Healing from childhood trauma is possible given appropriate support, time, and commitment.

I retrained in counselling, mental health and art therapy because art therapy combined with focused sessions with a supportive therapist enabled me to reach a place of inner peace and improved wellbeing. I believe this deep healing is in reach for all survivors.

For survivors of child abuse, the trauma might still be locked in the body ("The Body Remembers" Babette Rothschild), emotional awareness might be limited and emotional pain a reality, thriving in relationships feel unachievable, and making sense of it all feel exhausting, if not too painful, to contemplate. This affects not only your relationships but your energy levels, your ability to be financially independent, to maintain good physical health, and engage with the outside world in any meaningful way.

As a facilitator of a support group for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse since 2011 I got exposed to a wide range of needs and paths towards healing. The question often came up: How do you choose a therapist? The answer offered many perspectives and contrasting experiences with the same professionals! It proved that it is all about your needs and whilst you can make a list of what matters to you in terms of cost, location, availability, ultimately it is your relationship with the counsellor which matters and it starts with a first encounter whether on the phone, online, or face-to-face.

I believe the relationship with the therapist has to be one of equal respect, of total non-judgment, and acceptance of your reality so that trust develops over time. It will be a place to experience secure relationships, become aware of your way of relating and learn new ways, learn skills to make sense of what is deeply affecting your wellbeing, grow your inner confidence and use it as your trusted guide in your life choices.

The health professionals, retreats, therapies, and workshops herelisted were included when one of the ASCA Cowra support group members reported a positive experience with the service or professional. This does not mean it will work for you. The details were accurate at the time of inclusion in the list. I.T. Matters(Aus) does not guarantee the accuracy of these details overtime. If you come across any inaccuracy, please use the Contact area to let us know. Thank you.

• General Practitioners:
  
  Mental Health Plan available to victims of sexual assault or sexual abuse. Discuss details with your GP.
  
  
• Kinesiologists:
  
  
  • Tory Davidson, Young, NSW. See her profile here.
  
  
• Naturopaths:
  
  
  • Angela Duncan, Orange, NSW.
    First included: 2013
    
    
  • Liza Twohill at Liza Twohill Holistic Health, Dubbo, NSW.
    First included: 2020
  
  
• Physiotherapists:
  
  
  • Andrea at Facilitate Physo, Cowra, NSW: 0416 786 425
    First included: 2024
  
  
• Psychologists / Counsellors:
  
  
  • Jo Meredith, clinical psychologist, Young, NSW.
    First included: 2011
    
    
  • Psych Solutions, Melissa Theobald, Orange, NSW: (02) 6360 3551
    First included: 17 January 2021
    
    
  • Pascale Stendell, art therapist (dip. CECAT), Cowra NSW: 0458 698 460
    First included: 27 March 2025
    
    
  • Theresa Sharp, sexual assault counsellor, Bathurst Community Health, NSW: (02) 6330 5646.
  
  
• Retreats:
  
  
  • Heal for Life which used to be known as mayumarri when it was recommended by one of the members of the support group in Cowra, NSW
  
  
• Therapies:
  
  
  • Art Therapy: Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses visual and tactile media as a means of self expression and communication. Art therapists aim to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life, to discover an outlet for often complex and confusing feelings, and foster self awareness and growth." Art therapy has nothing to do with art. It is the process of art making and what it means to you which heals, not the artistic value of the end product. So all art abilities are welcome.
    
    
  • CBT: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems.
    
    
  • DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: One such course used to run at Cadia House in Orange, NSW but is no longer available.
    
    
  • EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Re-processing, a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.
    
    
  • Mindfulness courses: Example, in Forbes, NSW, with Peta Patten.
    
    
  • Psychodrama: an action method, often used as a psychotherapy, in which clients use spontaneous dramatization, role playing, and dramatic self-presentation to investigate and gain insight into their lives.
  
  
• Free educational Workshops for survivors and/or carers:
  
  
  • run by Blue Knot Foundation.
    
    
  • run by Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN).
    
    
  
  

The details of the organisations, websites, and helplines herelisted were accurate at the time of inclusion in the list. I.T. Matters(Aus) does not guarantee the accuracy of these details overtime. If you come across any inaccuracy, please use the Contact area to let us know. Thank you.

• Blue Knot Foundation: The organisation also runs workshops for survivors, carers, and health professionals, and offers many resources including Fact Sheets, Books, etc.; Helpline: 1300 657 380 Also find the Facts and Figures page on Child Abuse.
  
  
• Headspace Cowra, for young people aged 12-25: 02 6341 5800. eheadspace provides free and confidential online and telephone support for anyone aged 12-25 years old.
  
  
• Mental Health Information and Support Service: 1800 011 511
  
  
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
  
  
• Rape Crisis Centre: 1800 424 017
  
  
• Other Organisations:
  
  
  • Act For Kids aims at preventing and treating child abuse and neglect.
    
    
  • Australian Childhood foundation also includes resources to support carers.
    
    
  • Birchtree Centre offers many services to support survivors of child abuse.
    
    
  • Brave Hearts whose Mission is to prevent child sexual assault and exploitation in our society.
    
    
  • Cara House offering many services including counselling and group work programs that support family re-connection and restoration.
    
    
  • Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS), their SAFE program and their resources.
    
    
  • The Daniel Morcombe Foundation includes many educational resources to educate children and young people about how to stay safe in physical and online environments and to support young victims of crime.
    
    
  • DV Connect: QLD service; includes women's helpline: 1800 811 811; men's helpline: 1800 600 636, and an RSPCA service which can be used to look after pets whilst in a refuge or safe house. (Pets are often misused to maintain abuse or delay departure from abusive relationships).
    
    
  • Living well:Queensland based service to men.
    
    
  • MHPN: Mental Health Professional Network which focuses on building networks of mental health professionals across Australia and also provides webinars for anyone to attend. Access previous seminars online.
    
    Complex Trauma series:
    Part One: GP presentation: Recognising and Responding to Complex Trauma
    Part Two: Psychologist presentation: Recognising, Screening and Assessing Complex Trauma
    Part Three: Working Therapeutically with Complex Trauma
    
    
  • NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence is a NSW government Health organisation providing courses, and resources to address violence. Some of their booklets include:
    
    
    • Recovering From Adult Sexual Assault - NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY: A resource for women, their family and friends (2013). ISBN: 1 876969 15 6 >> access a local copy
      
      
    • Sharing the Unshareable: A resource for women on recovering from child sexual abuse (2013). ISBN: 1876969 172 >> access a local copy
      
      
    • When a Man is Raped: Information for men who have been raped, their parents, partner's, spouses and friends (2013). ISBN: 1-87696907 >> access a local copy
      
      
    • Who Can a Man Tell: Information for men who were sexually assaulted as children, their parents, spouses and friends (2014). ISBN: 1-876109106 >> access a local copy
    
    
    
  • Protective Behaviours is an organisation focusing on educating for prevention of child abuse.
    
    
  • SANE and their Suicide Prevention and Recovery Guide SANE Australia 2013.
    
    
  • Service Assisting Male Survivors Of Sexual Assault: Australian Capital Territory based service to men.
    
    
  • Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) offers support and group workshops for male survivors and their mates and carers.
    
    
  • Survivors of Incest Anonymous for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Their method to heal is based on AA (Alcoholic Anonymous).
    
    
  • Suicide Callback Service: Suicide Call Back Service is funded by the Australia Government Department of Health. Helpline: 1300 659 467.
    
    Suicide Call Back Service provides phone and online counselling for anyone who is struggling with situations in their life, from feeling low or stressed to the more complex issues of suicidal thoughts and grief arising from suicide. Feeling suicidal is itself a painful experience, but it is not something you have to bear alone. Reaching out for help is an important step towards getting the help you need to keep yourself safe. Suicide Call Back Service has a number of resources available that can help you through this difficult time. If it is an emergency call 000.
    
    
  • ThinkUKnow is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Commonwealth Bank, Datacom and Microsoft, and delivered in partnership with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.
    ThinkUKnow is a national program delivering online child safety information in schools and organisations to parents, carers, teachers and students from the first year of school to Year 12. Emphasis is placed on parents to maintain good communication with their children so that cyber abuse, bullying, and worst case scenarios of abduction and sexual abuse do not occur.
    
    
  • Way Ahead: Directory of mental health services in New South Wales.
    
    

The below organisations offer support groups for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse:


• Adult Survivors of Child Abuse - Cowra Support Group. Open to survivors of ALL communities.
  
  
• Survivors and Mates Support Network