Art therapy can be especially effective for helping people through trauma and with PSTD. So often our impactful negative experiences are too painful or difficult to put into words, and talk therapy just doesn't cut it. Through creative expression, we can access the deeper psyche truths and process information in a safe container together.
Just because something very difficult and negatively impact-full happened to you doesn't necessarily mean you experienced trauma. Trauma is the bodies way of telling us we have not resolved a past event or period of extreme stress over time. There are steps you can take to change how past events continue to impact you today. Freedom from the past is possible.
We used to think trauma was a car accident, a war scene, or a violent assault. But today we know the signs of post-traumatic stress are apparent in most of us. Learning how to manage the symptoms and regulate your emotions will help your life feel like yours again.
Licensed Professional Counsellor, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Trauma is a reaction that individuals have in response to an event that they perceive as overwhelming. Responses to trauma can be so overwhelming that completing daily tasks, such as going to work, or getting out of bed, may be a struggle. A significant symptom of trauma is feeling as if the traumatic event is still happening, sometimes, even years after the event occurred.
In therapy, we go through various stages of trauma work that help clients regain safety and wellbeing. Through experiential exercises clients have the opportunity to re-tell their story in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. I also offer multiple techniques that alleviate anxiety and help "put the brakes on" in case trauma work becomes too overwhelming.
Once clients have strategies to cope with their trauma symptoms, which may include sadness, anger, and/or dissociation, they often experience renewed hope for the future. Additionally, I help clients gain insight into their internal experiences through psychoeducation on the relationship between trauma responses and brain activity.
I use a trauma informed approach to help clients recover from trauma and PTSD. This is paired with grounding tools and is done at the pace which feels most comfortable for clients. I work with all types of traumas.
I have had the privilege of supporting numerous clients who have confronted profound challenges related to trauma and are navigating the enduring impact it has left on their lives. My primary focus is on alleviating the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from these experiences and guiding individuals toward a path of healing. Together, we work towards fostering a sense of safety and embarking on a journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Licensed Mental Health Counsellor, Counsellor, BA, MSEd, RCC
I have experience supporting clients of all ages in working through trauma. I am trained in a variety of highly effective therapeutic approaches for trauma and PTSD symptoms including cognitive behavioural therapy, etc.