Trauma Counselling

Trauma Counselling in Perth

Trauma-informed counselling for children, teens, adults and families, at a pace that feels safe, and never pushing you to revisit more than you are ready to. In South Perth and online across Australia.

All ages and families At a pace that feels safe No referral required In person and online
Illustrated watercolour scene of balanced stacked stones beside a calm lake, representing the steady, grounded space Discovery Family Therapy's trauma counselling offers.

Does this sound familiar?

Trauma can stay with us long after the event, and it shows up differently for everyone. You might recognise some of these.

For children, teens, adults and families.

A frightening or painful experience

Something that happened (an accident, assault, abuse, or a series of events) that still feels close.

Reliving it

Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, or feeling on edge and easily startled.

Numbness and avoidance

Feeling flat or disconnected, or avoiding people, places or reminders.

Childhood or complex trauma

The lasting effects of neglect, abuse or unsafe early experiences, showing up years later.

A child or teen who has been through something hard

Big changes in behaviour, mood, sleep or play after a frightening or confusing experience.

The whole family affected

When one person's trauma is shaping the mood, safety and relationships at home.

Trauma counselling begins with safety, trust and an understanding of how the experience is affecting life now. Your counsellor works at a pace shaped around your readiness and focuses first on stability, regulation and practical support.

How trauma counselling helps

Safety and pace first

We build a sense of safety before anything else, and you stay in control of the pace.

Understand the effects

Make sense of how trauma is showing up in your body, feelings, sleep and relationships.

Evidence-based approaches

Trauma-informed, drawing on somatic approaches, Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

For every age

Talk-based support for adults and teens, and play-based, creative approaches for younger children.

Who you can book with

Trauma counselling is available for all ages. Krasna and Ken work with adults; Mel, Nadia and Zaynab work with children and teens; and family trauma support is offered by Nadia and Mel.

Krasna Phillips, Senior Counsellor at Discovery Family Therapy

Krasna Phillips

Senior Counsellor

Specialist areas:
Adults, couples, grief and loss, relationship counselling, family communication, life transitions
Qualifications:
Dip. Couns.
Memberships:
Australian Counselling Association, Level 2: 26428
View Krasna's profile →
Ken Byrne, Counsellor at Discovery Family Therapy

Ken Byrne

Counsellor

Specialist areas:
Alcohol use and recovery, men's counselling, work and FIFO, couples and relationship counselling, anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, counselling for fathers, relapse prevention and maintaining recovery, grief and bereavement
Qualifications:
B.Sc. Psychology, Grad. Dip. Counselling
Memberships:
Australian Counselling Association, Member: 20240
View Ken's profile →
Mel Tibbitts, Senior Counsellor and Mental Health Occupational Therapist at Discovery Family Therapy

Mel Tibbitts

Senior Counsellor and Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Specialist areas:
Children, teens, parents, emotional regulation, behaviour support, family support, routines, school-related challenges
Qualifications:
B.Sc. (Hons) Occupational Therapy, Endorsed Mental Health Practitioner
Memberships:
AHPRA: OCC0002166799
View Mel's profile →
Nadia Kidgell, Principal Family Counsellor at Discovery Family Therapy

Nadia Kidgell

Principal Family Counsellor

Specialist areas:
Children, teens, parents, families, family systems, neurodivergence, complex family dynamics, trauma-informed support
Qualifications:
Dip. Couns., Cert. Play Therapy
Memberships:
Australian Counselling Association, Level 2: 19620
View Nadia's profile →
Zaynab Al-Fahrany, Children and Teen Counsellor at Discovery Family Therapy

Zaynab Al-Fahrany

Children and Teen Counsellor

Specialist areas:
Anxiety, school refusal, bullying, identity, ADHD, family change and conflict
Qualifications:
B.A. Psychology, Curtin University
Memberships:
Australian Counselling Association, Level 1: S87616
View Zaynab's profile →

In person at our South Perth clinic (close to Como, Applecross, Victoria Park and Mount Pleasant) and online across Australia, including support for FIFO families.

What happens next

1. Reach out

Book directly or send an enquiry. Your first appointment will focus on what is affecting you now, the support you need and the safest starting point for the work.

2. Safety and understanding first

Your first sessions focus on stability, safety and understanding what you are carrying, not on retelling the trauma.

3. Healing at your pace

We work gradually, in whatever way and at whatever speed feels manageable for you or your child.

Help me choose →

Common questions

Will I have to talk about the trauma in detail?

No. You are always in control of what you share and when. Good trauma work builds safety first and never pushes you to revisit more than you are ready to.

Do you work with children who have experienced trauma?

Yes. Mel, Nadia and Zaynab work with children and teens, using play-based and creative approaches for younger children alongside talk-based support for teens.

Do you provide a PTSD diagnosis?

No. We are counsellors, not assessors, so we do not diagnose PTSD or complex PTSD. We provide trauma-informed counselling and are glad to work alongside your GP, psychologist or psychiatrist.

Can the whole family be supported?

Yes. When one person's trauma is affecting the household, we can support the family alongside individual work.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is required. You can book directly online or get in touch with us to arrange a first conversation.

How much does it cost, and are rebates available?

A Standard Appointment is $169.40 and a family session (60 minutes) is $193.60, privately billed. Mel Tibbitts is billed at $200 per hour and is the only practitioner who offers Medicare and private health rebates. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants can use eligible funding; Discovery Family Therapy is not a registered NDIS provider.

Are sessions available online?

Yes. Trauma counselling is available in person in South Perth and online across Australia by secure video, including for FIFO families.

What if I am in crisis or feel unsafe?

Discovery Family Therapy is not a crisis service. If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, call 000, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Please tell us about any safety concerns when you book.

Choose your next step

Book a trauma counselling appointment directly, or tell us what has been happening and we will recommend a suitable practitioner and starting point.

Aboriginal flag, accessibility symbol, neurodiversity infinity symbol and Progress Pride flag

Discovery Family Therapy acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country and the lands throughout Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Discovery Family Therapy is not a crisis service. If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, call 000. Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 1300 555 788 (Perth) or 1800 676 822 (Peel) · Lifeline: 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467.

© 2021 Discovery Family Therapy · ACA & AHPRA registered practitioners