Tepper Psychology · Mornington Peninsula
Experienced support for trauma and PTSD.
Grounded, trauma-informed psychological support for veterans, first responders, couples and individuals living with the effects of trauma.
Mornington Peninsula + Telehealth
- Trauma-informed care
- Veteran support
- First responder support
- Couples counselling
- Telehealth available
- DVA referrals
Our approach
Support that feels human.
Therapy at Tepper Psychology combines professional psychological training with a practical, honest and grounded way of working.
You won’t be treated as a diagnosis or a case file. Sessions are a conversation between two people, one of whom is trained and experienced in helping people make sense of trauma, stress and difficult relationships.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong, or have the right words for it. Many people arrive unsure whether therapy is for them. That’s a reasonable place to start.
Overwhelm
Sometimes it’s hard to see a way through.
When thoughts, experiences and emotions overlap, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Space
Creating some space.
Therapy can give you room to slow things down and begin making sense of what’s happening.
Perspective
Seeing things differently.
Understanding patterns and experiences can make them easier to navigate.
Clarity
A clearer way forward.
Things don’t have to disappear to become easier to understand.
Support options
Who we support
Choose the path that sounds closest to you. If none fits exactly, that’s fine. Get in touch and we’ll talk it through.
Trauma & PTSD
For people affected by a traumatic event, or by long-term or complex trauma, who want to understand what’s happening and find steadier ground.
Veterans
For current and former ADF members navigating the effects of service, transition or life after Defence.
First responders
For police, paramedics, firefighters, emergency and healthcare workers carrying the weight of the job.
Couples
For couples wanting to communicate better, rebuild trust, or understand how stress and trauma are affecting the relationship.
Individual therapy
For anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship patterns and life changes, including Schema Therapy for long-standing patterns.
Veterans & first responders
Experience in the environments you come from.
People who have served in Defence or emergency services often carry experiences that are hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been there.
Karen worked as a psychologist with the Department of Defence from 2016 to 2019, then with Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling) until 2021, and continues to work closely with the veteran community in private practice. She understands the culture, the language, the chain of command, and why asking for help can feel like a big step, or like it doesn’t fit with how you were trained to cope.
Not everyone who has served lives with PTSD, and not everyone wants to talk about the job. Support here starts with what matters to you: sleep, anger, relationships, transition, a particular incident, or simply feeling like yourself again.
- Current and former ADF members
- Police, paramedics, firefighters and emergency workers
- Partners and families affected by service
- DVA-funded treatment with a D904 referral from your GP, at no cost to you
Meet Karen
Experienced care. Genuine connection.
Karen Tepper is a psychologist on the Mornington Peninsula who works with trauma, PTSD, relationships and the pressures of demanding careers.
Karen has more than 20 years of experience as a psychologist, including roles with the Department of Defence and Open Arms. She draws on Schema Therapy, EMDR, CBT, ACT and trauma-informed approaches, and adapts them to the person in front of her rather than the other way around.
Her style is direct and down-to-earth. She’s warm without being soft, and honest about what therapy can and can’t do. Building trust comes first. The rest follows at a pace that feels manageable.
What therapy feels like here
Plain talk. Steady support.
Therapy with Karen is structured enough to feel purposeful and flexible enough to meet you where you are. Here’s what you can expect.
01
Grounded
Calm, steady sessions. We work at a pace that keeps you within your window of tolerance.
02
Practical
Tools and strategies you can use between sessions, not just talk for the sake of it.
03
Trauma-informed
Safety, choice and control are built in. You decide what you share, and when.
04
Collaborative
Goals are set together and revisited. You’re part of the process, not a passenger in it.
05
Honest
Straight answers about what’s happening, what might help, and what isn’t working.
06
Individualised
No fixed script. Approaches are chosen to fit you, your history and your circumstances.
Telehealth
Genuine care, wherever you are.
Sessions are available by secure video for people anywhere in Australia. Telehealth is a well-established way to access psychological care in Australia, and some people find it easier to open up from a familiar space.
It can suit shift workers, people in regional areas, those with mobility or transport barriers, or anyone who would rather not sit in a waiting room.
First steps
Not sure what to expect?
Reaching out is often the hardest part. Here’s how it works from there.
01
Get in touch
Call, email or send a short enquiry. You don’t need to explain your history. Just share a way to reach you and, in a few words, what you’d like help with.
02
Your first appointment
Karen will ask about what’s bringing you in, what you’d like to be different, and answer any questions. You can share as much or as little as feels right.
03
Working together
Together you’ll agree on goals and a plan. Sessions are reviewed along the way, and you can change pace or direction at any time.
Articles & resources
Understanding trauma, relationships and therapy
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What to expect at your first psychology appointment
Knowing what happens in a first session can make it easier to take the step. A plain-language overview.
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Understanding trauma responses: why your body reacts before you think
Why trauma can leave the body on high alert, what common reactions look like, and when it may help to talk to…
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Asking for help after a career in uniform
Why reaching out can feel unfamiliar for veterans and first responders, signs it may be time to talk, and practical places to…
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly without a referral. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan lets you claim a Medicare rebate, and eligible veterans can have treatment funded by DVA with a D904 referral from their GP. If you have been referred through Open Arms, an Employee Assistance Program or a workers compensation claim, get in touch to check how it applies to you.
Do you accept DVA referrals?
Yes. With a D904 referral from your GP, DVA funds your sessions and there is no cost to you. Veterans can also contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046 for free, confidential counselling 24/7.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Sessions are available by secure video for people anywhere in Australia. How telehealth works.
What happens during the first appointment?
The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Karen will ask what’s bringing you in and what you’d like to change, explain how she works, and answer your questions. You decide how much to share. Sessions run for 50 minutes.
Do you work with veterans and first responders?
Yes. Karen has experience working within Defence and military settings and works with current and former ADF members, emergency service workers and their families. Veteran & first responder support.
Do you provide couples counselling?
Yes. Couples counselling can help with communication, conflict, trust, and the impact of stress or trauma on a relationship. Couples counselling.
How do I know whether therapy is right for me?
You don’t need to be certain. If something has been weighing on you, or people close to you have noticed a change, it can help to talk it through. The first session is a chance to see whether working together feels like a good fit, with no obligation to continue.
What are your fees?
A standard 50-minute session is $220. With a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, the Medicare rebate is currently $101.55, so the out-of-pocket cost is $118.45. DVA-funded sessions have no cost to you. See Fees & Referrals for current fees, rebates and the cancellation policy.
Take the next step
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
If you’re considering psychological support, you’re welcome to get in touch to talk about the next step. There’s no pressure and no obligation.