Discover the range of psychological treatments offered by phone or video at myMHC. 

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected. It focuses on recognising unhelpful patterns and building healthier ways to respond. For example, someone with social anxiety might learn to challenge their fear of being judged and gradually build confidence in social situations. CBT is effective for a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem - offering skills that support lasting change and emotional wellbeing.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapies:

Cognitive behaviour therapies are a broad group of psychological treatments that focus on how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact. Below are some of the main therapies, maybe you have heard of some but didn't know they were considered part of the CBT family:

• Cognitive Therapy (CT) – Focuses on challenging distorted thinking patterns.

• Behaviour Therapy – Focuses on changing problematic behaviours through techniques like exposure or reinforcement.

• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) – Targets irrational beliefs to reduce emotional distress.

• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) – Adapted for people with PTSD or trauma histories.
• Polonged Exposure Therapy (PE) - Helps individuals gradually confront trauma memories and avoided situations to reduce PTSD symptoms.
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) - a type of CBT that helps people recover from trauma by identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs related to the traumatic event, such as guilt, shame, or blame.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Integrates CBT with skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness; often used for borderline personality disorder.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Encourages acceptance of thoughts and feelings while committing to personal values.

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - Combines mindfulness practices with traditional CBT, often used for depression relapse prevention.

• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) - Designed for people with high levels of shame or self-criticism; helps develop self-compassion.

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) - Commonly used for OCD.

• Schema Therapy - Combines CBT with elements of attachment theory and psychodynamic therapy for entrenched patterns.

Eye Movement Desensitising and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR therapy is grounded in understanding how the brain processes and stores information in memory. First developed in 1987 by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR has evolved into a structured, eight-phase, evidence-based treatment used to help people recover from trauma and other distressing experiences. While it was initially designed to treat PTSD, growing research now supports its effectiveness for a wide range of mental health concerns.

The theory behind EMDR therapy suggests that psychological distress arises when traumatic or overwhelming experiences aren’t fully processed by the brain. These memories become "stuck" in their original form - along with the strong emotions, body sensations, and beliefs experienced at the time. Traumatic experiences can disrupt the brain’s natural information processing system, leaving people with intense reactions to memories that feel as if they’re still happening. These unprocessed memories can be triggered by present-day situations, leading to ongoing distress.

EMDR therapy can be effective for treating complex trauma, including traumas where important emotional, physical or social needs weren’t met.  This is often the case for those exposed to domestic violence, childhood abuse and neglect, or relentless bullying. These experiences can leave lasting feelings of shame, worthlessness, or disconnection. EMDR Therapy can be enhanced when dealing with complex trauma by integrating parts work, somatic approaches, and polyvagal-informed techniques to support nervous system regulation, foster internal safety, and help process early attachment wounds.

How EMDR Therapy Works:

During EMDR, you are guided by your trained therapist to:

1. Bring a distressing memory to mind

2. Notice the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations associated with it

3. Engage in sets of bilateral stimulation—usually through guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds

4. Let your brain begin to reprocess the memory, until it feels less intense and more resolved
   
   

Many people describe EMDR as helping them feel like the memory has become “distant” or “less emotionally charged”.  An example might be someone who experienced a serious car accident and still feels anxious driving, has flashbacks, or avoids certain roads - even long after any physical injuries have healed.  In EMDR, the person is taught various coping skills and gently guided to revisit the memory in a safe, supported way, using eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. Over time, the emotional intensity of the memory fades, and their beliefs shift from “I’m not safe” to “I got through it and I’m okay now”.  Many clients find they can return to daily activities with more confidence and less fear.

An Important Note About Trauma Therapies

Research suggests that around 70% of people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, yet only about 25% go on to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This means that while trauma is common, most people have the capacity to recover, especially when the right supports are in place. One of the most important protective factors is emotional support at the time of the event, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing long-term difficulties. Studies also show that social support plays a crucial role in how people process trauma and whether it leads to lasting psychological distress*. 

However, many people suffer in silence - never having told anyone about what they have been through.  For these clients, talk therapies like CBT may be beneficial.  It may help them to 'find their voice', have someone witness their pain and acknowledge the impact it has had on their life.  Validating and normalising their responses to an abnormal event is important. It gives them the opportunity to receive the emotional support they possibly didn't get at the time and is an important part of the healing process.

But not everyone can, or wants to, verbalise their traumatic experiences in detail.  Maybe it is far too distressing to think about for long periods, maybe there is a fear losing control, or so many events that it is hard to know where to start.  In these instances, clients may benefit from EMDR therapy, where exposure to trauma memories is done in a targeted way, in small 'bit-size pieces', that can be more tolerable.

The goal of trauma therapy isn’t to erase what’s happened, but to help you feel less distressed by it moving forward. While we can’t undo the past, therapy can reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or intrusive. Recovering from trauma doesn’t mean the events weren’t important - it means they no longer control your present.

Working through trauma takes readiness. No one can be forced to process painful experiences before they feel safe enough to do so and, for many, that begins with building a trusting relationship with their therapist.

People come to trauma therapy because they want relief from the symptoms their past continues to cause, or they want to change unhelpful behaviours in their lives that are causing problems for them or their loved ones. Healing takes courage, and while it may mean feeling some of the pain again, it’s important to remember: the worst part is already over.

* Referrences:   

Benjet, C., Bromet, E., Karam, E. G., et al. (2016). The epidemiology of traumatic event exposure worldwide: results from the World Mental Health Survey Consortium. Psychological Medicine, 46(2), 327–343.

Bonanno, G. A., Westphal, M., & Mancini, A. D. (2011). Resilience to loss and potential trauma. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 511–535.           

Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., et al. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602.

Ozer, E. J., Best, S. R., Lipsey, T. L., & Weiss, D. S. (2003). Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: a meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 129(1), 52–73.

For Military Personnel, Emergency Service Workers & Healthcare Professionals

Prevelance of PTSD:

Australian research highlights that both current and ex-serving military personnel, emergency service workers in paid and volunteer positions, and our healthcare professionals face a significantly higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the general population, primarily due to repeated exposure to traumatic events.  

• Military Personnel:
  Research indicates that the 12-month estimated rate of PTSD among ex-serving ADF members is 17.7%, compared to 8% among currently serving members and 5.7% in the general Australian population (ADF, DVA, Phoneix Australia, ABS). 
• Emergency Service Workers:
  Emergency service workers, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, are routinely exposed to critical incidents. A national survey found a PTSD prevalence rate of 10% among these personnel, with variations across different services: 6% in state emergency services, 8% in ambulance services, 9% in fire and rescue services, and 11% in police (Phoenix Australia). 
• Healthcare Professionals:
  While specific Australian data on PTSD prevalence among healthcare workers is limited, international studies have shown increased PTSD symptoms in this group, especially during high-stress periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors contributing to this include moral distress, high patient mortality, and prolonged exposure to stressful environments.
  
  

Subdromal PTSD:

Subdromal PTSD occurs when a person experiences some, but not all, of the symptoms needed for a formal PTSD diagnosis - yet still suffers significant distress and impairment. In military personnel, emergency service workers, and healthcare professionals, this type of low-grade, subthreshold PTSD is common and due to repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events and high-stress situations. While these symptoms may be less visible or go unreported, they can still affect wellbeing, relationships, and job performance, and may progress to full PTSD if left unaddressed. Early recognition and support are crucial for preventing long-term impacts.

Other Mental Health Concerns

In addition to PTSD, military personnel, healthcare professionals, and emergency service workers are at higher risk for a range of mental health concerns due to repeated exposure to trauma, high-pressure environments, and moral or ethical stressors. Common concerns include:

Depression

• High levels of job stress, burnout, and cumulative trauma contribute to increased rates of major depressive disorder.
• In the ADF, studies have shown depression rates ranging from 9–12% in both serving and ex-serving members.
• Emergency service workers and healthcare staff - especially those working long shifts or witnessing loss of life - are also vulnerable.

Anxiety Disorders

• This includes generalised anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.
• The hypervigilance and unpredictability of frontline roles can heighten chronic worry or physiological arousal.

Alcohol and Substance Use

• Many in high-stress roles use alcohol or other substances as a form of coping.
• In the ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study, problematic drinking patterns were identified in a significant portion of personnel, especially among younger males.

Moral Injury

• Particularly relevant for healthcare workers and military personnel, moral injury refers to psychological distress resulting from actions (or inaction) that violate a person’s moral or ethical code.
• Common in wartime situations or during crisis care (e.g., COVID-19), moral injury may lead to guilt, shame, and spiritual or existential distress.

Burnout

• Especially prevalent in healthcare and emergency services, burnout includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.
• Chronic exposure to suffering, system pressure, and lack of support can increase risk.

Sleep Disorders

• Shift work, night callouts, and hyperarousal contribute to chronic sleep disruption and insomnia, which in turn worsen other mental health conditions.

Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm

• Rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours are elevated in these groups - particularly in veterans and first responders - often linked to untreated PTSD, depression, or moral injury.