Trauma and PTSD counselling in Vancouver
Support for the lasting effects of traumatic experiences. Learn to understand how trauma impacts the nervous system, reduce overwhelming symptoms, and move toward greater stability, safety, and connection.
Understanding Trauma and PTSD
Trauma occurs when an experience overwhelms the body and mind’s ability to cope. This can include a single event or repeated experiences such as accidents, violence, abuse, medical trauma, childhood neglect, or ongoing emotional harm. Trauma is defined less by what happened and more by how the nervous system responded.
Post-traumatic stress can persist long after danger has passed. People may feel stuck in survival mode, experiencing intrusive memories, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, or a constant sense that something is wrong. Trauma can quietly shape how you think, relate to others, and experience your body, even when life appears stable on the outside.
Some common signs of trauma are:
Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, tense, or unable to fully relax.
Intrusive Memories: Unwanted memories, images, or sensations that feel vivid or present.
Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders, places, conversations, or emotions linked to the trauma.
Emotional Numbing: Feeling detached from emotions, relationships, or your own body.
Sleep and Concentration Difficulties: Nightmares, insomnia, brain fog, or difficulty focusing.
How we can help: Our Approach to Healing from trauma
Nervous System Stabilization
Trauma lives in the nervous system. We begin by supporting regulation and safety, helping your body move out of chronic fight, flight, or shutdown so you can feel more grounded and present.
EMDR and Trauma-Focused Therapies
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other trauma-focused approaches help the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they become less distressing and less intrusive. This work is paced carefully and collaboratively.
Somatic and Mindfulness-Informed Approaches
Somatic and mindfulness-based practices help you reconnect with bodily sensations in a safe way, increase tolerance for difficult emotions, and rebuild a sense of control and agency.
Accessibility & Counselling Fees
We believe everyone should have access to mental health support. We offer two pathways for counselling to ensure financial barriers do not stand in the way of your healing.
Low-cost counselling ($75 – $110 / session)
Work with our skilled practicum student counsellors. These therapists are in the final stages of their graduate training and are closely supervised by highly experienced therapists. Rates are sliding-scale based on your resources.
Full-cost counselling ($160 / session)
Work with our Associate Counsellors. These are fully qualified professionals who have completed their training and bring specialized expertise to the practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about PTSD and trauma counselling
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No. A PTSD diagnosis is not required to attend counselling. You can seek support based on how past experiences are affecting you now, regardless of whether you have a formal diagnosis.
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That is common. Trauma does not require clear or complete memory to be worked with safely. Counselling can still support healing based on your current experiences and reactions.
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Most clients are matched with a therapist within two business days of their intake call, with sessions often starting within one week.
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Yes. Trauma therapy is paced carefully and adapted to your capacity. We focus on safety, stability, and regulation first so the work does not feel overwhelming.
