Trauma and PTSD

When a person experiences a traumatic event that has threatened their life or safety, or the safety of those around them, they can be left with intense feelings or fear and helplessness. This can trigger responses such as avoidance, intrusive thoughts and high reactivity. This is called post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

A person may develop PTSD after a traumatic event such as a car crash, physical or sexual assault, war or torture, or natural disasters such as bushfires or floods.

Many people show symptoms of PTSD in the first few weeks after a traumatic event but recover on their own with the support of family and friends. Others may require treatment and support from health professionals.

Effective treatment for PTSD involves a mix of inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient psychological services.

Treatment Options at Ramsay Clinic New Farm

We understand the impact of trauma. Our compassionate team provides a supportive environment and personalised treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms and build a fulfilling life.

This may include:

• Inpatient Program: Our inpatient program offers a safe space to manage your symptoms and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
• Day Programs: These structured group therapy programs help you develop skills to manage symptoms, connect with others who understand, and prevent relapse. You'll work with experienced therapists who can also provide individual therapy sessions as needed. Click here to view our extensive list of day programs available.
• Neurostimulation services: Innovative technologies Including Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) may be available to enhance your treatment plan alongside traditional therapies. Click here to view the therapies available at Ramsay Clinic New Farm.
• Outpatient Services: Our outpatient service provides access to expert psychiatrists who can assess your situation, create a personalised treatment plan, and offer ongoing support. This may include short-term or long-term therapy.
• Outreach Program: This program offers individualised treatment plans delivered in your home or via telehealth, providing convenient support for those who need short-term assistance after inpatient care, are waiting for a day program, or require longer-term support.

We're Here for You

If you're struggling with trauma or PTSD, you don't have to go through it alone. Our compassionate team is here to help you find the right support. Call us at 1300 290 645 to discuss your individual needs and treatment options or click here to send an enquiry.

Day Programs

Managing Mood Disorders (Using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)

The Managing Mood Disorders program is a 10 week group that delivers skills-focused treatment for people who experience anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

The program teaches patients about the connection between thinking styles, emotions and behaviour in relation to their current difficulties. Strategies are taught to assist individuals to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and develop helpful coping strategies.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT was designed for individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, however a formal diagnosis is not necessary to benefit from the program.

It is useful for patients requiring assistance with suicidality and self-harm, those with complex trauma and mental health issues and/or difficulties managing intense emotions.

The program focuses on four key topics; mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal / relationship effectiveness.

18-25 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

The Young Adult DBT program focuses on the four key topics described above but tailors content to the unique difficulties experienced by young adults. This includes content related to alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviour, developing structure and routine after schooling, developing independence, tertiary study, and developing healthy friendships and relationships.

Mentalisation

An evidenced based treatment which focuses on developing people’s capacities to be aware of mental states in the self and in others. Mental states include thoughts and feelings, attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and wishes. Greater understanding of one’s own and others’ mental states, lays a foundation for regulating emotions and improving interpersonal relationships.

It is useful for patients who struggle in relating to others, with maintaining stability, and with their sense of identity.

Trauma Program (Maintaining Safety and Stability)

This is a trauma informed group with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and polyvagal theory. It is designed to target symptoms associated with PTSD and cPTSD. Patients will increase their awareness and understanding of the impacts of trauma on their nervous system and learn strategies to manage symptoms.

It is a psychoeducation skills program, not a trauma process group and people do not explicitly discuss their traumatic experiences with other members.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Over 12 weeks The CFT Day Program covers the key emotional systems, evolutionary neuroscience (and some polyvagal theory). Patients are taught compassionate mind training so they can self-sooth, build a sense of safeness and use imagery (and other techniques) to cultivate a wise, strong, courageous and committed self. CFT specifically targets fear, shame and self-criticism and provides alternative skills to enable clients to cope during periods of psychological distress. The program is highly experiential.

It is useful for patients with mood disorders and/or who experience harsh self-criticism which interferes with their wellbeing and daily living (transdiagnositc problems) and treatment goals.

Addiction Program

This group provides a supportive space to assist people in managing and reducing their dependence on alcohol and prescription drugs. There is a focus on relapse prevention strategies. reviewing their recovery plan, and responding to early signs of relapse.

It is ideal for patients discharging from the inpatient prescription drug and alcohol program.

This is a half day program from 9 – 12:15pm

Eating Disorder Program

This group is a 2 day per week program with a recovery focus for patients seeking support to manage their Eating Disorder in the community. This program is ideal for patients stepping down from inpatient treatment and for people either waiting or hoping to prevent an inpatient admission.

The program aims to support patients in re-nourishing their body and brain through psycho-educational content and supported meal therapy.

This is an open group delivered over 6 weeks with the opportunity to extend to 12 weeks.

Participants must be medically stable, not requiring NG feeding and engaged regularly with their GP in order to be part of this program. Participants must commit to the program guidelines which are made available to the referring doctor on referral.

The programs principles and approach are closely aligned with Ramsay Clinics Eating Disorder Program and has specific start / finish times which are aligned with supported meal therapy.

For further information please call our Day Patient Program Coordinator on (07) 3254 9100. A referral from your GP or current treating psychiatrist is required for entry to the programs. Please send referrals to our Day Patient Program Coordinator by fax (07) 3254 9601 or email referrals.nfc@ramsayhealth.com.au. Ramsay Clinic New Farm staff will coordinate admission to the appropriate program.