Online Trauma Therapy Across Australia

Online trauma therapy is professional psychological support for trauma, delivered via secure video rather than in person. It uses the same evidence-based approaches as face-to-face therapy — primarily EMDR, CBT, and ACT — in a format that allows you to engage from wherever you feel most comfortable and safe. Sessions are conducted with a registered psychologist who takes a trauma-informed approach, meaning care is paced gently and your safety is prioritised throughout.

Research consistently shows that trauma therapy delivered via telehealth is as effective as in-person therapy for most people, when it uses evidence-based approaches like EMDR and CBT. For many people, attending from a familiar, safe environment actually supports the therapeutic process — particularly during EMDR, where being in a settled space can aid memory reprocessing. The key factor is the approach used and the quality of the therapeutic relationship, not the format.

No referral is needed to book and pay privately — you can book directly online. If you'd like to access Medicare rebates under the Better Access initiative, you'll need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP before your first session. Your GP can arrange this in a standard appointment — it's a routine request and usually takes around 20 minutes.

Yes. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you can access up to 10 rebated individual psychology sessions per calendar year under Medicare's Better Access initiative. Telehealth sessions attract the same rebate as in-person sessions. We process your Medicare rebate on your behalf at the time of the session — it's typically back in your account within 48 hours. See our Medicare rebates guide for more detail.

Trauma is a broad term for the emotional and physiological response to a deeply distressing or overwhelming experience. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a clinical diagnosis that can develop following trauma, characterised by specific symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance, and significant changes in mood and thinking that persist for more than a month. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD — but both can benefit meaningfully from trauma-focused therapy.

Acute trauma typically follows a single overwhelming event — such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. Complex trauma (C-PTSD) arises from repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing experiences, often within relationships — such as childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or long-term coercive control. C-PTSD often involves additional layers such as difficulties with identity, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships, and generally requires a longer, more nuanced treatment approach than single-incident trauma.

The length of trauma therapy varies depending on the nature and complexity of the trauma, your personal goals, and how you respond to treatment. For single-incident trauma, many people see meaningful progress within 8–16 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically requires a longer course of therapy. Under Medicare's Better Access initiative, you can claim up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year, with additional sessions available privately beyond that cap. We review progress regularly and talk openly about what's working.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer carry the same emotional weight. It uses bilateral stimulation — traditionally eye movements, but also tapping or audio tones — while you briefly bring a distressing memory to mind. Online EMDR uses a dedicated bilateral stimulation tool displayed on screen, or audio tones through headphones, in place of in-room eye movements. Research supports online EMDR as comparably effective to in-person delivery. You can learn more on our online EMDR therapy page.

Yes, when conducted by a registered psychologist using a trauma-informed, paced approach. At Human First, we prioritise safety throughout — starting with stabilisation and coping skills before any trauma processing begins. Sessions are conducted via an encrypted video platform, and if the work ever feels too overwhelming, your therapist will adjust the approach. We develop a personalised safety plan with all trauma clients so you have clear steps to follow if things feel difficult between appointments.

Absolutely. Many adults carry the effects of childhood trauma without having had the opportunity to process it at the time. Childhood trauma — including neglect, abuse, witnessing family violence, or growing up in an unsafe environment — can have lasting effects on the nervous system, relationships, and sense of self. EMDR, CBT, and compassion-based approaches can all be effective in helping adults heal from early experiences, often with profound results. It is never too late to seek support.

Your first session is about getting to know each other and understanding your situation. There's no pressure to share everything at once — you're in control of what you bring to the conversation. Your psychologist will ask about what brings you to therapy, how things have been affecting your life, and what you're hoping for from the process. You'll have space to ask questions, and together you'll begin building a sense of direction. The first session does not involve trauma processing — that comes later, once the groundwork of safety and stabilisation is in place.

The cost depends on whether you're accessing Medicare rebates, using private health insurance, or paying privately. Our session fees are listed on our fees & pricing page. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates a portion of the fee, leaving a gap that you pay out of pocket. We process your rebate at the time of the session. Many private health funds also cover telehealth psychology under extras cover — though you can't claim both Medicare and private health for the same session.

Yes — that's one of the core reasons we offer telehealth. Whether you're in a capital city or a remote regional community, you can access the same quality of care via secure video. All you need is a stable internet connection and somewhere private to talk. Many of our clients are in areas with limited local psychology services, and telehealth has made consistent, professional trauma support possible in a way it simply hasn't been before.

Yes. Everything discussed in your sessions is held in strict confidence in accordance with the Privacy Act and our professional obligations as registered psychologists. There are a small number of situations where confidentiality may need to be broken — specifically, if there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or another person, or if required by law (such as mandatory reporting obligations). Your psychologist will explain this clearly at the start of therapy, before you share anything sensitive, so you fully understand where the limits lie.