Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
MD, MMed(Psych), FRANZCP, Adv Cert Child Adol Psych
AHPRA: MED0001931439
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Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
PTSD
PTSD Assessment & Trauma Treatment in Australia
Trauma-informed psychiatric assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. PCL-5 screening, comprehensive diagnostic clarity, and evidence-based treatment planning via secure telehealth across Australia.
Telehealth Australia-Wide
RANZCP Specialists
Medicare Rebates Available
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops in some people after exposure to an overwhelming or life-threatening event — directly experiencing it, witnessing it, learning it happened to a close loved one, or repeated exposure to traumatic material in a professional role. Not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, and there is no single "normal" reaction.
PTSD is defined by four symptom clusters: re-experiencing the event (intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks); avoidance of trauma reminders; negative changes in thinking or mood; and changes in arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, sleep difficulties, irritability, exaggerated startle). Symptoms must persist for at least a month and cause significant distress or functional impairment.
In children, PTSD often presents differently — repetitive trauma-themed play, behavioural regression, sleep problems, somatic complaints, or new fears that seem disconnected from the trauma. PTSD in young children is frequently missed because the connection between symptoms and the original event is not always obvious to the family.
Common Signs of PTSD
Common ways PTSD can present
Intrusive Memories & Flashbacks
Unwanted memories of the event that arrive without warning, nightmares about the trauma, or dissociative flashbacks where the person feels as if they are reliving it. In children, repetitive trauma-themed play is the equivalent.
Avoidance
Avoiding people, places, conversations, or activities that bring up trauma memories. Avoiding the trauma itself in conversation. Over time, the avoided territory tends to grow, narrowing daily life.
Hypervigilance & Startle
A constant sense of being on alert, scanning for danger, exaggerated startle response to unexpected noises, difficulty relaxing. Often paired with sleep difficulties and chronic muscle tension.
Negative Mood & Thinking
Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world ("I am damaged", "no one is safe"), inability to feel positive emotions, detachment from people and activities that previously mattered.
Behavioural Changes in Children
Regression in toileting, feeding, or sleep; new fears that seem unrelated to the trauma; school refusal; aggression; or repetitive trauma-themed play. Adolescents may show risk-taking behaviour or substance use.
Complex Trauma
Repeated or prolonged trauma (childhood abuse, ongoing family violence, repeated medical trauma) often produces a broader picture including emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, and sense-of-self problems beyond classic PTSD.
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ADHD · Autism · Anxiety · Depression · PTSD
Take a Free ScreeningHow PTSD Is Treated
Trauma-focused psychological therapies are the first-line evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) all have strong evidence in adults. For children and adolescents, TF-CBT is the most evidence-supported approach. These therapies are delivered by trained psychologists or psychiatrists.
Medication has a supporting role in PTSD. SSRIs are the most evidence-supported pharmacological treatment, particularly when PTSD co-occurs with depression or significant anxiety. Specific symptoms (sleep difficulties, hypervigilance) sometimes warrant additional targeted medication. Medication does not replace trauma-focused therapy but can make engagement in therapy possible.
At Lionheart, our role is comprehensive psychiatric assessment, accurate diagnosis (including identifying complex PTSD, comorbid conditions, and distinguishing PTSD from conditions that look similar), risk assessment, and treatment planning. We coordinate with trauma-trained psychologists for ongoing therapy and provide detailed reports for shared care with your GP.
Our Specialist Psychiatrists
Experienced clinicians providing assessment and treatment for PTSD
How to Get Started
Simple steps to access specialist care
1
Free Screening
Complete our free, validated screening tools for some initial answers.
2
Get a Referral
Request a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your GP.
3
Book Online
Choose a convenient time for your telehealth consultation.
4
Assessment
Meet with your psychiatrist via secure video from home.
How Lionheart Approaches PTSD Care
PTSD has high comorbidity. Depression, anxiety disorders, substance use, ADHD, and chronic pain all frequently co-occur. Childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of multiple adult mental health conditions. A thorough psychiatric assessment maps the full picture so treatment can be sequenced sensibly.
Telehealth is well-suited to PTSD assessment and follow-up review. For many people with trauma histories, the safety of being in their own space rather than an unfamiliar clinic environment improves the quality of the conversation. Trauma-focused therapy itself is increasingly delivered effectively by video.
We do not provide acute crisis care. If you or your child are experiencing active suicidal thoughts, severe dissociation, or are not safe, please contact 000, attend your nearest emergency department, or call the Mental Health Line (1800 011 511 in NSW) or Lifeline (13 11 14). Lionheart provides non-acute psychiatric assessment and ongoing care.
Related Free Screening Tools
Validated screening tools you can complete anonymously and share with any clinician.
Related Conditions
Conditions that often co-occur with PTSD or share overlapping presentations.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Includes generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and school refusal. Telehealth across Australia.
Depression
Depression assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and perinatal women. Specialist psychiatric care via telehealth across Australia.
Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal psychiatric assessment and treatment for women in pregnancy and the postpartum period, including antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD, and birth-related PTSD. Telehealth across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTSD
No. Initial assessment focuses on current symptoms, functioning, safety, and the broad context — not on detailed re-telling of the trauma. Any detailed processing of trauma material happens later, in trauma-focused therapy with a psychologist trained in TF-CBT or EMDR, and is paced carefully so it does not retraumatise.
Yes. PTSD can develop at any time after a traumatic event, and adult PTSD with origins in childhood is common, particularly when the original trauma was repeated (complex PTSD). Many adults present with what looks like depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties, and only on careful assessment is the underlying trauma identified.
PTSD requires exposure to a defined traumatic event (Criterion A in DSM-5). However, many people experience trauma-related symptoms after events that do not meet that strict definition — bullying, medical procedures, sustained relational stress. These responses are real and treatable even if the formal label is something other than PTSD.
Classic PTSD typically follows a single or limited set of traumatic events. Complex PTSD (recognised in ICD-11) follows prolonged or repeated trauma, often beginning in childhood, and includes additional features beyond classic PTSD: persistent emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept, and difficulty in close relationships. Treatment for complex PTSD usually requires longer therapy with a clinician experienced in trauma.
Yes. Trauma-focused therapies (TF-CBT, EMDR, CPT) have strong evidence and most people see significant symptom reduction with completed treatment. Outcomes are best when treatment includes a stable therapeutic relationship, sufficient duration, and appropriate management of comorbid conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use.
Lionheart specialises in child, adolescent, and perinatal psychiatry rather than veterans' mental health. For veterans seeking trauma support, Open Arms (1800 011 046) offers free counselling tailored to veterans and their families. We are happy to assess young people in veteran families when appropriate.
For Healthcare Professionals
For GPs: Fast, Collaborative Referral Process
We partner with GPs and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive psychiatric assessments and ongoing collaborative care for your young patients.
Fast Turnaround
Referral acknowledged within 24 hours, comprehensive report provided after assessment
Comprehensive Reports
Detailed assessment findings, diagnostic formulation, and management recommendations
Collaborative Care
We work closely with you, schools, and allied health professionals
How to Refer
- 1Complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan for your patient
- 2Write a referral letter with relevant history
- 3Patient books online or via our referral form
- 4We send you a detailed report after assessment
Questions about referring? Contact us at hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Why Choose Telehealth from Australia?
Access specialist psychiatric care without leaving home
Family-Centered Care
Collaborative approach involving parents and carers throughout the journey, with clear communication and support every step
RANZCP Specialists
All psychiatrists are Fellows of RANZCP with specialist training in child & adolescent mental health
No Travel Required
Secure video consultations from home, reducing stress for children and saving family time
Shorter Wait Times
Access specialist care sooner with telehealth appointments across all Australian states and territories
Investment in Your Care
Clear pricing for initial psychiatric assessment
Initial Psychiatric Assessment
A comprehensive 1.5 hour clinical consultation including:
- Detailed clinical interview (1.5 hours total)
- Review of school reports, prior assessments, and relevant documentation
- Comprehensive diagnostic formulation
- Detailed written report for your GP with findings and recommendations
Medicare Rebates Available
With a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Please check with Medicare for current rebate amounts.
Follow-up Consultations
If ongoing care is recommended, follow-up appointments are available at standard private psychiatry rates.
For current fees, please or reach out to us directly.
Ready to get started?
To book an appointment, ask your GP for a referral to Lionheart Clinic. Referrals are valid for 12 months and Medicare rebates apply. We also accept private bookings and NDIS participants.
Call Us
(02) 8552 7393Email Us
hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Important: We Are NOT an Acute Crisis Service
Lionheart Clinic provides non-acute psychiatric assessment and ongoing care. If you, your child, or a young person you care for are experiencing any of the following, please seek immediate help:
•Active suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviours
•Acute psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, severely disorganised thinking)
•Severe eating disorders requiring medical stabilisation
•Substance intoxication or withdrawal requiring medical management
•Acute mania or severe mood instability posing safety risks
•Any situation where immediate safety is a concern
Need immediate help?
Emergency Services: 000
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636