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What to expect at your first appointmentJul 11, 2025![]()
What to expect at your first appointmentJul 11, 2025![]()
How to Cope with Re-Entry AnxietyJun 10, 2025![]()
Health AnxietyMay 10, 2025
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- About
Support for Domestic & Family Violence
Domestic and family violence affects people from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life. It’s a pattern of controlling, coercive and abusive behaviour that can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse. If you’re experiencing or have experienced domestic or family violence, it’s important to know that it’s not your fault and help is available.
Recognising Domestic & Family Violence
Domestic and family violence can have profound impacts on mental health, parenting, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re currently in an unsafe situation, have recently left, or are dealing with the long-term effects of past abuse, specialised support can help you heal and rebuild your life safely.
Domestic and family violence takes many forms and may include:
- Physical violence such as hitting, pushing, or threatening with weapons
- Emotional and psychological abuse including constant criticism, humiliation, or threats
- Sexual abuse or coercion, including marital rape
- Financial abuse such as controlling money, preventing work, or creating debt
- Social isolation by controlling contact with friends, family, or support services
- Stalking or harassment, including through technology and social media
- Threats against children, pets, or other family members
- Controlling behaviours around daily activities, appearance, or decisions
- Spiritual or cultural abuse that misuses religious or cultural beliefs
- Gaslighting or making you question your own reality and memories
Violence often escalates over time and can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy or when attempting to leave the relationship.
Understanding the Impact
Domestic and family violence can have wide-ranging effects on survivors:
- Physical injuries, chronic pain, or ongoing health problems
- Post-traumatic stress including flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance
- Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
- Loss of self-esteem, confidence, and sense of identity
- Difficulty trusting others or forming healthy relationships
- Parenting challenges and concerns about children’s wellbeing
- Financial hardship and housing instability
- Social isolation and loss of support networks
- Workplace difficulties or impact on education
- Substance use as a coping mechanism
These impacts are normal responses to abnormal and traumatic situations. Healing and recovery are possible with appropriate support.
Specialised Support and Treatment
Recovery from domestic and family violence requires specialised, trauma-informed care that prioritises safety. At Seed Psychology, our experienced psychologists understand the complex dynamics of domestic violence and provide evidence-based treatments including Trauma-Focused CBT and safety planning support.
Specialised therapy can help you:
- Develop comprehensive safety planning strategies
- Process trauma and reduce symptoms of PTSD
- Rebuild self-esteem and reclaim your sense of identity
- Develop healthy relationship skills and boundaries
- Address parenting concerns and support children’s healing
- Navigate legal and practical challenges
- Build a support network and access community resources
- Develop coping strategies for ongoing challenges
- Plan for your future with confidence and hope
We understand that seeking help takes enormous courage, and we’re committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space that respects your autonomy and choices.
You Deserve Safety and Support
Domestic and family violence is never acceptable, and it’s never your fault. You deserve to live free from violence and fear, and to have relationships built on respect and equality.
Our compassionate, trauma-informed team at Seed Psychology is here to support you on your journey to safety and healing. We understand the unique challenges faced by survivors and are committed to walking alongside you at your own pace.
If you’re in immediate danger, please call 000. For 24/7 support, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au
Connect with us to book an appointment with a psychologist in our Brunswick clinic or via telehealth Australia-wide.
Through connection,
change is possible
Our compassionate team at Seed Psychology is here to help you regain your wellbeing and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity. Connect with us to book an appointment with a psychologist in our Brunswick clinic or via telehealth Australia-wide.
Available resources
Meet our amazing team of therapists
Our diverse team of psychologists offer individual, couples, and online therapy, as well as assessments. Beyond their expertise, they bring humanity and care, providing respectful, affirming support tailored to each person’s unique experience.
Freqeuently asked questions
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Therapy is a shared process. While your Psychologist brings expertise, insight, and support, the most meaningful outcomes often come when you’re actively engaged in your own growth. This means being open and honest during sessions, reflecting between appointments, and being willing to try new approaches-even when it feels challenging. Therapy can take time, and progress isn’t always linear, but your commitment matters. Here are some ways to support your journey:
- Be open and honest with your Psychologist, even (and especially) if something feels hard to say.
- Give feedback if something doesn’t feel right or if your needs change.
- Stay open to exploring new ideas and practices within a safe, supportive space.
- Take notes or keep a journal to reflect on insights or patterns between sessions.
- Try to attend regularly-consistency is key to building momentum.
- Be kind to yourself. Growth can be uncomfortable at times, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
- Invest in your wellbeing outside of therapy by building habits and routines that nourish you.
Therapy is a courageous act of self-investment. By showing up and staying engaged, you create space for real and lasting change.
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Our experienced team of Psychologists offers warm, evidence-based support that’s collaborative, inclusive and grounded in genuine understanding. We provide individual, relationship or family therapy for a wide range of concerns. Additionally, we offer couples therapy, online therapy, psychological assessments (including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Assessments), and workshops.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long therapy takes. At Seed Psychology, we tailor each intervention to your individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Some people come to therapy to navigate a specific challenge, like managing anxiety, adjusting to a life transition, or processing a relationship difficulty. Others may be seeking deeper emotional growth or support for longer-term concerns. Because of this, the number of sessions can vary. Many clients attend between 6 and 18 sessions, though some need fewer and others continue for longer. Your Psychologist will discuss an estimated treatment plan with you after your initial assessment and continue checking in over time to ensure it feels helpful and aligned with your goals. Ultimately, the pace and duration of therapy is something we navigate together, guided by your progress, preferences, and what feels right for you.
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Consultations with a psychologist last between 50 and 60 minutes.
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At Seed Psychology, your safety and wellbeing are our highest priorities. While we are here to support you through regular therapy sessions, we are not a crisis service and may not be available outside of scheduled appointments. If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger, experiencing a mental health crisis, or needs urgent support, it’s important to seek help straight away through the appropriate emergency or crisis services. You can find a list of trusted organisations and services here that can provide immediate support when you need it most.
Acknowledgment of Country
Our Team at Seed Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
