BEING AND BECOMING COUNSELLING AND WELLNESS SERVICES
Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment in Burnaby
Compassionate support to help you heal from traumatic experiences.
Trauma Counselling Can Help You:
GAIN A SENSE OF SAFETY & PEACE
RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF
FEEL IN CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS
FEEL IN
When you’re stuck in survival mode.
When you’ve been through a traumatic experience, everything can feel like it’s been turned upside down. Your system may feel stuck on high alert, continually sounding the alarm, or you may feel completely shut down and unable to feel anything.
You don’t have to face this alone.
The way you are feeling is a normal response to an abnormal situation.
Trauma therapy may help if you are:
Living in fear or anxiety
Unable to relax or feel at ease
Struggling with anger, sadness or feelings of overwhelm
Stuck in patterns of reactivity
Feeling isolated and alone
Experiencing distressing memories, flashbacks or nightmares
Feeling numb or detached
Having difficulty trusting others
What is Trauma?
Trauma refers to what happens in your body during, and after an event, rather than the event itself. Events that are experienced as traumatic are typically characterized by an inability to take the necessary actions to protect yourself, a loss of choice and a feeling of powerlessness. Experiencing trauma can negatively impact your sense of safety and sense of self, as well as your ability to regulate your emotions, navigate relationships, or function in daily life.
“Trauma is in the nervous system, not in the event.”
— Peter Levine
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Mental reactions to trauma may include:
Reduced focus, concentration and memory
Intrusive thoughts about the event
Repeatedly replaying parts of the event over in your mind
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Confusion or disorientation
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Emotional reactions to trauma may include:
Fear, anxiety and panic
Anger or rage
Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling shocked, confused or disoriented
Sadness or feelings of depression
Feeling numb and detached
Not wanting to be around others
Loss of interest in activities
Mood swings
Difficulty regulating emotions
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Physiological reactions to trauma may include:
Feeling constantly on edge or on guard
Inability to relax or feel safe
Exaggerated startle reflex
Agitation
Fatigue or exhaustion
Feeling shut down, dissociated or numb
Changes in appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Nausea, vomiting and dizziness
Headaches
Changes in heart rate or breathing
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Behavioural reactions to trauma may include:
Avoiding reminders of the event
Inability to stop focusing on what happened
Being very reactive
Changes to eating (i.e., eating more or less)
Substauce use (i.e., alcohol, cigarettes, prescription medication, drug use)
Withdrawing socially
Difficulty engaging in daily tasks (i.e., at work, home, in daily life)
Limiting where you go and what you do
Common Reactions to Trauma
Dealing with trauma can be incredibly difficult. You don’t have to do it alone. Help is available.
Modalities Offered for Trauma Healing
IN-PERSON TRAUMA AND PTSD THERAPY AVAILABLE IN BURNABY AND ONLINE COUNSELLING AVAILABLE ACROSS BC
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EMDR is a therapy approach that was specifically developed to address trauma and has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of trauma and PTSD.
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IFS therapy maintains that everyone has different parts (e.g., an inner critic, a perfectionist part, a procrastinator part) as well as a Self. Some parts carry trauma or painful emotions and other parts try to protect these wounded parts. Protector parts can get stuck in extreme roles that have adverse consequences. IFS aims to heal parts from the traumas they have experienced or the burdens they carry so that the system can come into balance and the individual can be more Self-led. Early research suggests IFS is as effective as other evidence-based approaches in the treatment of depression.
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SP is a therapy approach that was developed to address trauma and attachment issues. It draws on somatic therapies, neuroscience, attachment theories, mindfulness, and cognitive approaches. SP views the body as an incredible resource and works directly with the body and nervous system in the processing of trauma.
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While Polyvagal Theory is not a therapy approach, its principles can be very helpful in the treatment of trauma. Polyvagal Theory is a way of understanding how our nervous system responds to different situations, like stress, danger or safety.
Polyvagal-informed therapy can help us track and re-pattern the nervous systems of clients who have experienced trauma.
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ACT helps clients accept their traumatic experiences and related symptoms while committing to actions that align with their values. This approach promotes psychological flexibility and resilience.
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TCTSY is an empirically validated, yoga-based clinical intervention for complex trauma and treatment-resistant PTSD. TCTSY has foundations in trauma theory, attachment theory, neuroscience, and hatha yoga. The central aims of TCTSY are to empower participants and foster opportunities for embodiment and reclamation of one’s body.
TRAUMA COUNSELLING IN BURNABY
What is Trauma Therapy and How Does it Work?
Trauma can come from many sources—abuse, accidents, assaults, natural disasters, the sudden loss of someone close to you, or being the recipient of discrimination or oppression. Each of us experiences and responds to trauma differently. You might find yourself reliving the traumatic experience(s) through vivid flashbacks or being overtaken by intense emotions like fear, anxiety or rage. Alternatively, you might feel detached, numb or disconnected from yourself and those around you. Trauma doesn’t always manifest immediately; sometimes its impact surfaces years later, affecting your emotional, mental and physical health.
If the impacts of trauma are making it hard to live your life, maintain relationships, or feel like yourself, therapy can be a courageous step toward healing. Trauma therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to learn how to cope with the symptoms of trauma and process the experiences you have had to endure. At Being and Becoming Counselling & Wellness Services, we are here to walk with you on this journey. We will help you understand your response to trauma, learn to manage your symptoms and guide you toward healing and reclaiming your life.
Healing is possible. We are here to support you.
Types of Trauma We Support
Single incident trauma (such as accidents, natural disasters, or medical emergencies)
Childhood abuse or neglect
Emotional neglect
Developmental trauma
Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Sexual abuse
Sexual assault
Relationship or intimate partner violence
Racial or cultural trauma
Religious or spiritual abuse
Medical trauma
Birth trauma
Loss and grief
Vicarious trauma
TRAUMA THERAPY ACROSS BC
What you can expect to get out of Trauma Counselling
Each person’s journey to recovering from trauma will be different, but in time you may notice that you have:
Greater self-understanding and self-compassion
Greater ability to feel at ease
Greater emotional regulation
Increased emotional resilience
Increased presence and engagement in your life
Improved relationships
Heightened sense of empowerment
Increased feelings of hope about the future
Greater confidence in your ability to handle whatever life throws your way
Therapists Offering Trauma Therapy
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Dr. Semhar Ghedela
Canadian Certified Counsellor
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Pawandeep Kaur
Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Eugene Chi
Doctoral Practicum Therapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Makayla Freeman
Doctoral Practicum Therapist & Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Dr. Margaret Brennan
Registered Psychologist
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Margaret Noel
Registered Clinical Counsellor
FAQ about Trauma Therapy
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Trauma is not defined by the event itself but by the impact it has on you. If you have experienced something distressing and find yourself struggling with intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, difficulty trusting others, or avoiding reminders of the experience, you may be experiencing the effects of trauma. You don't need a formal diagnosis to seek support — if something has happened that continues to affect your daily life and wellbeing, therapy can help.
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It is common to experience some temporary increase in distress when beginning to process traumatic experiences in therapy. This is a normal part of the healing process and not a sign that therapy isn't working. Pacing is an important part of trauma therapy — your therapist will work carefully to ensure you are adequately resourced and prepared before moving into trauma processing, so that the work feels manageable and you feel supported every step of the way. With the right support, you won't stay in that place of discomfort — as the processing work progresses, most people find that they begin to feel significantly better
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No. Some trauma therapy approaches, such as EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, do not require you to talk through your traumatic experiences in detail. Your therapist will discuss the available approaches with you and work collaboratively to find one that feels right for you and your needs.
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The length of trauma therapy varies depending on the nature and complexity of your experiences, your goals, and how you respond to treatment. Some people experience significant improvement in a relatively short period of time, while others with more complex trauma histories benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will work with you to establish goals and regularly assess your progress throughout treatment.
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Trauma therapy is not covered by MSP in BC. However, many extended health benefit plans cover sessions with a Registered Psychologist and/or Registered Clinical Counsellor. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm whether these designations are covered under your plan and what your coverage limits are. We provide receipts at the time of payment that you can submit for reimbursement.
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Yes — we offer virtual trauma therapy to anyone in British Columbia. Research supports the effectiveness of online delivery for many trauma therapy approaches. All virtual sessions are conducted through a secure, confidential platform.
