Trauma, Intimacy & Sexual Wellbeing

Trauma can affect the way we experience our bodies, relationships and intimacy.

Trauma doesn’t only affect our thoughts and emotions. It can also influence how safe we feel in our bodies, how we connect with others, and our experiences of intimacy, sexuality and relationships.

For some people, these difficulties develop following childhood abuse, sexual assault or other traumatic experiences. For others, they may arise after pregnancy, childbirth, medical procedures or other distressing life events. Whatever your experience, these concerns are far more common than many people realise—and they are not something you have to navigate alone.

Therapy provides a safe, compassionate space to understand these experiences, process trauma, and work towards healing at a pace that feels right for you.

I can support people experiencing:

  • Childhood sexual abuse

  • Sexual assault or rape

  • Intimacy difficulties following trauma

  • Pain or anxiety associated with sexual intimacy (including vaginismus)

  • Shame, fear or avoidance related to intimacy

  • Difficulties trusting or feeling safe in relationships

  • Changes in sexual wellbeing following trauma

  • Pregnancy or birth trauma

  • Trauma related to medical procedures or reproductive experiences

  • Difficulties adjusting after traumatic life events that have affected intimacy or relationships

Birth Trauma

For some parents, pregnancy or childbirth can be experienced as traumatic. This may include emergency medical interventions, feeling powerless or unsupported during birth, pregnancy loss, frightening complications, or experiences that continue to feel overwhelming long after the birth has ended.

Birth trauma can affect emotional wellbeing, confidence, relationships, bonding, future family planning, and feelings of safety within your own body. Therapy can provide a space to process these experiences, reduce distress, and support recovery.

A trauma-informed approach

My approach is warm, collaborative and trauma-informed. I recognise that discussing experiences relating to trauma, intimacy or sexuality can feel deeply vulnerable, and I aim to create a space where you feel safe, respected and free from judgement.

Depending on your needs, therapy may incorporate approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive and behavioural therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), parts work, and other evidence-based approaches tailored to your individual circumstances.

Therapy isn’t about rushing into difficult memories or conversations. Instead, we work together to build safety, understand the impact of your experiences, and support meaningful healing over time.

If trauma has affected the way you experience your body, relationships or intimacy, support is available. Recovery is possible, and therapy can provide a compassionate space to process what has happened, rebuild a sense of safety, and move towards the life and relationships you want.

Appointments

Appointments are available in-person in Frankston, Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula, as well as via telehealth across Australia.

If you would like to discuss whether trauma therapy may be right for you, please feel free to get in touch.

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