Business Details
Trauma Therapy & Counselling Services in Melbourne
Safe Haven Counselling has been dedicated to transforming lives through trauma-informed therapy since its inception. Founded by Monica Karst, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over a decade of specialist experience, we combine evidence-based practices like EMDR and Havening Techniques with cutting-edge neuroscience to address trauma, anxiety, depression, and related conditions. Our approach prioritises individualised care, focusing on the unique needs of each client to foster resilience and lasting healing.With a clinical background spanning trauma services, hospitals, and community organisations, we specialise in supporting individuals affected by violence, abuse, pregnancy loss, and chronic health issues. Our mission is to create a safe space where clients can redefine their narratives and achieve meaningful, future-oriented growth through compassionate, science-backed therapeutic interventions.
Services
Trauma Recovery
PTSD Treatment
Anxiety Management
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
Grief Counselling
Depression Therapy
Pregnancy Loss Support
Self-Esteem Building
Relationship Counselling
Chronic Pain Management
Highlights and features
- Over 10 years of specialist trauma therapy experience
- Clinically trained in EMDR and Havening Techniques
- Personalised trauma-informed care for lasting results
- Integrates neuroscience with traditional therapeutic approaches
- Supports survivors of abuse, loss, and chronic health challenges
Associations and certifications
- Australian Association of Social Workers
Services
Trauma Recovery
Specialised trauma recovery services using EMDR and Havening Techniques to address PTSD and complex PTSD. Our neuroscience-informed approach helps reprocess traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and build nervous system resilience. Clients develop coping tools for lasting healing from abuse, violence, or life-altering events.
Anxiety Management
Evidence-based anxiety treatment combining cognitive-behavioural techniques with neuroscientific interventions. We address panic attacks, phobias, and chronic worry through tailored therapy sessions that rewire brain responses to stressors while building practical self-regulation skills for daily anxiety management.
Pregnancy Loss Support
Compassionate perinatal grief counselling for pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or early parenthood challenges. Our trauma-informed approach helps process bereavement, navigate emotional complexity, and rebuild emotional wellbeing through safe, non-judgmental therapeutic support tailored to individual healing journeys.
Self-Esteem Building
Targeted self-esteem development programs addressing low self-worth and confidence issues. Using trauma resolution techniques and cognitive restructuring, we help clients overcome negative self-perceptions, establish healthy boundaries, and cultivate authentic self-acceptance to improve personal and professional relationships.
Relationship Counselling
Specialised relationship therapy addressing communication breakdowns, trust issues, and emotional disconnection. Our approach combines trauma resolution with interpersonal skills development to help couples and individuals navigate relationship challenges, heal from betrayal, and build healthier relational patterns.
People
Monica Karst
Director & Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Monica Karst is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over a decade of trauma therapy experience. She specialises in neuroscience-informed approaches like EMDR and Havening, helping clients overcome trauma, anxiety, and relationship issues through her Melbourne-based practice.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
We use EMDR, Havening Techniques, and mindfulness-based therapies integrated with neuroscience principles to address trauma and mental health concerns.
Do you specialise in trauma recovery?
Yes, we specialise in treating trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, and related conditions using evidence-based, neuroscience-informed approaches.
Can you help with pregnancy loss grief?
Yes, we provide specialised counselling for individuals experiencing grief and bereavement related to pregnancy loss or early parenthood challenges.
Are services available for chronic health issues?
We support clients managing chronic pain, stress-related health conditions, and emotional difficulties associated with long-term medical concerns.
How experienced is your therapist?
Monica Karst has over 10 years' experience as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker across trauma services, hospitals, and community organisations.
Reviews (1)
Lauren Muxlow
Jul 02, 2020
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Monica a really highly skilled trauma counsellor with many years of experience in the trauma field. She has a lovely way about her that instantly relaxes and puts you at ease. The methods she uses were new to me, but have achieved such incredible results and I can't recommend her highly enough. It's turned out to be so much easier than I thought it would be to let go of the stuff that was holding me back. Well worth it.
