PTSD
Is Trauma Or PTSD Pushing You To Your Wit’s End?
Are you constantly on edge or unable to relax because your mind is in overdrive, fueled by memories of a painful past? Do you feel stuck in a dark place, overwhelmed by intense emotions that make you wonder if anything will ever get better? Are you exhausted from always trying to outrun or ignore the pain buried inside of you?
Perhaps you have trouble sleeping, eating properly, caring for yourself or accomplishing seemingly small tasks, such as leaving the house or feeling safe around others. Or you may be so afraid of experiencing another similar trauma that you avoid situations, opportunities or new relationships that could actually help you move forward.
When a person experiences trauma, it shatters their whole world perspective, influencing behaviours and thoughts that affect nearly every aspect of their life. For instance, maybe you have suffered betrayal trauma from an act of infidelity, and now you find it hard to trust or emotionally connect with your partner. Or maybe you are trying to bury the memories of a painful past, but the denial only makes you irritable or short-fused, so you end up with a lot of conflict in your relationships. Or it could be that you realize your fears are holding you back from the life you truly want, but you just don’t know how to undo the damage and move on.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can have a debilitating effect on your quality of life, filling each day with dread and limiting how you live. But there is hope for a better future. With my help, you can process your experience safely, file painful memories away where they belong and take control of your life for good.
Trauma Comes In Many Shapes, Sizes And Shades
According to the National Institutes of Health, over 75 percent of Canadians have experienced a traumatic event significant enough to cause PTSD.* And although individuals often share similar symptoms, everyone’s experience with and response to trauma is different. Many people have the misconception that trauma or PTSD is something that you get only when you’ve served in combat or had your life threatened. But trauma can affect anyone—and for many reasons.
Exposure to high-stress situations, abusive relationships or adverse childhood experiences can all lower your natural tolerance to new trauma. And if you have suffered through infidelity or the loss of a loved one, the trauma is just as real and valid as any other. Unfortunately, many people think that their pain is too small for it to be a valid concern, so they continue to suffer in silence. But the truth is, walking around with all that turmoil inside, no matter how great or small, is like carrying a bucket of ice on your head. Each step you take, every decision you make is focused primarily on not letting that pain spill over—so you end up limiting how you live.
Sometimes, the natural temptation is to ignore the past, hoping it will resolve itself or that you’ll find a way through it on your own. But when you are in crisis, your whole perspective on life changes. It becomes distorted by fears and phantoms of the past—memories that should have been stored away but became crystallized in the present. Over time, the negative thoughts and fears can eat away at your sense of hope, leaving you vulnerable to anxiety, depression, PTSD and even substance abuse.
Fortunately, I can help you look at the world through a new lens, one that isn’t tinted by pain but sharpened by objectivity. Through our collaboration, you can develop the tools, skills and self-awareness to help shed the past and begin living with greater peace and autonomy.
PTSD Treatment Can Help You Take Control Of Your Emotions And Your Life
Working with a trauma therapist allows you to safely talk about your feelings and process your pain without being overwhelmed or re-traumatized by it. Therapy provides you with a new lens through which to look at yourself and your life so you can live without the spectre of fear and doubt clouding your perspective. And with the tools I provide, you can learn to regulate your emotions, face your past and re-assume control of your life.
As a matter of principle, I never want to rush the healing process. So we’ll start by gently looking at what brings you into the office and how you are being affected day-to-day. From there, I will offer you some education about how trauma works and help you feel more comfortable sharing your story. We’ll also work on building emotional regulation and mindfulness skills that will help you stay grounded and calm even if you feel momentarily threatened. Then, when you are emotionally ready and equipped to make the journey, we can begin looking into your traumatic experience in more detail.
I offer a structured framework for healing that gives you something tangible to work toward while simultaneously enabling us to measure your progress. However, my sessions are also flexible, so we can discuss any situations or challenges that may come up along the way. One of the research-driven tools I use for treating trauma and PTSD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you change negative thought processes or behaviours that are keeping you stuck while providing healthier ways of coping with trauma.
Another treatment model I use for trauma and PTSD is Eye Movement Integration (EMI) therapy. EMI uses guided eye movements to help you unlock and access memories so that you can process and move beyond their sense of immediacy. I also offer another multi-sensory approach to healing that uses talking, drawing and writing combined with relaxation techniques to help you access and process difficult emotions and memories.
Whatever you are going through, there is a way to release yourself from the grip of trauma and PTSD. I’ve been helping clients overcome debilitating fear and doubt since 2010, and I know from professional experience that you can be happier and in control. Please, let me help you find solace and a new perspective that will improve your quality of life and free you to be the person you want to be.
Perhaps you are thinking about treatment for trauma or PTSD but still have some concerns…
I’m terrified that I’ll have to relive those awful moments.
Right now, you are likely so afraid to upset that bucket on your head that you’re not really living for yourself—you’re just giving the pain what it needs to stay contained. But therapy acts as a strong, protective shield that allows you to look at your experience objectively without growing overwhelmed.
Because we’ll be working in a safe and supportive environment, there won’t be anything to threaten or harm you, even if your brain says otherwise. Moreover, with the tools I provide, you can learn to manage your fears and overcome any emotions that are holding you back.
I feel like my problem isn’t that big, considering how much other people suffer.
It’s always important to resist the urge to compare your pain or trauma to anyone else’s because every person’s experience with it is different. We are all unique and respond differently to stressful stimuli. What may leave an imprint on some people may not affect others. It’s just the nature of trauma and being human. So whether you feel your suffering is too great or too small, I ask you to love yourself enough to reach out for help regardless.
I really don’t know if I can make the time for trauma therapy.
Your mental health is the number one driver in your life. When you feel good, you are more engaged and in control of your life. But when you are suffering, life gets stuck and becomes indentured to old wounds that won’t heal on their own. Making time for self-care can lift the burden that you’ve been carrying and give you a new lease on life. But I understand that, sometimes, it may be more comfortable to conduct sessions from home, which is why I also offer online therapy, as well as teletherapy and in-person visits.
Let Me Offer You Hope And A New Perspective
You don’t have to live the rest of your life chained to the past. If you would like to begin living without fear or limitation, please call 613 730 9634 for your free 15-minute consultation to see how trauma counselling can help you reclaim your life.
***PLEASE NOTE, I DO NOT TAKE ANY NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME***
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