COUNSELLING for
TRAUMA & PTSD

How can Counselling help with Trauma

If you’re living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or with the impact of other traumas, our counsellors provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process and heal from the effects of their trauma.

We help to process traumatic experiences, identify and work through difficult emotions such as fear, anger, shame, and grief. Therapy also aims to help individuals develop coping strategies to manage symptoms of trauma-related stress, rebuild their sense of safety, self-worth and foster a more positive and nurturing relationship with oneself.

What is Trauma

Trauma can be defined as a psychological injury or wound that occurs as a result of experiencing a singular or a series of events that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope.

Both violent acute single event such as natural disasters, accidents, sudden death of a loved one, or a period of events over time, such as being a victim of abuse, or any experience that threatens one’s physical or emotional safety can result in a person developing a trauma response.

Trauma can be acute, resulting from a single, isolated event, or it can be chronic, stemming from ongoing stressors or repeated exposure to distressing situations. Trauma has a lasting effect on self or psyche, and can disrupt a person’s sense of self, stability, trust, and security in themselves, others, and the world around them.

Such traumatic experiences can range from relatively mild to extremely severe, and each type of trauma may have different psychological and emotional implications for the individual.

The Various Types of Trauma

Acute or single incident trauma
PTSD or chronic trauma
Complex or relational trauma
Developmental trauma

Trauma changes how our brain works, imprinting the experiences on our nervous system and onto our body. Each type of trauma may have different psychological and emotional implications for the individual.

Symptoms of trauma can vary widely and may include

Emotional Distress: Feelings of fear, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, numbing, and mood swings
Physical Symptoms: Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, or gastrointestinal issues.
Cognitive Signs: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or intrusive thoughts. Also having flashbacks, and/or nightmares
Behavioral Changes: Hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, increased irritability, or engaging in risky behaviors.
Relationship Challenges: Strained relationships with family, friends, or colleagues due to difficulty in trust or emotional intimacy.

The impact of trauma can be devastating. As resilient as we are, certain traumatic events can leave traces long after the experience is over. Counselling for trauma aims to help individuals to heal from their traumatic experiences, work through any unresolved trauma, build resilience, and move toward emotional healing and recovery.

Counselling for Trauma

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