Experiencing a crime can have a profound impact on your emotional wellbeing, sense of safety, relationships, and everyday life. Whether you have experienced domestic and family violence, assault, sexual violence, a violent crime, or another traumatic event, seeking support can be an important step towards healing and recovery.
At Link To Us Counselling & Support Services, we provide trauma-informed counselling for people accessing support through the NSW Victims Support Scheme. As an approved Victims Support Counsellor, Lorena Fernandez Collazo provides a safe, compassionate, and person-centred space where clients can process their experiences, develop coping strategies, and reconnect with their strengths.
What is Victims Support Counselling?
The NSW Victims Support Scheme provides assistance to eligible victims of violent crimes, including access to free counselling and other forms of support. Counselling can help individuals understand their responses to trauma, manage distressing emotions, rebuild confidence, and develop strategies to move forward.
Everyone responds to trauma differently. Some people may experience anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, sleep difficulties, changes in relationships, difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from themselves and the world around them. These responses are common reactions to overwhelming experiences.
Trauma-Informed Counselling: A Safe Space to Heal
Trauma-informed counselling recognises that what has happened to a person matters. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, trauma-informed practice considers the impact of experiences on a person’s emotions, body, relationships, identity, and sense of safety.
At Link To Us, counselling is guided by principles of:
- Safety and trust
- Choice and collaboration
- Respect and compassion
- Strengths-based recovery
- Understanding each person’s unique story and needs
There is no “right” way to heal from trauma. Your journey is individual, and counselling is adapted to support your goals at your own pace.
How Counselling Can Help
Victims Support counselling may assist with:
- Understanding trauma responses and emotional reactions
- Managing anxiety, stress, and overwhelming feelings
- Developing emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Rebuilding confidence and self-worth
- Improving relationships and communication
- Processing grief, loss, and life changes
- Supporting recovery after domestic and family violence
- Creating a stronger sense of safety and control
You Do Not Have To Navigate Recovery Alone
Seeking support after trauma is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage and self-care. Having a supportive therapeutic relationship can help you feel heard, understood, and supported as you move through recovery.
At Link To Us Counselling & Support Services, we offer trauma-informed counselling on the Central Coast NSW, including Gosford and Tuggerah locations, as well as telehealth appointments.
If you have approved counselling sessions through the NSW Victims Support Scheme and would like to discuss support options, please contact us.
Link To Us Counselling & Support Services
Trauma-informed counselling | Victims Support Counsellor | NDIS | SIRA | CTP Support
