Book Now
Click here for all our free resources to address Trauma, Pain, and Chronic Illness

Have you ever felt trapped by your past—like no matter how hard you try, it keeps pulling you back? Maybe you’ve noticed patterns in your relationships or life more broadly: overwhelming emotions that come out of nowhere, a harsh inner voice that won’t let up, or a struggle to feel close to others, even when you want to. If this sounds familiar, you might be living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD)—a condition that’s often hidden in plain sight but can weigh heavily on every part of your being.

At Sydney City Psychology, we see you. We understand how CPTSD can make you feel stuck, isolated, or like you’re fighting an invisible battle. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to face it alone, and healing is within reach. CPTSD is complex, but it’s treatable—and our experienced team is here to guide you with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to your growth. In this post, we’ll explore what CPTSD and attachment trauma are, how it shows up in your life, the powerful therapies that can help, and why recovery is a journey worth taking.

What Is Complex PTSD (CPTSD)?

Complex PTSD develops after prolonged or repeated trauma, often starting in childhood. While PTSD is typically linked to a single event—like a car accident or natural disaster—CPTSD comes from ongoing experiences that chip away at your sense of safety and self over time. These might include:

    • Chronic emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

    • Neglect or abandonment, including emotional neglect even if all your physical needs were well met

    • Growing up in a chaotic, unpredictable, or violent environment

    • Prolonged exposure to danger, like war or captivity, or a sense of being hypervigilant to the behaviour of  one or both parents.

Unlike PTSD, which might leave you reliving a specific moment, CPTSD weaves trauma into the fabric of who you are—shaping how you feel, think, and connect with yourself, others, and the world. It’s not just about what happened; it’s about how those experiences linger, influencing your emotions, self-worth, and relationships long after the trauma has ended.

But here’s what we want you to know: CPTSD isn’t a life sentence. It’s a response to what you’ve endured—not a flaw in who you are. And with the right support, you can untangle its hold and step into a life that feels lighter and more of your own making.

The Signs of CPTSD: How It Shows Up

CPTSD doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Its symptoms can creep into your life quietly, making it hard to pinpoint why you feel the way you do. Here are some of the ways it might show up:

    • Emotional Flashbacks: These aren’t like movie-style flashbacks with vivid images. Instead, they’re sudden, overwhelming feelings—like fear, anxious rage, shame, or despair—that sweep over you, pulling you back to the emotional state of your trauma without warning.
    • Emotional Dysregulation: One minute you’re fine; the next, you’re flooded with anxious anger, sadness, or panic. Or maybe you feel numb, disconnected from your emotions entirely.
    • Negative Self-Concept: CPTSD can leave you with a deep sense of being “broken,” unworthy, or unlovable. That inner critic might be relentless, telling you you’ll never be enough.
    • Relationship Challenges: Trust can feel like a tightrope. You might avoid closeness out of fear of being hurt, or cling too tightly, terrified of abandonment. Either way, connecting with others can feel risky or exhausting.
    • Hypervigilance: Always on guard, scanning for threats—even in safe spaces. It’s like your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.
    • Physical Symptoms: Headaches, upset stomach, fatigue, or a racing heart can tag along, as your body holds onto the stress and fear of the past.

 

These experiences can leave you feeling like you’re surviving rather than living. But they’re not permanent. They’re signals—your mind and body telling you they’ve been through a lot. And with the right tools, you can respond to those signals with care and start to heal.

What Is Attachment Trauma, and How Does It Relate to CPTSD?

Attachment trauma happens when the bonds meant to keep us safe when we are younger—like those with parents, caregivers, even siblings —turn shaky or harmful instead. Maybe you grew up with emotional neglect, where your emotional needs were largely ignored and went unmet, or perhaps you faced unpredictable care—lots of love one day, then painful rejection the next, with no rhyme or reason. Perhaps harsh words or abusive actions left you feeling unworthy. These early wounds don’t just fade away; they shape how you trust, connect, and see yourself and others for the rest of your life. That’s where CPTSD comes in—it’s often the grown-up echo of attachment trauma, carrying those old hurts into your present life.

Think of it like this: when the people who should’ve been your anchor weren’t there for you — or if they were a source of pain and confusion —your sense of safety and trust took a hit. That can show up in CPTSD as struggles with closeness, a fear of being left, or a deep-down belief you’re not enough unless you behave in particular ways (e.g., people pleasing, caretaking others, not asking for much, or overstating your value to others). It’s not your fault; it’s your system adapting to survive. The good news? Understanding this link is a powerful step toward healing. 

Healing CPTSD: A Range of Powerful Approaches

The idea of facing CPTSD might feel daunting, but here’s the empowering truth: it can be treated, and there’s no one-size-fits-all path. At Sydney City Psychology, our team is skilled in a variety of evidence-based therapies tailored to CPTSD and challenges stemming from attachment trauma. These approaches meet you where you are, helping you process the past, rebuild your sense of self, and move forward with confidence. Let’s explore them:

1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR uses guided eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) to help your brain reprocess traumatic memories. Imagine those memories as files stuck in a loop—EMDR helps refile them, reducing their intensity so they no longer hijack your present. It’s especially helpful for easing emotional flashbacks and hypervigilance.

2. Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)

ISTDP is about getting to the heart of your blocked emotions—fast. It’s a focused therapy that helps you break through the walls you’ve built to protect yourself (they were once necessary, but now they are causing suffering), often unconsciously. By facing suppressed feelings like anger or grief, you can release their power over you. This can be transformative for shifting patterns of avoidance or self-sabotage tied to CPTSD.

3. Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS sees your mind as a system of “parts”—like a protective part that keeps you guarded or a wounded part carrying old pain. Through IFS, you learn to listen to these parts with curiosity and compassion, helping them heal. It’s particularly powerful for rebuilding self-worth and soothing that harsh inner critic so common in CPTSD.

4. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

If shame or self-blame feel like constant companions, CFT can be a lifeline. It’s about cultivating kindness toward yourself—learning to treat yourself with the warmth you’d offer a friend. CFT rewires your relationship with yourself, easing the guilt and self-judgment that trauma often leaves behind.

5. Psychodynamic Therapy

This approach digs into the deeper layers of your story—how your past shapes your present beliefs and behaviours. By exploring these roots, you can uncover patterns (like distrust or perfectionism) and rewrite them. It’s ideal for understanding the “why” behind CPTSD symptoms and building lasting change.

Each of these therapies offers a unique way into healing—and often, they work beautifully together. Our team at Sydney City Psychology partners with you to find the right fit, blending approaches as needed to support your journey.

The Road to Recovery: Three Stages of Healing

Recovery from CPTSD and challenges of attachment trauma isn’t a straight line—it’s a journey with twists, turns, and moments of breakthrough. While everyone’s path is unique, it often unfolds in three key stages, which we’ve adapted from trauma research and our own work with clients:

1. Safety and Stabilisation

Healing starts with feeling safe—inside and out. This stage is about calming the storm: learning to manage overwhelming emotions, grounding yourself when flashbacks hit, and building trust in your environment (and your therapist). It might involve breathing exercises, mindfulness, or setting boundaries. Think of it as laying the groundwork for deeper work.

2. Processing the Trauma

Once you’ve got a steady base, you can start facing the past—not to relive it, but to release it’s grip on your present and future. This is where therapies like EMDR or ISTDP shine, helping you process traumatic memories so they lose their sting. It’s not about erasing what happened; it’s about taking away its power to control you now, so you can see with greater clarity.

3. Integration and Reconnection

This is where you step into a new chapter. You begin to weave the pieces of yourself back together—reclaiming your identity, rediscovering joy, and building relationships that feel secure. It’s about living fully in the present, with the past as a part of your story, not the whole of it.

These stages aren’t rigid boxes—you might move back and forth between them, and that’s normal. What matters is that you’re moving forward, at your pace, with support that honours your courage.

Why Sydney City Psychology? We’re Here for You

At Sydney City Psychology, we don’t just treat CPTSD—we walk with you through it. Our team brings years of experience and a deep understanding of trauma’s complexities. We’re trained in EMDR, ISTDP, IFS, Compassion Focused Therapy, and psychodynamic work—giving us a rich toolkit to tailor to your needs. But beyond the techniques, we bring heart: a commitment to connection, trust, and empowering you to heal.

We know reaching out can feel like a leap. That’s why we’re here to make it easier—with warmth, professionalism, and a space where you can feel seen and heard. Whether you’re taking your first step or picking up where you left off, we’re ready to support you.

Take the First Step Toward Healing CPSTD and Attachment Trauma Challenges

If CPTSD and attachment trauma have been part of your life, you don’t have to carry this alone. CPTSD can be treated, and at Sydney City Psychology, we’re here to guide you toward a life that feels freer, fuller, and truly yours.
Reach out to us today. Let’s start this journey together—because you deserve to thrive, and we’re here to help you get there.

Click here for more on our trauma, pain and chronic illness services
Get in touch

Sydney City Psychology
193 Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000
info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
(02) 9235 3127

Quick Links
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter

Branding & Website by NPCreative Group