Trauma Therapy Requires More Than Good Intentions — It Requires Regulation, Training & Safety

​

Healing trauma is a deeply sensitive process. It involves a person’s psychology, nervous system, identity, beliefs, emotions, relationships and sense of safety. In Australia, trauma treatment is considered a high-risk area of mental health practice, and therefore must be delivered by professionals who are trained, supervised and held accountable under a regulated system.

This is why trauma therapy delivered by a Registered Psychologist is legally and ethically distinct from services provided within the unregulated complementary therapy space.

​

 AHPRA: Australia’s Health Regulation System

​

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the governing body responsible for regulating health professions, including psychologists.

Psychologists must:

✔ Complete accredited university training
✔ Undertake supervised practice
✔ Meet national standards
✔ Maintain continuing professional development
✔ Comply with legally enforceable codes of ethics
✔ Operate under strict advertising, safety and therapeutic guidelines
✔ Carry professional indemnity insurance
✔ Be held accountable for client safety

This level of regulation exists to protect the public — especially those who have experienced trauma.

​

What Makes Trauma Therapy Different?

​

Trauma work is not just “talking about the past.”
It involves:

• nervous system regulation

• emotional processing

• attachment repair

• dissociation management

• behavioural safety

• complex trauma presentations

• risk assessment

• evidence-based interventions

• an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and body

These skills are not optional and cannot be replaced by general wellbeing approaches.

This is why AHPRA requires psychologists to have advanced training and ongoing supervision when working with trauma.

​

 Protected vs. Unprotected Titles: Why It Matters In Australia:

​

Protected Titles (Legally Regulated):

​

• Psychologist

• Clinical Psychologist

• Counselling Psychologist
  (and all specialist endorsements)

 

Not Protected (Anyone Can Use These Terms):

​

• Psychotherapist

• Counsellor

• Trauma Specialist

• Somatic Therapist

• Somatic Practitioner

• Bodyworker

• Trauma Coach

• Energy Healer

• Etc.

This means that any person, regardless of qualification or training, may call themselves:

“Trauma Specialist,”
“Somatic Psychotherapist,”
“Trauma-Informed Practitioner,”
“Trauma Healer,”
“Trauma Expert.”

These titles are not regulated, not overseen by AHPRA, and do not guarantee training, safety, or ethical accountability.

​

Why This Distinction Matters for Clients

​

When seeking trauma support, people deserve clarity about:

• the qualifications of the provider

• the level of regulation involved

• whether the service is evidence-based

• whether the service is safe for trauma treatment

• what protections exist for the client

Many people do not realise that trauma therapy delivered by a psychologist carries a very different level of training, oversight and accountability compared to non-regulated services.

​

My Commitment as a Registered Psychologist

​

As an AHPRA-registered psychologist, I provide trauma-informed psychological therapy with:

✔ evidence-based methods
✔ advanced trauma training
✔ clinical supervision
✔ risk assessment skills
✔ ethical standards
✔ accountability
✔ scope-of-practice boundaries

My work integrates mind, body and psyche — without compromising clinical safety.

I also offer complementary holistic wellbeing modalities, which are:

• optional

• non-clinical

• not psychological therapy

• not substitutes for mental health treatment

These services are kept strictly separate from regulated psychological care to ensure transparency, safety and clarity.

When to Choose Psychological Therapy

Psychological therapy is appropriate when:

• trauma impacts your daily functioning

• you experience anxiety, depression or PTSD

• there are symptoms that may require assessment

• trauma has caused dissociation or emotional dysregulation

• you want structured, evidence-based treatment

• you want AHPRA-regulated care

When Holistic Wellbeing Services Are Helpful

Holistic modalities can support:

• grounding

• somatic awareness

• relaxation

• embodiment

• self-connection

• nervous system support

These are complementary, not replacements for psychological therapy.

Your Safety Is My Priority

By offering both regulated psychological services and non-regulated wellbeing modalities — with clear separation and informed consent — I ensure that:

✔ you always know what service you are receiving
✔ you understand the differences
✔ you remain safe every step of the way
✔ your care is transparent and ethical

Understanding regulation is an essential part of trauma recovery.
You deserve to know exactly who is supporting you and under what standards.