Trauma & PTSD

Trauma & PTSD

Processing the past so it stops running the present.

Trauma doesn’t always look the way people expect. You may not think of what you experienced as “trauma.” Maybe nothing happened all at once. Maybe you learned to stay alert, keep the peace, push through, or take care of everyone else. Maybe something happened years ago, but your body still reacts as though it could happen again. Trauma can come from childhood experiences, difficult relationships, abuse, medical events, loss, accidents, frightening experiences, or living for a long time without feeling emotionally or physically safe. Whatever brought you here, you don’t have to prove that what happened was “bad enough” to deserve support.

In our work together, I will meet you where you are. Trauma therapy does not mean forcing you to retell painful experiences before you are ready. We can begin by helping you understand what is happening in your mind and body, building a greater sense of safety, and finding practical ways to manage the reactions that may be interfering with your life now.

You might be dealing with anxiety that seems to come from nowhere, difficulty trusting people, emotional numbness, shame, anger, nightmares, intrusive memories, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, or a constant feeling that you need to stay prepared for something to go wrong.

I use a trauma-informed approach and draw from evidence-based therapies, including trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), mindfulness, somatic awareness, and nervous system regulation. I tailor our work to you rather than expecting you to fit into a particular therapeutic formula. Some people want to understand why their nervous system responds the way it does. Others want practical strategies that help them feel calmer and more grounded. Many need both. Healing does not mean forgetting what happened or pretending it did not matter. It means helping the past take up less space in your present, so you have more room for relationships, connection, confidence, and the life you want to be living.

LOSS & CHANGE CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

Feeling constantly on edge or unable to fully relax
Intrusive memories, nightmares, or unwanted reminders
Avoiding certain people, places, conversations, or situations
Feeling disconnected, numb, or unlike yourself
Shame, guilt, self-blame, or feeling “not good enough”
Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe in relationships

How I May Support You

01Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
02Trauma-Informed Counselling
03Somatic Awareness & Nervous System Regulation
04Mindfulness & Grounding Strategies

Ready to feel more like yourself again?

You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about what you’re experiencing, what you’re hoping for, and whether working together feels like the right fit.