Are you struggling with the effects of a traumatic experience? Perhaps painful memories, anxiety or difficulties with trust continue to affect your everyday life and relationships.
I'm Mel, a trauma-trained counsellor and EMDR therapist based in Tauranga. I support people who are dealing with the effects of distressing or overwhelming experiences, including difficult events from childhood or later in life.
My approach is gentle, compassionate and guided by your needs, with safety and trust always coming first.
I'm Mel, a trauma-trained counsellor and EMDR therapist based in Tauranga. I support people who have experienced trauma, including childhood abuse, sexual abuse, family violence and other overwhelming or distressing experiences.
I understand that the effects of trauma can be difficult to live with, and that reaching out for support isn't always easy.
My approach is gentle, compassionate and guided by your needs, with safety and trust always coming first.
When past experiences continue to affect your life
Trauma can affect people in many different ways. Sometimes the impact is immediately apparent, while at other times, difficult experiences from the past continue to influence how we feel and respond to situations many years later.
You may be experiencing:
- Painful or intrusive memories of past events
- Flashbacks or other symptoms of PTSD or complex trauma (CPTSD)
- Anxiety, fear or constantly feeling on edge
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
- Difficulties trusting other people
- Feeling unsafe, even when there is no immediate danger
- Low self-esteem, shame or feelings of self-blame
- Difficulties with relationships, intimacy or boundaries
- Strong emotional reactions that are difficult to understand or manage
I see many of these responses as ways the mind and body have learned to cope with overwhelming experiences.
They are not signs of weakness.
In counselling, we can explore how these experiences may be affecting your life today, without judgement or pressure.
Understanding the impact of traumatic experiences
I have experience supporting people affected by trauma, including sexual abuse, psychological abuse and domestic or family violence.
Experiences of abuse can affect your confidence, relationships and sense of safety. You may find it difficult to trust your own feelings, express your needs or feel comfortable connecting with others.
I recognise that everyone's experience is different, and there is no single way you should feel about what has happened.
My aim is to provide a safe and supportive space where you can begin to make sense of your experiences and explore how they continue to affect you.
You don't need to share everything at once. We can work at a pace that feels right for you.
My approach to trauma counselling
I hold specialist postgraduate qualifications in working therapeutically with trauma and have undertaken EMDR training.
My approach is tailored to each person, rather than following a fixed programme.
Alongside EMDR, I draw on Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Strengths-Based approaches, depending on your experiences and needs.
I believe that building trust and establishing a sense of safety are important parts of trauma counselling.
Together, we can explore the patterns, emotions and beliefs that may have developed through difficult experiences, while recognising the strengths and resources that have helped you cope.
My aim is to support you in understanding what happened, reducing its influence on your present life and gradually rebuilding your sense of confidence and self-worth.
EMDR therapy for traumatic experiences
As an EMDR-trained therapist, I can also offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
EMDR is an evidence-based therapeutic approach used to help people process distressing memories and experiences.
For some people, difficult memories continue to trigger strong emotional or physical responses long after an event has passed.
EMDR can help with processing these memories so that they become less distressing and have less influence on everyday life.
Whether EMDR is suitable for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and we can discuss this together.
I don't believe that one therapy approach is right for everyone. My focus is on finding a way of working that respects your needs and the pace at which you feel comfortable.
Rebuilding confidence and finding your way forward
Trauma can sometimes leave people feeling that their experiences have changed who they are or limited what is possible for their future.
I believe that while our past experiences shape us, they do not have to define our future.
In our counselling sessions, we can work towards understanding your experiences, recognising your strengths and finding ways to reconnect with yourself and others.
I use Narrative and Strengths-Based approaches to help you explore your story from different perspectives, including the resilience and resources that may have been overshadowed by difficult experiences.
My aim is not to minimise what you've been through, but to support you in finding a way forward that feels meaningful to you.
Trauma counselling in Tauranga and online
I offer trauma counselling and EMDR therapy in Tauranga, providing a warm, confidential and non-judgemental environment.
Online counselling is also available for people who prefer to attend sessions remotely. We can discuss which approach may be suitable for your needs.
Whether you're dealing with the effects of recent trauma, childhood experiences, abuse or other difficult events, you're welcome to get in touch.
Would you like to know more or make an appointment? Please feel free to contact me.
Mel
Counsellor & EMDR Therapist
Registered with NZAC
