Trauma Therapy
The ongoing emotional experience of trauma can seriously disrupt an individual’s quality of life and wellbeing. But there is a way forward towards healing.
It is estimated that 76% of Canadians report having experienced a traumatic event during their lifetime.
About 8% of those Canadians who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The proportion varies greatly according to the type of event and the individual as people can react in many different ways: they might feel nervous, have a hard time sleeping well, or go over the details of the situation in their mind. These thoughts or experiences are a normal reaction. They usually decrease over time and the people involved can go back to their daily lives.
Traumatic stress and PTSD, on the other hand, lasts much longer and can lead to serious physical and mental health challenges if left untreated.
Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.
- Peter A. Levine
We help create safety.
If you’ve experience trauma - or are wondering if you have - maybe it’s time to talk about it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. When you’re ready we can help.
What is trauma?
Something is traumatic when it is very frightening, overwhelming and causes a lot of distress.
Traumatic events are difficult to define because the same event may be more traumatic for some people than for others. Therefore they are generally defined as events that overwhelm an individual’s system and decrease their capacity to connect to their feelings and to feel at ease.
It is not the event itself that defines the trauma but rather the individual’s experience of the event.
Traumatic events are also often identified as events that pose a serious threat to one’s life or one’s safety and reactions to these events can cause feelings of fear, panic, helplessness, stress and much more.
Traumatic events are unexpected, sudden, and leave the individual feeling that they had no control over what was happening.
“There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.”
-Dawn Serra
What are the Impacts of Trauma?
Trauma can impact the way people relate to themselves and others and can alter an individual’s sense of safety and well-being in profound ways.
The intensity of traumatic stress varies greatly, as does the duration.
Traumatic events may include crimes, natural disasters, accidents, war or conflict, or other threats to life. It could be an event or situation that you experience yourself or something that happens to others, including loved ones.
Someone who has experienced a traumatic event can develop symptoms of traumatic stress several months or even years later.
The development of new symptoms may be triggered by a subsequent event (e.g. anniversary of the event, life transitions such as a birth of a child, retirement, etc.).
Major depression is a common problem following exposure to trauma. It is characterized by a consistently depressed mood and a loss of interest in daily activities, among other symptoms. This differs from the typical ‘’blues’’ that everyone experiences. And, other disorders may occur including: anxiety, substance abuse, and other health-related conditions.
When thoughts and memories of the traumatic event don’t go away or get worse, they may lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which can seriously disrupt a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and maintain healthy relationships.
A traumatic event can be:
A recent, single traumatic event (e.g. car crash, violent assault)
A single traumatic event that occurred in the past (e.g., a sexual assault, the death of a spouse or child)
A long-term, chronic pattern (e.g., ongoing childhood neglect, sexual or physical abuse)
Experienced early in life (e.g., abuse, neglect, disrupted attachment)
Experienced later in life (e.g., serious accident, being a victim of violence, living through a natural disaster or war, a sudden unexpected loss)
A person who has experienced a traumatic event might develop:
Experiencing a single traumatic event is most likely to lead to simple PTSD.
Complex PTSD tends to result from long-term, chronic trauma and can affect a person's ability to form healthy, trusting relationships (Complex trauma in children is often referred to as "developmental trauma)
Substance abuse
Unhealthy addictions or behaviours (promiscuity, gambling, self-harm)
Compulsion and phobia disorders
“You think all the emotional wounds are healed until something happens that reminds you there is still a scar.”
- Alexandra Eva-May
How can trauma therapy help?
You may be feeling disconnected, helpless, adversely impacted by shame, grief, sadness and/or anger. You may feel that your life is not as satisfying as you would like. You may find you are avoiding people or activities that trigger uncomfortable feelings and/or you may be dealing with compulsions, phobias or addictive behaviours. If you have been experiencing these symptoms for three months or more, we strongly recommend that you consider reaching out for help.
All of our therapists are trauma-sensitive. We provide a mindfulness-based, client-centred approach that is grounded in empathy and connection. Our therapists use a variety of tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), but overall, we approach healing trauma with Compassionate Listening.
Compassionate listening is empathic, focused attention that connects the client’s narrative to their experience of the body and mind.
Dr. Dan Siegel, a neurobiologist, says that the brain is wired to heal - throughout our lifespan - and that this happens in the context of compassionate, empathic relationships. Trauma therapy provides a nurturing and safe space to heal the pain of trauma and we are committed to providing you with that safe, non-judgmental, space. You can learn to re-build trust and find compassion for yourself - to process your experiences - so you can finally start to heal.
Average Cost
$130.00 - $160.00 ( per session )*
*Lower rates are available through our Affordable Counselling program
Want to Know More?
Programs, Services and Additional Resources
Treatment at CAMH Access CAMH
Connex Ontario Central Healthline
Kids Help Phone at 1 800 668-6868
CAMH Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy An Information Guide (PDF)
CAMH Mental Illness and Addiction Index
Canadian Psychological Association Traumatic Stress: Facts About Traumatic Stress and PTSD
The Jean Tweed Centre Trauma Matters: Guidelines for Trauma-Informed Practices in Women’s Substance Use Services
Psychology Today Is There An Anxiety Epidemic?
The Canadian Mental Health Association Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)