Compassionate Support for Complex Mental Health Needs
Some people live with mental health difficulties that are long-standing, layered or hard to fit neatly into one diagnosis. This can include several conditions occurring together, complex or developmental trauma, personality-related difficulties, or ongoing challenges with emotions, relationships and sense of self.
If previous therapy has not felt like the right fit, you are not alone, and it does not mean you cannot get better. Our psychologists offer patient, collaborative, longer-term care that is tailored to the whole person.
What Complex Mental Health Can Involve
Every person is different, but complex mental health needs can involve:
Multiple or Overlapping Difficulties: For example, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties occurring together.
Complex or Developmental Trauma: Ongoing or repeated experiences, often from early in life, that have shaped how you see yourself and others.
Intense or Rapidly Changing Emotions: Feeling emotions very strongly, or finding it hard to settle after becoming upset.
Difficulties in Relationships: Fear of rejection or abandonment, intense relationships, or finding it hard to trust.
An Unstable Sense of Self: Feeling unsure of who you are, what you want or what you value.
These experiences make sense in the context of your history, and they can change with consistent, skilled support.
How Therapy Can Help
Our psychologists draw on approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, alongside trauma-focused care where needed, to help you:
Build Stability and Safety First: Establish a solid foundation before exploring deeper issues.
Learn Emotion Regulation Skills: Develop practical tools for managing distress, urges and intense emotions.
Understand Deep-Rooted Patterns: Explore how early experiences shaped your beliefs, reactions and relationships.
Address Trauma at the Right Pace: Work with difficult experiences only when you are ready and supported to do so.
Enjoy Continuity of Care: Complex needs often benefit from longer-term therapy with a consistent psychologist.
Where helpful, we can also work alongside your GP, psychiatrist or other health professionals.
What to Expect
Therapy for complex mental health needs is collaborative and paced around you. It usually involves:
A Thorough Assessment: We take time to understand your history, current difficulties and what has and has not helped in the past.
A Tailored Plan: We build a plan collaboratively, and you set the pace, with a focus on safety, stability and steady progress.
Practical Skills and Support: You will learn skills to manage difficult emotions and situations, and practise them with support.
Reviewing Progress: We regularly check in on how things are going and adjust the approach as needed, so therapy continues to fit your goals.
How to Access the Service
To begin therapy, please get in touch with our friendly administrative team via our contact page, phone, or email address and we will send you an intake form and our information sheet and consent form to start the intake process.
You do not need a referral to book an initial appointment, however you may want to discuss your needs with your general practitioner (GP) to determine if you qualify for Medicare funding, which can cover up to ten sessions with a Mental Health Care Plan. In such cases, you would need a referral. Additionally, private health insurance rebates may be available through your provider.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000. For 24/7 crisis support in Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.