Trauma Counselling in Australia: Reflections on NAIDOC Week and Seeking out further counselling
How can trauma counselling in Australia better support First Nations people through culturally sensitive care? It starts with acknowledging the ongoing effects of colonisation, intergenerational trauma, and systemic disadvantage. Culturally sensitive counselling for trauma involves listening to lived experiences, respecting cultural knowledge, and adapting therapeutic approaches to align with community values.
This article explores the mental health impacts of complex trauma on First Nations people, the barriers to seeking support, and how culturally informed practices can faciliate safety and healing.
Reflecting on NAIDOC Week: The Ongoing Importance of Culturally Sensitive Care
NAIDOC Week is a time to honour the history, cultures, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It invites us to reflect on Australia’s shared story and recognise the strength, resilience, and ongoing challenges faced by First Nations communities.
For those of us in mental health, NAIDOC Week also serves as a meaningful reminder. Trauma counselling in Australia cannot be separated from history. The effects of colonisation, including the Stolen Generations, displacement, and systemic discrimination, have led to deep, intergenerational trauma that still shapes the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.
Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care is not a niche practice, but a necessary foundation. It begins with listening, with humility, and with an awareness that healing looks different across cultures. NAIDOC Week may be passing soon, but the need for culturally respectful therapy continues year-round.
How can we engage with NAIDOC Week?
Participating in NAIDOC Week offers an opportunity to listen, learn, and show support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Some gentle ways to engage during and beyond the week include:
Attending local events such as festivals, exhibitions, and community gatherings. Many councils and organisations share details online.
Learning from First Nations voices through books, documentaries, podcasts, and storytelling.
Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses by choosing products and services created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Standing for equity and self-determination by staying informed on policies and initiatives that affect First Nations communities.
Taking time for personal reflection on your own assumptions and exploring what it means to contribute to a more inclusive and respectful society.
Engagement is not limited to one week each year. It’s part of an ongoing commitment to listening with care and responding with respect.
What are the mental health impacts of complex trauma on First Nations people?
Complex trauma, often the result of prolonged or repeated exposure to harm, has profound and lasting effects on the mental health of many First Nations people in Australia. The impacts of colonisation, forced removal, and systemic discrimination have contributed to intergenerational trauma that continues to shape the emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Some common mental health impacts of complex trauma include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Symptoms include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional numbing.
Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.
Anxiety: Excessive worry, fear, and panic.
Substance abuse: Using alcohol or drugs to cope with trauma symptoms.
Self-harm and suicide: Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Relationship difficulties: Challenges with trust, intimacy, and communication.
Physical health problems: Increased risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems.
Addressing the mental health impacts of complex trauma requires a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach. This involves early intervention for children and families, access to trauma-informed care that recognises the ongoing effects of trauma, and culturally appropriate therapy delivered by practitioners who understand First Nations experiences. Community-based, Indigenous-led programs also play a vital role in promoting healing and long-term wellbeing. Together, these approaches help create safer, more supportive pathways to recovery.
What are the barriers to treatment seeking and engagement for trauma survivors?
Many people living with trauma face significant barriers to accessing support. These barriers often fall into three broad areas: systemic, interpersonal, and personal. For First Nations people, these challenges are further formed by historical and cultural contexts, including the limited trust in mainstream healthcare systems.
Systemic barriers may include:
Limited access to affordable, culturally appropriate care, particularly in rural or remote communities.
Long waiting periods can discourage people who are already unsure about seeking support.
Experiences of discrimination or exclusion based on race, gender, or identity, within services or in broader society.
Interpersonal barriers can involve:
A lack of supportive relationships or feeling isolated from family, friends, or community.
Fear of being judged or dismissed, especially when past experiences have been minimised or disbelieved.
Difficulties with trust are often shaped by past experiences of harm or betrayal.
Personal barriers may include:
Feelings of shame or guilt can prevent someone from reaching out for help.
Avoidance or minimising, where pushing the trauma aside feels like the only way to cope.
Uncertainty about what support might help, or not recognising how trauma is affecting daily life.
Addressing these barriers takes time, care, and a commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed practice. For First Nations clients, this includes recognising the context of intergenerational trauma and working in ways that honour cultural knowledge, autonomy, and lived experience.
What are the common barriers to treatment seeking and engagement for women with complex trauma histories?
Women with complex trauma histories often face layered barriers to seeking support. The barriers can feel both external and deeply personal. You might have faced care that wasn’t culturally safe, felt dismissed in past sessions, or struggled to find therapy that truly understood your experience.
Then there are the quieter challenges—the shame, the self-blame, the fear of being judged or not believed. These feelings can linger, making it hard to open up or stay with the process, even when you know support is needed.
That’s why trauma-informed care matters. It’s about creating a space that feels safe enough to return to. A space where your story is met with respect, not assumptions. Where care is consistent, gentle, and centred on your pace and needs. Healing starts there.
How can we continue to support First Nations people beyond NAIDOC Week?
Beyond NAIDOC Week, supporting First Nations' wellbeing includes helping to create safe, culturally appropriate pathways to trauma counselling and mental health care. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, trauma is layered, shaped by history, community, and personal experience. Encouraging access to support means recognising these complexities and removing barriers with care.
Reaching out for Support: Accessing Trauma Support
NAIDOC Week presents a critical moment for reflection, but healing is an ongoing process, and support should be as well. For First Nations individuals living with the weight of complex trauma, finding a therapeutic space that feels safe, culturally aware, and genuinely respectful can make all the difference.
At CCL Therapy, we offer discreet, trauma counselling for those navigating the long echoes of prolonged trauma, emotional stress, or challenges with alcohol, relationships, or identity. You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to explain everything from the start. Our therapists work with care, humility, and quiet strength, giving space to explore, unpack, and reconnect on your terms.
If you're ready to take a step toward support,please get in touch.