Sexual Abuse Psychologists and Therapists in Burwood, VIC
I'm Sanduni, a psychologist and South Asian Woman of Colour with over 10 years of experience in the mental health sector. I started Insession Counselling to provide therapy to people from all cultural backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Navigating my own experiences of marginalisation and intersectionality as a queer Sri-Lankan woman has allowed me to truly understand how culture, gender and sexuality shape so much of who we are and how we experience relationships. I combine this lived experience with evidence-based psychological interventions so that the therapy you receive is tailored specifically to you.
I'm Sanduni, a psychologist and South Asian Woman of Colour with over 10 years of experience in the mental health sector. I started Insession Counselling to provide therapy to people from all cultural backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. Navigating my own experiences of marginalisation and intersectionality as a queer Sri-Lankan woman has allowed me to truly understand how culture, gender and sexuality shape so much of who we are and how we experience relationships. I combine this lived experience with evidence-based psychological interventions so that the therapy you receive is tailored specifically to you.
Are you experiencing low mood, finding it hard to stop worrying and feeling dissatisfied with the quality of your relationships or unhappy with your personal or working life? With the busyness of our lives and the pressures and demands we all face daily, our emotional wellbeing is an area which can be neglected. However, there comes a time when we know that it is time to stop and take some action to turn our life around. Counselling with me can help you with the skills and strategies you need to make changes and choices which will allow you to find the satisfaction you seek in the key areas of your life.
Are you experiencing low mood, finding it hard to stop worrying and feeling dissatisfied with the quality of your relationships or unhappy with your personal or working life? With the busyness of our lives and the pressures and demands we all face daily, our emotional wellbeing is an area which can be neglected. However, there comes a time when we know that it is time to stop and take some action to turn our life around. Counselling with me can help you with the skills and strategies you need to make changes and choices which will allow you to find the satisfaction you seek in the key areas of your life.
Feeling overwhelmed by life? I am a warm, skilled and experienced counsellor, who will support you through life's challenges, I can help you deal with a broad range of concerns, supporting you to examine your core beliefs and understanding of issues affecting you. Adjusting thoughts, feelings and behaviours through evidence-based counselling techniques creates opportunities for authentic growth and long-lasting change. I will support you in adopting and maintaining effective approaches to any difficulties that your'e experiencing, creating a renewed sense of optimism and well-being.
Feeling overwhelmed by life? I am a warm, skilled and experienced counsellor, who will support you through life's challenges, I can help you deal with a broad range of concerns, supporting you to examine your core beliefs and understanding of issues affecting you. Adjusting thoughts, feelings and behaviours through evidence-based counselling techniques creates opportunities for authentic growth and long-lasting change. I will support you in adopting and maintaining effective approaches to any difficulties that your'e experiencing, creating a renewed sense of optimism and well-being.
Renee Melges is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has over 25 years experience working as a Psychologist and combines eastern and western philosophies to assist the client to maximise their potential and facilitate personal growth. Renee Melges provides Online and In person Holistic Counselling for adults, adolescents and primary school children across Australia. Renee Melges specialises in mood and anxiety disorders.
Renee Melges is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has over 25 years experience working as a Psychologist and combines eastern and western philosophies to assist the client to maximise their potential and facilitate personal growth. Renee Melges provides Online and In person Holistic Counselling for adults, adolescents and primary school children across Australia. Renee Melges specialises in mood and anxiety disorders.
Many of my clients feel overwhelmed by past experiences, stuck in patterns they can’t shift, or unsure how to heal old emotional wounds. They are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress that affect all areas of their lives including their relationships and work. They want relief, clarity, and a sense of inner calm and confidence. They’re seeking a safe, supportive space to understand themselves, process trauma, and reconnect with what matters to them.
Many of my clients feel overwhelmed by past experiences, stuck in patterns they can’t shift, or unsure how to heal old emotional wounds. They are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress that affect all areas of their lives including their relationships and work. They want relief, clarity, and a sense of inner calm and confidence. They’re seeking a safe, supportive space to understand themselves, process trauma, and reconnect with what matters to them.
You might be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or at a point of change. At times, there can be a sense that something isn’t quite working, even if it’s difficult to put into words.
Many of the people I work with are seeking not just relief from symptoms, but a deeper understanding of themselves and their experience.
I work with adults and adolescents, supporting concerns such as anxiety, life transitions, trauma, identity, and relationships. My approach is collaborative and relational, offering a space to reflect, explore, and make sense of what is happening beneath the surface.
You might be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or at a point of change. At times, there can be a sense that something isn’t quite working, even if it’s difficult to put into words.
Many of the people I work with are seeking not just relief from symptoms, but a deeper understanding of themselves and their experience.
I work with adults and adolescents, supporting concerns such as anxiety, life transitions, trauma, identity, and relationships. My approach is collaborative and relational, offering a space to reflect, explore, and make sense of what is happening beneath the surface.
Kim is a registered psychologist with over 10 years of experience delivering therapy and assessments to diverse populations across the lifespan. She utilises Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based modalities to help individuals meet their unique mental health goals.
Kim is a registered psychologist with over 10 years of experience delivering therapy and assessments to diverse populations across the lifespan. She utilises Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based modalities to help individuals meet their unique mental health goals.
More Therapists Nearby
I enjoy working with all kinds of adults and the multitude of difficulties we humans face in our lives and relationships.
But my particular skill is in working with people who believe that what they carry is too complex for anyone to help but somehow keep looking for someone who can.
I often attract people who need a therapist who both understands "mental illness" through the psychiatric system lens and sees the "symptoms" people experience not as problems but as unique survival adaptations we do not yet understand.
I'm happy to work with people who experience suicidality and dissociation and who want to make sense of psychosis.
I enjoy working with all kinds of adults and the multitude of difficulties we humans face in our lives and relationships.
But my particular skill is in working with people who believe that what they carry is too complex for anyone to help but somehow keep looking for someone who can.
I often attract people who need a therapist who both understands "mental illness" through the psychiatric system lens and sees the "symptoms" people experience not as problems but as unique survival adaptations we do not yet understand.
I'm happy to work with people who experience suicidality and dissociation and who want to make sense of psychosis.
Please use email for any inquiries, including booking an appointment. While I am passionate about helping my clients with difficulties such as depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks and low self esteem, I also have a special interest in treating difficulties related to recent and past trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD, recurring nightmares, dissociation, adult survivors of childhood neglect and abuse, and long term unhelpful patterns of relationship and/or behaviour.
Please use email for any inquiries, including booking an appointment. While I am passionate about helping my clients with difficulties such as depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks and low self esteem, I also have a special interest in treating difficulties related to recent and past trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD, recurring nightmares, dissociation, adult survivors of childhood neglect and abuse, and long term unhelpful patterns of relationship and/or behaviour.
Many of us feel like we are not good enough, overwhelmed by love, or afraid to be truly seen. We may long to connect with our partners but fear rejection, feel intense anger, or find ourselves constantly pleasing others to feel worthy. These struggles can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck. But these feelings aren’t who we are — they’re parts of us trying to protect us from pain or danger, shaped by our past. These parts of us are trying to keep us safe, even if their methods feel overwhelming. I can provide opportunities to gently explore, connect to and understand these parts and their underlaying pain.
Many of us feel like we are not good enough, overwhelmed by love, or afraid to be truly seen. We may long to connect with our partners but fear rejection, feel intense anger, or find ourselves constantly pleasing others to feel worthy. These struggles can leave us feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck. But these feelings aren’t who we are — they’re parts of us trying to protect us from pain or danger, shaped by our past. These parts of us are trying to keep us safe, even if their methods feel overwhelming. I can provide opportunities to gently explore, connect to and understand these parts and their underlaying pain.
I am passionate about supporting and helping individuals, families who feel trapped in their trauma symptoms. I am Somatic Experiencing, Accredited EMDR and Havening Practitioner. I support people with Complex PTSD issues. There is a common belief that the trauma is the result of individual's thinking pattern, which is misleading. Any traumatic experiences registered somatically, therefore the trauma work will be somatically oriented, which aims to clear the symptoms from the whole system.
I am passionate about supporting and helping individuals, families who feel trapped in their trauma symptoms. I am Somatic Experiencing, Accredited EMDR and Havening Practitioner. I support people with Complex PTSD issues. There is a common belief that the trauma is the result of individual's thinking pattern, which is misleading. Any traumatic experiences registered somatically, therefore the trauma work will be somatically oriented, which aims to clear the symptoms from the whole system.
I support people who have experienced sexual assault and violence, as well as those who struggle with their mental health, childhood trauma, attachment, relationships, parenting, heartbreak and shame.
Life can be hard to navigate, especially when we face transitions, stressors and/or crises. Counselling can make a difference. I provide non-judgmental, warm and thoughtful support to work towards change through increasing self-awareness, developing interpersonal and self-care skills, as well as processing trauma that may still be impacting your life.
I support people who have experienced sexual assault and violence, as well as those who struggle with their mental health, childhood trauma, attachment, relationships, parenting, heartbreak and shame.
Life can be hard to navigate, especially when we face transitions, stressors and/or crises. Counselling can make a difference. I provide non-judgmental, warm and thoughtful support to work towards change through increasing self-awareness, developing interpersonal and self-care skills, as well as processing trauma that may still be impacting your life.
Hi! I'm Olivia. I’m glad my profile found its way to you. At the heart of my work is a deep belief in the importance of healthy, authentic, and safe relationships. Life’s challenges can sometimes disconnect us from ourselves, affecting every part of our lives. Through the therapeutic relationship, we can explore and heal, helping you reconnect with yourself- an essential foundation for all relationships.
Hi! I'm Olivia. I’m glad my profile found its way to you. At the heart of my work is a deep belief in the importance of healthy, authentic, and safe relationships. Life’s challenges can sometimes disconnect us from ourselves, affecting every part of our lives. Through the therapeutic relationship, we can explore and heal, helping you reconnect with yourself- an essential foundation for all relationships.
I held a counsellor role at a rights-based sex worker organisation and I continue trauma-specific counselling at a sexual assault centre.
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the community sector. Having worked in both urban and regional locations in Australia, and in community-based roles in the UK and Canada, I pride myself on being able to connect with people from all walks of life. I've worked with people of all genders, sexualities, cultures and abilities. Whilst working on Vancouver Island, I ran addictions support groups made up of an assortment of individuals. Homeless folks would be facing similar issues to investment banker-types. This led to me becoming more interested in the universality of trauma and PTSD.
I held a counsellor role at a rights-based sex worker organisation and I continue trauma-specific counselling at a sexual assault centre.
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the community sector. Having worked in both urban and regional locations in Australia, and in community-based roles in the UK and Canada, I pride myself on being able to connect with people from all walks of life. I've worked with people of all genders, sexualities, cultures and abilities. Whilst working on Vancouver Island, I ran addictions support groups made up of an assortment of individuals. Homeless folks would be facing similar issues to investment banker-types. This led to me becoming more interested in the universality of trauma and PTSD.
I've worked in correctional services, and various community sectors namely, disadvantaged and marginalised youth, AOD, homelessness, unemployment, sexual assault and family violence.
I believe that we are all unique and experience the world differently in our own special way. Therefore, I do not use a one size fits all counselling approach but adopt different strategies and techniques to provide the most effective treatment for my clients. I use a culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to guide my practice.
I've worked in correctional services, and various community sectors namely, disadvantaged and marginalised youth, AOD, homelessness, unemployment, sexual assault and family violence.
I believe that we are all unique and experience the world differently in our own special way. Therefore, I do not use a one size fits all counselling approach but adopt different strategies and techniques to provide the most effective treatment for my clients. I use a culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to guide my practice.
Penny McDonald Psychology
Psychologist, PsyBA General
Carlton North, VIC 3054
Waitlist for new clients
I am a registered psychologist with 20 years' experience providing therapy to individuals who have experienced a range of issues including sexual assault, family violence, grief and loss, other significant traumas, depression and anxiety, and relational issues.
I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level Two and work with the different parts of self that helped us survive through traumatic experiences. This combined with somatic/body-based work and drawing from other modalities such as ACT and CBT to support each individual's recovery. Therapy is tailored to the individual and not 'one size fits all'
I am a registered psychologist with 20 years' experience providing therapy to individuals who have experienced a range of issues including sexual assault, family violence, grief and loss, other significant traumas, depression and anxiety, and relational issues.
I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level Two and work with the different parts of self that helped us survive through traumatic experiences. This combined with somatic/body-based work and drawing from other modalities such as ACT and CBT to support each individual's recovery. Therapy is tailored to the individual and not 'one size fits all'
Brooke is passionate about providing assessment and therapy that is evidence based, ethical, flexible, informative and personalised to the individual’s needs. She uses a trauma informed and culturally inclusive lens drawing on her training and expertise in Psychological Assessment, Trauma Focused Cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) ,Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) , Narrative Therapy, Sensory Motor Psychotherapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Creative Art therapy.
Brooke is passionate about providing assessment and therapy that is evidence based, ethical, flexible, informative and personalised to the individual’s needs. She uses a trauma informed and culturally inclusive lens drawing on her training and expertise in Psychological Assessment, Trauma Focused Cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) ,Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) , Narrative Therapy, Sensory Motor Psychotherapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Creative Art therapy.
I also work with women who have experienced sexual abuse, assault, and rape.
You’ve always been the one who holds it all together: for your children, your partner, your family.
Now you’re quietly falling apart. Perhaps you’re coping with the pain of estrangement, the aftermath of a controlling or emotionally abusive relationship, or the exhaustion of trying to keep everyone else afloat while ignoring your own needs. On the outside, you seem capable; inside, you feel anxious, alone, or disconnected. The old strategies like perfectionism, people-pleasing and staying silent aren’t working anymore.
I also work with women who have experienced sexual abuse, assault, and rape.
You’ve always been the one who holds it all together: for your children, your partner, your family.
Now you’re quietly falling apart. Perhaps you’re coping with the pain of estrangement, the aftermath of a controlling or emotionally abusive relationship, or the exhaustion of trying to keep everyone else afloat while ignoring your own needs. On the outside, you seem capable; inside, you feel anxious, alone, or disconnected. The old strategies like perfectionism, people-pleasing and staying silent aren’t working anymore.
My approach is warm, client-centred, and compassionate. I prioritise a safe, non-judgemental space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. I draw on Internal Family Systems, Schema Therapy, ACT, and strengths-based approaches to help you understand your protective patterns and "parts" that have developed through life experience.
My approach is warm, client-centred, and compassionate. I prioritise a safe, non-judgemental space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. I draw on Internal Family Systems, Schema Therapy, ACT, and strengths-based approaches to help you understand your protective patterns and "parts" that have developed through life experience.
I have over 20 years experience working with individuals, adults, teens, children and families and have qualifications in Art Therapy, Family Therapy and have many years experience working in sexual assault recovery and trauma-informed practice.
I am passionate about working collaboratively and believe in balancing honesty with warmth and care, being straight forward as well as gentle, kind and non-judgemental. I work client-centred, with unconditional positive regard and allow each perspective to be heard, valued and taken seriously. I support each individual to explore their own unique way of being in this world, with all its challenges and rewards. I invite you to embrace a journey of self-discovery and growth in a safe, supportive environment where your voice matters.
I have over 20 years experience working with individuals, adults, teens, children and families and have qualifications in Art Therapy, Family Therapy and have many years experience working in sexual assault recovery and trauma-informed practice.
I am passionate about working collaboratively and believe in balancing honesty with warmth and care, being straight forward as well as gentle, kind and non-judgemental. I work client-centred, with unconditional positive regard and allow each perspective to be heard, valued and taken seriously. I support each individual to explore their own unique way of being in this world, with all its challenges and rewards. I invite you to embrace a journey of self-discovery and growth in a safe, supportive environment where your voice matters.
Nearby Sexual Abuse Therapists Searches for Burwood
- Ashburton
- Balwyn
- Blackburn
- Box Hill
- Box Hill North
- Camberwell
- Chadstone
- Glen Iris
- Hawthorn East
- Malvern East
- Mount Waverley
- Surrey Hills
Sexual Abuse Therapists
How do therapists treat sexual abuse?
A good therapist will be nonjudgmental and possibly demonstrate active listening, repeating back what the client says to show that they have understood. These skills allow people to feel comfortable discussing their traumatic experiences openly. Some important treatment goals are to restore a sense of safety and to rebuild confidence. In addition to working one-on-one with the patient, a therapist might bring in supportive family members to assist the client.
Do you have to talk extensively about sexual abuse in therapy?
Survivors frequently find it difficult to describe what happened to them out loud. They can even still be in a state of denial if the sexual abuse occurred recently. It is important for survivors to acknowledge that what happened isn’t their fault and to challenge and reappraise any unhealthy feelings or thoughts as they arise. Art therapy and play therapy are useful non-verbal means of communication for some survivors.
How long does treatment for sexual abuse take?
Recovery from sexual abuse can be a long and difficult process. Some survivors are able to move on naturally on their own, given time, while others require the guidance of a trained therapist. Therapy needs vary and can range from a few sessions to months or even years. Healing from sexual abuse takes time, and everyone’s journey will look a little different.
Can trauma symptoms caused by sexual abuse come back after treatment?
As occurs in many cases of trauma, survivors of sexual abuse may experience PTSD-like symptoms long after the abuse has ceased or after an initial round of treatment has occurred. In such a case, there is evidence that prolonged exposure therapy is a useful treatment for survivors, and may be more efficacious than supportive counseling alone. While triggers may continue to cause distress, the idea is that, with time and repeated exposure, their power will fade, allowing survivors to move on with their lives.