Join the Authentic Movement event with Dr Hillary McBride on Friday, October 18, 7:30pm, at Elgin Hall in South Surrey.
Life can sometimes throw us into a tumultuous sea of distressing experiences, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and stuck in patterns of stress, burnout–and potentially–post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When these feelings persist, it’s essential to seek help. That’s where trauma counselling comes in.
Trauma can result from a variety of experiences, ranging from a single distressing event to prolonged exposure to stressors. Regardless of the source, the aftermath of trauma can cause debilitating symptoms such as heightened anxiety, persistent sadness, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the event. Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it also leaves a lasting imprint on the body, as explained in Bessel van der Kolk’s book, “The Body Keeps the Score”.
In trauma counselling, we work collaboratively with you to help you navigate the tumultuous waters of your past experiences, assisting you in developing resilience, fostering healing, and promoting overall well-being. Our trauma-informed approach is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that we create a safe, empathetic, and supportive environment for you to share and process your experiences.
Stress and burnout are often companions of trauma. Chronic stress can lead to burnout, a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that can impede your daily functioning. Our counselling sessions will focus not only on addressing your traumatic experiences but also on helping you develop effective strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout.
We also specialize in treating PTSD, a condition that can occur after you’ve experienced severe trauma. PTSD symptoms include flashbacks of the traumatic event, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in mood and cognition, and increased arousal and reactivity. We employ proven therapeutic approaches to help you regain control of your life, and to help you understand, as the title of Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry’s book suggests, “What Happened to You?”
One such therapeutic approach we use in Trauma Counselling is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. As Dr. Francine Shapiro describes in her book “Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy,” EMDR helps people reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their long-term impact and helping you develop healthier coping mechanisms.
We understand that the journey towards healing from trauma can seem daunting, but remember, you don’t have to walk this path alone. Our trained and compassionate counsellors are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Incorporating EMDR in our therapy sessions is another powerful tool in your healing journey, one that can help you break free from the chains of past traumatic events and live in the present, unburdened.
Trauma counselling is about more than just surviving—it’s about thriving. It’s about moving past the painful memories and stressors that have held you captive and stepping into a future of freedom, health, and happiness. In the safe, supportive environment we provide, you’ll learn to navigate the complexities of your trauma, reduce the symptoms of stress and burnout, and manage PTSD.
Schedule your free intake call to ensure we're a good fit!
Remember, your past experiences may have shaped you, but they don’t have to define your future. With trauma counselling, you can process and overcome your past, opening up a world of possibilities for a brighter, healthier, and more fulfilling future. You have the strength within you to heal, and we’re here to support you on this journey. Let us help you transform trauma into resilience, pain into power, and fear into hope.
In alignment with Bessel van der Kolk’s insight in “The Body Keeps the Score,” we integrate mindfulness practices and body-based therapies. We help you cultivate a stronger connection between your body and mind, leading to a greater sense of self-awareness and healing.
Working through trauma can indeed be challenging, and there may be moments of discomfort and pain. However, it’s through this process that you can also find profound growth and transformation. As you journey through your past, you’re not just remembering what happened to you but also cultivating resilience, strength, and healing.
Trauma counselling is not a quick fix but a journey. It requires courage, commitment, and patience. But with each step, you’ll be moving closer to a life where trauma no longer holds you back, but instead becomes a testament to your strength and resilience.
It’s about reclaiming your narrative and realizing that while trauma is part of your story, it doesn’t define you. Armed with the self-help techniques from EMDR Therapy, you’ll be empowered to take control of your life.
Trauma counselling helps individuals build resilience, an essential characteristic that buffers against the devastating impacts of traumatic experiences. It nurtures the innate ability in all of us to bounce back from adversity, to continue moving forward despite the challenges we face. In our counselling sessions, we endeavor to strengthen this resilience, equipping you with the skills and perspectives necessary to face life’s challenges head-on.
Effective trauma counselling also involves learning how to process and regulate emotions. Often, individuals who’ve experienced trauma may find it difficult to understand or express their feelings, which can lead to emotional distress. We work closely with you to help you identify, express, and manage your emotions in a healthy manner, promoting emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Schedule your free intake call to ensure we're a good fit!
Each individual’s experience with trauma is unique, and as such, we believe in the importance of a personalized approach to treatment. In our trauma counselling sessions, we take into account your unique experiences, needs, and goals. We work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that acknowledges your personal journey and aims to lead you towards a healthier, more fulfilling future.
We integrate a range of evidence-based therapies, such as EMDR, to ensure the highest standard of care for our clients. These therapeutic approaches have been rigorously researched and found to be effective in treating trauma and its associated symptoms. Through these therapeutic methods, we aim to alleviate your distress, reduce trauma-related symptoms, and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Self-awareness is a vital component of recovery from trauma. Through trauma counselling, we help you gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they have been affected by your past experiences. With increased self-awareness, you’ll be better equipped to identify patterns, understand your triggers, and take active steps towards healing.
At the heart of trauma counselling lies the belief in the potential for change and growth. Despite the darkness that trauma can cast over one’s life, we firmly believe in the human capacity for resilience and transformation. We strive to cultivate a sense of hope and positivity, reminding you that while the journey may be challenging, the potential for healing and growth is immense.
Our trauma counselling sessions provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore and process your traumatic experiences. This space is crucial for healing, allowing you to express your feelings, fears, and thoughts without fear of judgment. As you traverse through your journey towards recovery, you can rely on this safe space as a place of comfort and understanding.
While the primary goal of trauma counselling is to help you heal from your past experiences, it is also a journey of self-discovery. Through this process, you’ll learn more about yourself, your strengths, and your capacity for resilience. This journey may unveil aspects of yourself you were previously unaware of, fostering personal growth and self-understanding.
Reach out to us today. We’re ready to stand by your side, providing the guidance and support you need to navigate your healing journey. Remember, healing from trauma is not just possible—it’s within your reach. As you journey with us, our ultimate goal is to help you reclaim the joy and peace that trauma may have stolen from you. Our comprehensive and holistic approach to trauma counselling recognizes the impact of trauma on your mental, emotional, and physical health.
In our daily acts of living, loving, working, healing, learning & playing, we would like to acknowledge with gratitude that we are on the traditional & unceded territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and other Coast Salish Peoples. Huy ch q’u.
