PTSD & Trauma · Earlwood, Inner West

PTSD & Trauma Psychologist in Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

SIRA-accredited trauma psychologist offering trauma-focused CBT and prolonged exposure therapy. Supporting Inner West recovery from accidents, assault, and workplace trauma.

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Why Choose This Practice

SIRA accredited
WorkCover & CTP claims supported
20+ years treating trauma
Evening appointments Mon & Tue

Getting Here

10 Keith Street, Earlwood NSW 2206. Free street parking on Keith Street and surrounding roads. Bus routes 423 and 426 stop nearby on Homer Street.

Earlwood Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 10am – 8pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2:30pm
Evening appointments available Mon & Tue for those who work during the day.

Earlwood Fees

Medicare rebate: $76.15
Private: $175
60-minute sessions. GP Mental Health Plan required for Medicare.

How Trauma Stays With You

Traumatic events don't just leave emotional scars — they physically change your nervous system. Your brain's threat detection wires itself to stay permanently switched on, keeping you in a state of hypervigilance long after the danger has passed. Flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness aren't signs of weakness — they're your nervous system's way of trying to protect you from something it believes is still happening.

In the Inner West working community, I see particular patterns of trauma regularly — workplace accidents on construction sites, motor vehicle accidents on busy arterial roads, witnessing violence, and the cumulative toll on first responders and essential workers. Many people try to push through, telling themselves they should be "over it by now." But trauma doesn't work on a timeline.

If you're months or even years past the event and still feel like something is wrong — you're not imagining it. Your brain is stuck in survival mode, and the right treatment can help it recalibrate.

You might recognise these patterns:

Flashbacks or nightmares that feel as real as the original event
Avoiding places, people, or situations connected to the trauma
Feeling constantly on edge, jumpy, or unable to relax
Emotional numbness or detachment from people you care about
Difficulty concentrating or remembering parts of what happened
Anger outbursts or irritability that's out of character for you

Tim Carey – PTSD & Trauma Psychologist at Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Meet Tim Carey, Your Earlwood Trauma Psychologist

I'm Tim Carey, a registered psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping people recover from trauma and PTSD. From my Earlwood practice at 10 Keith Street, I've worked with hundreds of clients across the Inner West — from Earlwood, Bardwell Valley, Wolli Creek, and surrounding suburbs — who've experienced workplace accidents, motor vehicle trauma, and other life-changing events.

I'm an approved provider for SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority), WorkCover, and CTP (Compulsory Third Party) claims. If you've been injured at work or in an accident, I can help you access the psychological support you're entitled to — I handle the paperwork and reporting so you can focus on recovery.

I offer evening sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays until 8pm, which works well for clients who are still working or managing family responsibilities around their recovery. Free street parking is available on Keith Street and surrounding streets.

SIRA Approved WorkCover Provider Medicare Provider 20+ Years Experience

Trauma Recovery Starts With One Conversation

You don't need to relive your trauma to heal from it. Whether it was a workplace injury, a car accident, or something you've been carrying for years — booking a session is the first step toward getting your life back.

Book a Trauma Session Ask Tim a Question

SIRA, WorkCover & CTP claims accepted · Medicare rebates available · Evening appointments Mon & Tue

Trauma Treatment at Earlwood

Effective trauma treatment requires both clinical expertise and genuine understanding of what you've been through. Here's how I work with trauma survivors at my Earlwood practice.

Trauma-Focused CBT

The gold standard for PTSD treatment. We work together to safely process the traumatic memory, challenge unhelpful beliefs that formed around the event — like "it was my fault" or "nowhere is safe" — and gradually reduce the power the memory holds over you.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Avoidance keeps trauma alive. Through carefully paced exposure — both to the trauma memory itself and to situations you've been avoiding — we help your brain learn that the danger has passed. This is done gradually and always at a pace you can manage.

Critical Incident Debriefing

Structured psychological support following workplace or community incidents. I provide debriefing services for Inner West businesses and organisations — helping teams process what happened and identify anyone who may need ongoing support.

SIRA & WorkCover Support

Navigating workers compensation and CTP claims while dealing with trauma is exhausting. As a SIRA accredited psychologist, I handle the reports, medico-legal documentation, and insurer correspondence — so you can focus on getting better, not fighting bureaucracy.

Grounding & Stabilisation

Before we process trauma, I make sure you have the tools to stay grounded. Body-based techniques for managing flashbacks, dissociation, and panic — practical skills you can use immediately when your nervous system goes into overdrive.

Between-Session Support

Trauma recovery doesn't pause between appointments. I provide practical coping strategies for daily life while you're processing difficult material — sleep hygiene, grounding exercises, and safety planning tailored to your specific triggers.

Trauma Conditions I Treat at Earlwood

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

From single-event trauma like car accidents, assault, or witnessing violence. When flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance persist beyond a month after the event, evidence-based treatment can help your brain process what happened and move forward.

Workplace Trauma

Industrial accidents, sustained workplace bullying, occupational violence, or witnessing a colleague's injury. I work with your WorkCover claim alongside your treatment — providing clinical reports and supporting your return-to-work plan.

Motor Vehicle Accident Trauma

CTP claims, driving anxiety, accident-related PTSD, and the fear of getting back behind the wheel. I support you through the insurance process while using graded exposure to help you reclaim your confidence on the road.

First Responder Trauma

Cumulative occupational exposure for police, paramedics, firefighters, and emergency workers. The toll of repeated exposure to distressing situations requires specialised treatment that acknowledges the unique demands of frontline work.

Other Services at My Earlwood Practice

Trauma often co-occurs with other conditions. I provide integrated support across these areas at Earlwood.