Trauma and PTSD

Trauma at its core is a disconnection from ourselves and others.

Do you find yourself being easily startled, constantly tense or “on edge”? You may find that you are reliving past events through seeing memories, feeling the emotions from it, or physical feelings from it; you may find yourself having daily bad dreams; or frightening thoughts. You may notice that you are staying away from places, events, activities, or objects that remind you of the past. You may find yourself trying to push away or deny feelings or thoughts related to past pain. You may feel like your emotions at times go from 0 to 100 quickly. It may be hard to remember what had happened. You may find yourself engaging in impulsive behaviours or increasingly cautious about everything around you. You may find it difficult to concentrate.

Trauma can shatter our sense of safety and security. It can feel like the ground has shattered beneath our feet. It make make us question ourselves, others, and the world. Sometimes it can cause us feelings of guilt or shame and make us lose interest in things that were once enjoyable or important.

Our past does not need to haunt our present or our vision of the future. Together we can work to better understand how your past is impacting your present to help empower you to take back control of your life. Through the exploration of this, you can work towards increasing awareness and compassion towards yourself to better understand yourself and the things we do. Together we can learn new skills to help to manage strong emotions, triggers, and allow you to be more in the present. You can reclaim your story, reignite your sense of passion and purpose and work towards building a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. I offer a compassionate space where you are validated and supported. Please use the contact form or “book now” button to book a consultation today! Build a brighter vision for the future!

What to expect from sessions:

  • Telephone

    Consultation

    You complete a consultation call. During this call we explore where you heard about us, what is bringing you in, discuss fees, check-in on appointment preferences. We discuss our approach and what that will look like. You ask any questions you have about therapy and the process.

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    Assessment

    You will be sent several forms to complete including forms on demographics, informed consent, financial agreement, email and text agreements. You will get several forms to complete complete at your own pace. If you have any difficulties completing any of these forms, they can also be completed in session. These forms explore attachment, daily functioning and experiences, dissociation. These will be explored and discussed in the first few sessions.

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    First Session

    We go over some items on the consent forms. Background information is gathered surrounding relationships, lifestyle, experiences, and childhood as well as exploring what brought you in and your goals. The forms provided are also explored and reviewed further to understand your personal experiences as best as possible. The process will be explained to you along with education surrounding trauma, dissociation, and attachment.

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    History

    I spend a session or two exploring your history and completing a timeline with you to better understand both the positive events as well as upsetting, disturbing, or overwhelming memories. This can also be done independently if preferred. I will also explore triggers, symptoms, and other aspects impacting your day to day. A treatment plan will be created based on this information and discussed with you to ensure this correctly fits and addresses everything required.

  • Treatment

    After the treatment plan has been explored, treatment would commence with what was discussed and agreed upon.

    Clients are met where they are and sessions are paced at the client’s preference. Resources are provided to help assist between sessions and to help with day to day functioning. Resources can involve using therapies such as DBT, ACT, CBT, and parts work to help build skill sets and resources.

    Clients work towards being ready and comfortable with processing past memories connected to the root of their symptoms.

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    Exploration and Adaptation

    As processing completes, focus shifts on navigating changes and building a new life and navigating new relationships. Installing a positive belief in self and positive future, new skills built and developed reflecting new self concept, and processing potential anxiety surrounding the future.

    Focus is on adapting to these new changes and new sense of self.

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    Tapering Down / Termination

    As you begin to notice the changes and functioning better in day to day. Once completed processing and starting to focus on navigation and exploration, we can begin to discuss tapering down with therapy and potential termination when feeling you are ready to graduate from therapy.

Take that brave step towards healing and contact me today about a consultation!