes and challenges that come with a serious illness. This may involve adjusting to new limitations, addressing fears and anxieties about the future, and finding ways to maintain a sense of normalcy and meaning in life.
Another important outcome is to help individuals enhance their communication with healthcare providers, family, and friends. This can help individuals feel more empowered and in control of their care and decisions.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals find meaning and purpose in their illness experience. This may involve exploring existential questions, spiritual beliefs, and personal values to find a sense of peace and acceptance.
Overall, therapy for serious illness aims to support individuals in their journey towards healing, acceptance, and living a meaningful life, regardless of their health challenges.
Supporting individuals with a psychosocial disability is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote recovery, empowerment, and social inclusion. Therapy for psychosocial disability focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals develop the skills and strategies they need to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This may involve learning coping mechanisms, building social skills, and developing a support network.
Therapy also aims to help individuals set and achieve personal goals related to their mental health and well-being. This may involve improving self-esteem, building confidence, and fostering a sense of independence.
Another important outcome is to help individuals navigate the challenges of daily life, such as housing, employment, and social relationships. This may involve providing practical support and advocacy to help individuals access the resources they need to thrive.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals build resilience and self-awareness. This may involve exploring personal strengths and values, developing a sense of identity separate from their disability, and fostering a positive outlook on life.
Overall, therapy for psychosocial disability aims to support individuals in their journey towards recovery, independence, and a fulfilling life within their communities.
Supporting individuals with parenthood issues is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote healing, confidence, and healthy parent-child relationships. Therapy for parenthood issues focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals navigate the challenges of parenthood, including infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, and parenting stress. This may involve providing emotional support, coping strategies, and parenting education.
Therapy also aims to help individuals address any underlying issues that may be impacting their ability to parent effectively. This may include exploring past experiences, trauma, or relationship dynamics that are affecting their parenting style.
Another important outcome is to help individuals build confidence and self-esteem as parents. This may involve identifying and building on their strengths as parents, as well as learning to set realistic expectations for themselves and their children.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals foster healthy and supportive relationships with their children. This may involve improving communication, setting boundaries, and building trust and connection.
Overall, therapy for parenthood issues aims to support individuals in their journey towards becoming confident, resilient, and nurturing parents.
Supporting parents of children with disabilities is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote resilience, empowerment, and family well-being. Therapy for parents of children with disabilities focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help parents navigate the challenges of raising a child with a disability, including accessing resources, advocating for their child, and managing the emotional impact of the diagnosis.
Therapy also aims to help parents develop coping strategies and resilience in the face of adversity. This may involve providing emotional support, teaching stress management techniques, and fostering a sense of hope and optimism.
Another important outcome is to help parents build strong and supportive relationships with their child and other family members. This may involve improving communication skills, setting boundaries, and finding ways to strengthen family bonds.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help parents cultivate a positive and empowering narrative around their child's disability. This may involve reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, celebrating their child's unique strengths, and fostering a sense of pride in their parenting journey.
Overall, therapy for parents of children with disabilities aims to support parents in their journey towards acceptance, empowerment, and creating a fulfilling and supportive family environment.
Supporting individuals with addictions is a compassionate and essential process that aims to promote recovery, empowerment, and well-being. Therapy for addiction focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. This may involve exploring the underlying causes of addiction, developing coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers, and building a strong support network.
Therapy also aims to help individuals address any co-occurring mental health issues that may contribute to or result from their addiction. This may involve providing dual diagnosis treatment, medication management, and therapy to address issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma.
Another important outcome is to help individuals rebuild their lives and relationships. This may involve vocational counselling, education on healthy lifestyle choices, and family therapy to improve communication and support.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals develop a sense of purpose and meaning in life beyond their addiction. This may involve exploring personal values, setting goals for the future, and finding ways to engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
Overall, therapy for addiction aims to support individuals in their journey towards recovery, empowerment, and a fulfilling life free from the grip of addiction.
Supporting veterans and army personnel is a crucial and honourable process that aims to promote healing, resilience, and reintegration into civilian life. Therapy for veterans and army personnel focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals process their military experiences, including trauma, loss, and transitions. This may involve exploring emotions related to combat, adjusting to civilian life, and addressing any post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Therapy also aims to help individuals develop coping strategies to manage the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. This may involve vocational counselling, education on mental health issues, and support in building a new identity outside of the military.
Another important outcome is to help individuals strengthen their relationships with family and loved ones. This may involve couples or family therapy to improve communication and understanding, as well as individual therapy to address any issues related to the deployment or separation.
Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals build resilience and self-esteem. This may involve identifying and building on their strengths, as well as finding ways to cope with stress and uncertainty.
Overall, therapy for veterans and army personnel aims to support individuals in their journey towards healing, reintegration, and a fulfilling life beyond their military service.