Counselling Services Areas of Practice
Trauma
“No matter what modality we use, the goal of trauma treatment is finally to be ‘here’ and not ‘there.'” ~ Bessel van der Kolk
Trauma is a normal response by our body and mind to an event that overwhelms us by threatening physical harm, our life, or the safety of someone else.
Examples of traumatic incidents include:
- Witnessing/experiencing wartime atrocities or terrorism
- Combat
- Being a victim/witness of crime
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis
- Physical and sexual assault/rape
- Childhood abuse including: sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect
- Motor vehicle accidents, airplane accidents
- Other traumatic events such as childbirth complications, sudden infant loss, the death of a child, infertility
- House fires
- Health-related trauma, life changing physical conditions, surgery or other invasive medical procedures
It’s common to feel reluctant to want to come in and talk about trauma. In fact, many people avoid it, only coming to counselling when life seems unbearable. Trauma makes us feel vulnerable and dysregulates nervous systems; that’s why creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment is the foundation of my approach to helping with trauma.
Many people worry that trauma therapy must involve remembering the horror of the traumatic incident, going on a “fact finding” mission, confronting perpetrators, and succumbing to the directives of the therapist. I disagree. Some people feel that remembering, when they are ready to work through such memories, is critical to their healing, while others feel it is damaging. This choice, as well as other aspects of your trauma healing, is personal. There is no “one size fits all” approach here. Another common worry is that one has to become “unraveled” in order to heal. I also disagree and strongly recommend that trauma therapy should first work towards ensuring that you are currently safe and are coping well in your day to day life.
Psychiatrist Judith Herman, in addressing survivors of childhood abuse writes, “It is bad enough that you were robbed of your childhood–it is unacceptable to also lose your opportunity to live in the present.”
While individuals are unique in the ways that trauma has left its mark and in the path of healing that works for each person, at my downtown Vancouver office you can expect:
- A safe and respectful therapeutic space
- Recognition that you survived the trauma that you experienced
- A customized approach to working with your trauma
- Careful attention to the here and now, ensuring that you are coping well in your day to day life and if not, supporting you to make this happen
- Choice of what aspects of your trauma you want to work on
- Learning what ways for healing your trauma work best for you, including offering the choice of different tools and therapeutic methods
- The message that you can recover from trauma
If you are looking for a trauma therapist, I welcome your call or email message and am pleased to set up a 15-minute phone or in-person consultation to help you make this decision for yourself. In fact, I encourage a preliminary conversation first, as therapeutic fit is key; I am not, and could not possibly be the right fit for every client.
Whatever your route to healing, it is important to not lose hope. People can and do overcome trauma.
Related Articles
You Can’t Cheat The System
When cutting corners leads to nervous system consequences.
Counselling Homework: Shame Magnet or Road to Success?
Deciding which option works best for you–whether it be homework or homeworklessness–can spark self-reflection around what you want out of counselling.
Recommended Books
The book links on this page are Amazon Associate links; if you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, which goes towards funding my public low-cost counselling resource lists. Your support means so much. Thank you!
Empowered Boundaries: Speaking Truth, Setting Boundaries and Inspiring Social Change
by Christien Storm (2018)
There is a lot of information available on boundaries but out of everything I’ve read, this is my top pick. The author is particularly notable for their discussion on the nuanced nature of boundaries–honouring the fact that setting boundaries is inherently difficult but that it is not necessarily a rigid, inflexible process. Practical, inclusive and trauma-informed, guiding strategies are offered.
How To Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing
by KC Davis (2022)
While Marie Kondo taught me to let go of a lot, KC Davis helped me to forgive myself, no matter the state of my home. A boon to neurodivergent folks, those struggling with mental health issues, or anyone else who is overwhelmed by life, therapist KC Davis, offers practical, forgiving strategies and care tasks that we can all use. Highly recommended.
More Than Words: The Science of Deepening Love and Connection In Any Relationship
by John Howard (2022)
By leveraging the research on neuroscience, the author shows the reader simple, straightforward steps that they can take to improve the quality of connection in their close relationships. While focusing primarily on romantic partnerships, this book’s principles can be extended to any close relationships. Highly recommended.
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma
by Stephanie Foo (2022)
A searing, courageous, no-holds-barred memoir of the author’s lived experience of complex PTSD. She also shares her path to recovery.
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma
by Bessel van der Kolk (2014)
Seminal, comprehensive text on the neurobiology of trauma that is approachable and readable. One of the most frequently recommended books on trauma.
8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery: Take-Charge Strategies to Empower Your Healing
by Babette Rothschild (2010)
A gentle approach to trauma resolution, emphasizing the importance of choosing strategies that work well for you personally.
Resources
Heads Up Guys
A wealth of information and resources on men’s mental health, with a focus on depression.
Stand Informed Legal Advice Services
A program of the Community Legal Assistance Society, providing up to 3 hours of free, trauma-informed and confidential advice with a lawyer for any BC resident who was sexually assaulted in BC. You do not need to be low-income to qualify. A lawyer will explain your rights, explain the legal options available to you and connect you with resources, if applicable. If you are unsure of whether you would qualify for this program, please contact the office.
Discovery College – Canadian Mental Health Association
A wealth of free online mental-health related courses, developed in conjunction with people who have lived experience.
Sleepwell
Online non-profit initiative from Queen’s University to help the public learn non-drug treatments for insomnia, primarily Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).
Anger – A Self-Help Guide by Moodjuice
A self-help and educational guide about anger, from the counselling department at McGill University.
Vancouver Low-Cost Counselling List
List of private master’s-level counsellors, or their interns, offering subsidized counselling. Updated quarterly.
Crime Victims Assistance Program
Funded counselling for victims of crime, immediate family members and witnesses. Call for eligibility.
VAST
Trauma-informed counselling and services for refugees. Individual and group support.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Web-based learning of DBT skills. Particularly useful for those without access to individualized programming, or to supplement an existing group DBT program.
Crisis Services and Hotlines in Vancouver
Resource list, updated quarterly.
Crime Victims Assistance Program
Assists victims, immediate family members and some witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime by providing qualifying individuals with financial benefits to help offset financial losses and assist in recovery.
Reduced-Cost Counselling [PDF]
A resource list of lower-cost professional counselling options in Vancouver. Corrections and suggestions welcome.
Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP)
604-875-4255 (collect calls accepted)
If you were sexually abused when you were a child living in a BC provincial government foster home, group home, or residential facility, you may be eligible to have RHAP pay for your counselling.
BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
604-682-6482
Individual and group counselling on a sliding scale.
Specialized Counselling & Trauma Services – Family Services of Greater Vancouver
604-874-2938
Professional counselling for women, children, survivors of incest/trauma/sexual abuse, pregnant women with a trauma history and those experiencing family violence.
Victim Link
1-800-565-0808
24-7 assistance for people who have been victims of family and sexual violence and all other crimes.
Battered Women’s Support Services
Crisis number: 604-687-1867
Support, advocacy, counselling, info/referral.
Healthy Connections: You and Your Baby
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
604-874-2938
Individual counselling and therapy for pregnant women who have experienced past trauma that can interfere with their ability to parent their children. A free service.