Trauma Informed Community Counselling Service
The Trauma-Informed Community Counselling Service (TICC), funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, provided support to individuals directly or indirectly affected by the Commission.
This service offered free counselling, art-based therapy, mindfulness, EMDR and DRUMBEAT groups for those requiring a therapeutic response.
TICC catered to those with complex trauma through a flexible and tailored counselling approach, available face-to-face, via video, or by phone. Practitioners in the TICC program used a trauma-informed approach and were equipped to deliver various interventions and supports tailored to meet each client’s individual needs.
A total of 194 clients accessed the service, with many stating they felt connected, safe, heard, and validated. One client mentioned that their feelings and experiences were acknowledged and respected. The client also felt at ease discussing difficult experiences of abuse with their practitioner, which helped them gain insight into themselves and others. This process led to greater self-awareness and improved family relationships.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach used to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. During an EMDR session, an EMDR trained RA Tas practitioner guides the client through recalling distressing memories while simultaneously focusing on external stimuli, such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping. This process helps reframe negative thoughts and emotions associated with the trauma, reducing their impact over time. EMDR is an evidence-based treatment widely used for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and complex trauma, promoting psychological healing and resilience.
Sam’s story
After 20 years of therapy and counselling, Sam attended the RA Tas Trauma Informed Community Counselling program, which had a significant impact on her life “this has been the only thing that has had any real and long-lasting impact“. Sam had become aware of EMDR through a friend who had seen positive results. Witnessing the calming effect it had on the friend, who had similar childhood trauma, prompted her to try EMDR therapy through TICC at RA Tas. The decision was based on the hope that it could offer relief from longstanding emotional distress.
Significant moments in the therapy process included the first session, where Sam experienced a profound shift in perception, after the use of tapping techniques during sessions, noting that it was “powerful“. These sessions contributed to feelings of comfort, relaxation, and healing. “I could feel something change in my brain, the first memory, it was small, but it was a huge one for me. It was a memory of being abandoned. We worked through it, tapping on the legs, I put a different picture to the memory, there was a pillow, a blanket. I now have a warm feeling, I don’t feel so abandoned, I don’t feel the pain, I feel this warm feeling being wrapped in a blanket. Even now, when I do the tapping I have an instant feeling of relaxing, it makes me feel so comfortable.“
The impact of attending TICC has resulted in healing, for the first time in her life Sam has been able to really deal with and change her way of thinking on her childhood trauma. “For the first time, I feel loved and supported… it just helps.”
Sam reflects positively on her experience with TICC emphasising the significance of addressing childhood trauma and circuit breaking generational trauma. “Exceptional… it’s not only impacting on me, but my kids and grandkids, it’s breaking negative family dynamics and patterns. It’s life-changing. I’m so grateful.”
* deidentified to protect the clients identity.