Dr Anthony Arcuri offers effective, evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of psychological trauma. He has over 10 years’ experience working therapeutically with people experiencing difficulties relating to traumas experienced either recently or early in life, or both.

Recent trauma

The experience or witnessing of a disturbing or threatening event can be highly traumatic for some individuals, and can result in ongoing psychological and emotional difficulties, whether the trauma is experienced once or repeatedly. These traumatic events can include:

1. • Acts of violence (e.g., armed robbery, war, terrorism)
   

2. • Natural disasters (e.g, earthquakes, bushfires, floods)
   

3. • Interpersonal violence (e.g., domestic violence, rape, suicide of a family member or friend)
   

4. • Involvement in an accident (e.g., motor vehicle accident, workplace accident)
   

Although these events commonly evoke distressing symptoms for up to several weeks, sometimes symptoms persist or worsen over time. These symptoms may include (but are not limited to) excessive alertness, flashbacks to the event, avoidance of places/people/activities associated with the event, and anxiety and panic.

In treating the effects of these traumatic experiences, Anthony will often begin by offering structured and practical strategies, guided by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to address some of the symptoms associated with the trauma. When the individual is ready, and the symptoms are more manageable, Anthony may work psychodynamically with the individual to assist in the exploration of the emotional and psychological meanings of the trauma and its impacts.

In any case, the goals and the approach to your therapy would be negotiated between you and Anthony, and reviewed where new understandings come to light.

If you would like to learn more or to arrange an appointment, you are welcome to contact Anthony directly.

Early trauma

Some individuals have experienced traumas in early life that continue to have significant impacts on their emotional, psychological and relational functioning into adulthood. The traumas experienced may range from those described in the above section on recent trauma to those involving repetitive and systematic experiences of sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse.

In these latter cases, because the traumas occurred early in life and may have involved close significant others or caregivers, the individual is likely to have developed emotional and relational coping styles that, while a necessary part of managing distress at the time, may in the present day interfere with one’s capacity to regulate emotional experiences and enjoy fulfilling relationships.

In treating the effects of these traumatic experiences, Anthony will first work with you to develop some goals for the therapy. Depending on these goals, Anthony might initially suggest some structured and practical strategies, guided by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to provide some symptom relief in the shorter term.

In the longer term, Anthony may work with you psychodynamically to assist you better to explore and articulate your range of emotional states; to identify recurring themes and patterns that have painful outcomes; and to understand how your past traumatic experiences impact on your present-day functioning and relationships.

In any case, the goals and the approach to your therapy would be negotiated between you and Anthony, and reviewed where new understandings come to light.

If you would like to learn more or to arrange an appointment, you are welcome to contact Anthony directly.