The treatment programs currently offered at the Traumatic Stress Clinic include:
What type of treatment is it?
Most treatment programs provided at the Clinic are based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). CBT is a scientifically proven treatment approach which aims to teach patients new skills and strategies for dealing with difficulties commonly experienced after a trauma or significant loss. This includes learning new ways to identify and manage distressing thoughts, memories and behaviours. Across many studies from different countries, there is overwhelming evidence that CBT is the best treatment for both PTSD and prolonged grief.
What is a “research clinic”?
The Traumatic Stress Clinic is a research clinic, meaning that all of the treatment provided through the clinic is conducted as part of research trials. This research aims to investigate the usefulness of treatments for post-traumatic stress and complicated grief reactions. This means that the programs offered through the Traumatic Stress Clinic are based on the best treatments currently available for PTSD and prolonged grief. At the same time, these treatments are “cutting edge”, incorporating new and improved approaches for treating trauma and loss. Because we are a research clinic, patients at the Traumatic Stress Clinic have access to highly specialised programs with experts in the field, and because we are funded by research grants, treatment is free.
How do I go about starting treatment?
The first step for organising treatment at the Traumatic Stress Clinic is to complete an over-the-phone intake process to determine whether one of our treatment programs will be suitable for your needs. This is because treatment is conducted as part of research trials and we are unable to be flexible with the treatment programs offered.
*In the intake call we will ask you some questions about your loss/trauma and how it is affecting you now.
**Wait time is dependent on clinician availability.
Where can I access the service?
For people living in the greater Sydney region, we offer assessment and therapy at our Randwick and Westmead clinics. To help increase access to our service for people living in regional NSW or interstate, we offer assessment and therapy via telehealth (video conferencing). Please contact us on (02) 8627 3314 if you have further questions about our services.
Please note that we are not a crisis service and cannot provide immediate assistance nor after-hours services.
If you have an emergency or are currently experiencing a crisis, please follow one of the options below:
Attending the Emergency Department of the nearest public hospital
Call Lifeline for 24 hour counselling on 13 11 14
Contact your local GP
