Living with post-traumatic stress injuries can be isolating. With effective treatment, you can return to a life of greater purpose and fulfilment, and reconnect with what is important to you.
St John of God Richmond Hospital provides a safe, structured and supportive environment for recovery from exposure to traumatic events. Our team of psychologists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, social workers and pastoral care workers support your needs in developing a treatment plan. We work with you and your family and collaborate with other agencies to ensure that your care is coordinated and aligned to your personal goals.
Our expertise
We were one of the first hospitals in Australia to start a nationally recognised and dedicated PTSD program more than 30 years ago. St John of God Richmond Hospital is currently the only hospital in NSW, and one of only 8 nationally, accredited by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to deliver the evidence-based Trauma Recovery Program. We have partnered with universities since 2012 on translational research into trauma and mental health.
Led by some of Australia’s leading clinical researchers, our bespoke research has led the way, and will continue to lead the way, in evidencing best practice models of trauma recovery and client care. The recent opening of the St John of God PTSD Recovery Centre in Wagga Wagga NSW expands our care into communities where it is needed.
Through our programs, we will work with you to:
- Support your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs.
- Link you to other support services to encourage long term health.
- Include families and support networks as part of your overall treatment and recovery.
- Address other conditions such as depression and substance use disorders.
- Help you understand trauma, its symptoms and how to manage them.
- Learn ways to regulate your emotions, improve your anxiety and stress management skills, to help you better cope with difficult situations in your home and workplace.
We offer both inpatient and outpatient (day) programs:
Inpatient PTSD treatment
Our 21-day specialised PTSD inpatient program is for those who have occupational or work-related trauma.
As an inpatient, you can take the time to rest and recover away from your daily activities while stabilising your symptoms and learning strategies to manage them when you return home.
This program is run in a dedicated specialist unit staffed by our experienced medical, nursing and allied health caregivers.
Inpatient treatment offers you access to other hospital services and programs. You may also consider trauma-focused therapy after you leave.
PTSD outpatient treatment and day programs
Our outpatient programs offer both group and individual trauma-focused therapy to promote recovery. These programs are offered at our Counselling and Therapy Centre (CTC), onsite at our Richmond Hospital.
The CTC can be contacted during business hours.
Telephone: 02 4570 6128
Outpatient programs we offer
We offer a selection of outpatient programs:
- Anxiety PTSD
- Anger for PTSD
- CBT-I Sleep & Nightmare Program
- STAIR
- Trauma Recovery Program
Intensive trauma recovery program
This program starts with an intensive 4-week, 5 days a week phase, with a follow-up program phased over nine months. Residential accommodation is offered during the initial four weeks within our peaceful, natural setting.
Skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation program (STAIR)
STAIR is designed to improve functioning and wellbeing and prepares people for more intensive treatments. STAIR can provide benefits for those struggling with regulating emotions, social isolation or interpersonal difficulties.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia
This program, with optional nightmare treatment, aims to improve sleep quality, time to get to sleep, number of awakenings and duration of sleep.