Trauma Therapy and Counselling in BC

Trauma is the lasting impact of a difficult experience. It can affect your mood, relationships, and sense of safety. Healing is possible—and freedom is on the other side.

We Are Here for You

All services available in-person or online. Flexible, judgement-free, and always confidential.

Give us a call at 778-860-3120 or schedule your initial 15-minute consultation online. Prefer to text? We’ve got that too.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is an emotional response to an individual's experience as a result of living through a distressing event.

Living through a traumatic situation can have an impact on an individual’s self-esteem, emotional well-being, sense of safety, mental health, ability to form or maintain healthy relationships, and more. Immediately following the event, it is common for individuals to experience feelings such as shock and denial. Long-term emotions could include shame, powerlessness, helplessness, and even fear.

For those interested in learning more about positive changes that can occur after trauma, the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors’ Insights Winter 2024 issue discusses Post-Traumatic Growth, including how some individuals may develop increased resilience, stronger relationships, and a greater appreciation for life.

Trauma Looks Different for Everyone

Traumatic events can be difficult to define, since the reactions to a certain event could vary between individuals. The same event could be more traumatic for some people than others. Traumatic events typically include:

A single event (e.g., a car accident, the sudden death of a loved one, violent assault)
An event that occurred in the past (e.g., living through a natural disaster or a war, childhood neglect, a racist or discriminatory encounter)
An ongoing situation (e.g., physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, poverty, violence in the community, living with a loved one with mental health or substance use disorders)

Healing Begins in the Nervous System

Trauma lives in the nervous system. It can show up as anxiety, shutdown, people-pleasing, rage, exhaustion, or a constant feeling that something is wrong — even when everything looks “fine.” It can make daily life harder:

Whatever your story, your response makes sense. You adapted. You survived. And now you deserve to rest.

Gentle Guidance at Your Own Pace

Trauma-informed counselling means we are going to work to create a space that helps you feel safe and secure. We believe you when you share with us your story, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. We are inspired to work together – with your guidance – to find a way to support you to move through your trauma.

All of our counsellors are trauma-informed — not just in theory, but in practice, in heart, and in how we are with you. We understand that trauma isn’t always about a single big event.

Free Resource Guide

If you are a highly sensitive person, have experienced trauma, or are neurodivergent, you may find that you experience anxiety more frequently than others. This is not a flaw — it’s a reflection of your sensitive nervous system doing its best to keep you safe in a world that may often feel unpredictable or overwhelming.

What to Expect

Our Counselling Process

At Healing Spaces, our neurodivergent-affirming approach centres around collaboration. We adjust each session to your needs, pace, and comfort level.

First Steps

Start with a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll learn about your needs and connect you with the right counsellor.

During Sessions

Sensory-friendly adjustments to make therapy comfortable
Clear, direct communication
Practical strategies for emotional regulation and stress management
Strengths-based focus, never deficit-based

Ongoing Support

We walk with you long term, adapting strategies as your needs change. Our goal is to empower you to feel understood, supported, and accepted.

Compassionate Support, Rooted in Safety and Respect

We move slowly. We listen deeply. We follow your pace and your body’s cues, not a checklist. You don’t have to be “healed” to begin healing. You don’t have to tell the whole story to be cared for. You don’t have to carry this alone.There is nothing wrong with you — only things that happened to you. We’d be honoured to support you, gently, as you find your way back to yourself.

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

Our goal is greater peace and freedom for you. If you do pursue trauma counselling, we will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you and support you to process all that you need to do along the way. We might need to move through some tough moments to get through to the sunshine on the other side. We will be with you every step of the way.

We would be honoured to walk with you at this time.

Trauma Counselling In-Person or Virtually

Trauma counselling can be hard work. It can be so scary to be ready to move into the fire and reconnect with the traumatic experience you lived through. You might not be ready to go right into the tough stuff and you might take your time! You might be ready to dive in and move through the tough stuff. This is great and we would love to move at the pace that works for you.

Honoring Your Strength and Supporting Your Healing

We believe it is important to unpack and explore the traumatic event you lived through, the impact it had on you, and how the trauma is still alive and affecting you today.

We think you are remarkable and powerful to have lived through what you lived through and we want to support you to find greater healing and freedom from this challenging experience. We believe in you and we would be honoured to walk alongside you at this moment in your healing.

EMDR Therapy at Our Center

We have counsellors on our team trained in EMDR who know the power of it and how it can bring deep healing. If you are interested in this approach specifically, please make a note when you reach out.

Recovering from Trauma

If you’ve recently experienced a traumatic event, please reach out as soon as you can. Research shows that seeking support early can help recovery go more smoothly.

If you’re ready to explore past trauma, we’re here for you. We understand how hard it is to open up about difficult experiences, and we admire your courage. With the care of our trauma-informed counsellor, you can trust that we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you.

Online Trauma Therapy Throughout BC

If you are feeling ready to explore trauma therapy and prefer to be in the comfort of your own home, we can make that happen! Our skilled trauma-informed counsellors provide in-person and online therapy.

We would love to meet you where you are at and support you move through your trauma towards a brighter tomorrow.

Somatic Therapy

Gone are the days when you go to counselling and try to find a positive spin for your negative thoughts! We love affirmations and yet when we are in trauma therapy, we need to go deeper. Somatic therapy honours the wisdom of the body and the memories it holds. When we connect to our body while we are healing from our trauma we can elicit powerful shifts that can bring us closer to freedom and peace.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was founded by Francine Shapiro. She uncovered, as she was processing her own health difficulties, that when she darted her eyes back and forth she seemed to feel better and less scared. She uncovered the power of bilateral stimulation in supporting desensitization to a disturbing thought/event and a reprocessing towards a more helpful thought/event.

We have practitioners available in Kamloops and Vancouver who specialize in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, as well as a clinician based in Vancouver/North Vancouver trained in Compassionate Inquiry, an approach developed by Gabor Maté.

Why Choose Healing Spaces?

We provide compassionate, personalized support in a safe, understanding environment. Explore challenges, build skills, and find healing at your own pace. Guiding you every step toward healing and growth.

Online or in-person support

Experienced, compassionate team

Your wellness is top priority

15-minute free discovery call — no charge

Strategies for Regulating and Supporting Oneself Outside of the Counselling Room

If you have recently lived through a traumatic experience, the road to healing can seem long and daunting. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to help you move forward in the right direction. We are here to help you find healthy ways to cope with trauma outside of the counselling room.

Taking proactive measures to reduce stress and anxiety is extremely important. This can be achieved through many ways, one of them being meditation and breathwork. Simply closing your eyes and taking deep breaths can improve stress levels and help you feel more relaxed.

Another helpful tip would be to stay active with exercise. Practicing physical movement can help release endorphins. If vigorous exercise isn’t your thing, simply taking a walk or stretching can also help. Anything that allows you to move your body will help you relax.

Do not isolate yourself. Reaching out to friends and family can help you work through and process your emotions in a healthy way. Instead of bottling your emotions, talk to people you trust about how you are doing.

Lastly, it is crucial to practice self-care as much as possible. Take some time for yourself to engage in activities that make you feel happy. Even just taking breaks throughout your day can go a long way. Healing from trauma is a time to be gentle with yourself.

" You Are Not Alone in Your Healing "

Traumatic events can occur at any age and can have long-term harmful effects. Everyone’s reaction to trauma may be different. If you have recently experienced a traumatic event, or are ready to work through your trauma, please know that you are not alone. Our trauma counsellors are ready to support you throughout your healing journey.

FAQs

Do I need to talk about my trauma in detail for therapy to work?

Not at all. You never have to share more than you feel ready for. Many people begin trauma therapy without discussing the full story. Healing can still happen through body-based work, grounding techniques, and gentle exploration, always at your pace.

What if I’m not sure whether what I went through “counts” as trauma?

If it impacts you deeply, it matters. Trauma is not only about major events, it can be the result of chronic stress, emotional neglect, or experiences that left you feeling unsafe, unseen, or powerless. You deserve support, no matter how your trauma looks.

How do I know if I’m ready for trauma therapy?

Feeling unsure is completely normal. You don’t have to feel “ready” in a big way — just curious about the possibility of healing is enough to begin. We’ll meet you wherever you are and support you gently, whether you’re just starting to process or further along.

What is somatic therapy, and how is it used for trauma?

Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between body and mind. Trauma often lives in the body, even when memories fade. Somatic work helps you tune into physical sensations, release tension, and reconnect with safety without needing to relive the trauma verbally.

Can I do trauma counselling online, or is in-person better?

You can absolutely do trauma therapy online. Many clients feel more comfortable and grounded in their own space. Our counsellors are experienced in creating safe, connected virtual sessions that are just as effective as in-person support.

Post Traumatic Growth

Comprehending post-traumatic growth as positive change that can emerge after struggling with adversity.

Let’s Talk.
It’s Free.

New here? Your first 15-minute consultation is completely free — no strings attached. Let’s connect and match you with the counsellor who best fits your needs.