trauma counselling

 Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that can overwhelm your ability to cope.  It leaves a lasting impact on mental health and can lead to emotional and psychological difficulties, including conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic events are usually unexpected and can make you feel vulnerable and frightened, shaking your sense of security.

If you've been through trauma, you are not alone.  According to a survey by Statistics Canada, nearly two-thirds of Canadian adults have experienced a traumatic event.  You might experience mental health symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of detachment or numbness. These symptoms can manifest in different ways, disrupting your daily life. Trauma can stem from a single incident, such as a car accident or assault, or from ongoing situations like abuse or neglect.

Understanding the impact of trauma on mental health is essential in helping you find and connect with the care and support you need to heal. Trauma can impact your self-identity, affect your relationships, and diminish your quality of life - but with the right help, it doesn't have to.

Traumatic experiences come in many forms, including physical, emotional, and psychological trauma:

• Physical Trauma: This involves harm or injury to your body, such as cuts, fractures, or more severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries. Physical trauma can result from accidents, falls, sports injuries, or acts of violence.
• Emotional Trauma: This affects your emotions and mental well-being, often stemming from distressing events like abuse, neglect, loss, or significant life changes. Emotional trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, and difficulty trusting others, impacting your relationships and self-esteem.
• Psychological Trauma: This results from exposure to distressing events that overwhelm your ability to cope, with lasting effects on your mental health. Specialized interventions are often needed to address its impact.

Trauma can also be categorized as:

• Acute Trauma: A sudden and severe event, such as a natural disaster, accident, or act of violence, leading to profound emotional and psychological distress.
• Chronic Trauma: Repeated exposure to distressing events over a prolonged period, often leading to persistent fear, helplessness, and emotional numbness. This can result from ongoing abuse, neglect, or living in unsafe environments.
• Complex Trauma: Prolonged and repetitive exposure to highly stressful experiences, typically beginning in childhood and involving interpersonal relationships marked by abuse or neglect.

Each type of trauma can have different effects on your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding these differences can help you find the right therapist to support your healing and recovery.

Survivors of trauma may experience a range of symptoms that impact daily life and well-being, including emotional distress, mood changes, and physical signs of stress (such as headaches or digestive issues). Some individuals might develop harmful coping behaviors, like substance abuse or self-harm. Recognizing and addressing these behaviors while tackling the root causes of trauma is vital for promoting healing.

A trauma-informed approach and trauma-focused therapy tailored to your needs can help you navigate your healing process, empowering you to regain control and resilience in your life.

A Trauma-Informed Approach is a broad philosophy guiding all aspects of therapy, emphasizing safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment, ensuring the therapy setting is sensitive to your traumatic experiences and their impact on your needs.

Trauma-Focused Therapy, (also referred to as 'Trauma Therapy' or 'Trauma Counselling') on the other hand, specifically targets the symptoms of trauma through therapeutic techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). 

While both trauma-informed and trauma-focused practices are rooted in understanding trauma, trauma-focused therapy actively addresses the trauma itself, whereas a trauma-informed approach provides a supportive framework applicable across various interventions.

Both trauma-informed and trauma-focused therapies aim to create a safe and supportive environment, fostering resilience and empowering you to regain control over your life. 

Through evidence-based techniques and compassionate guidance, trauma therapy and counselling helps you develop a better understanding of yourself, learn new and effective coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and rebuild healthy relationships, promoting overall well-being and recovery. 

When choosing a trauma therapist, consider their experience with trauma, their treatment approach, and their therapy style. It's vital that you feel cofortable with your therapist for therapy to be successful and beneficial. Additionally, look for a therapist who respects cultural values, integrating your background and life experiences into the therapeutic process.

Qualities to look for in a therapist include empathy, active listening skills, cultural competence, and a strength-based approach. A good therapist should create a non-judgmental and validating space where you feel safe to explore and process the traumatic experiences, at your pace, and work towards healing.

By finding a knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced trauma therapist, you can embark on a healing journey tailored to your specific needs and goals. Therapy can support you in strengthening your resilience, feeling empowered, and creating the life you deserve.

Connect with one of our qualified Registered Psychotherapists for trauma therapy.