Trauma Therapy in Vancouver & Port Moody

This is such a common and valid concern. We work at a pace that feels safe for your nervous system. Before diving into any heavy material, we’ll help you develop concrete tools for grounding and regulation. You’re always in control of what we explore and how deeply we go.

This is a deep and complex concern that many of our clients share, especially those from tight-knit communities. We can explore ways to honor your relationships while still creating space for your healing.

This is completely normal and common. Our bodies often protect us by storing traumatic memories in different ways – some memories might be fragmented, stored in the body, or completely blocked. We don’t need to uncover every detail to support your healing. We can work with whatever you remember, whatever your body is ready to share, and the symptoms or patterns you’re experiencing now. Sometimes memories emerge naturally during the healing process, and sometimes they don’t – both are valid paths to healing.

Many people have had therapy experiences that focused on symptom management without addressing the root causes or cultural context of their trauma. If you were told to just use coping strategies or felt like your therapist didn’t understand your identity or experiences, our approach is different. We examine both individual healing and systemic factors contributing to your trauma. We validate your experience and recognize that trauma responses often make sense given your circumstances. Our justice-oriented approach integrates multiple therapeutic modalities and honors your cultural background and lived experience as sources of strength and wisdom.

Trauma counselling in Vancouver and Port Moody helps you process and integrate traumatic experiences beyond traditional symptom management. Our approach recognizes that trauma isn’t just individual – it’s often rooted in systems of oppression and collective experiences. Through integrating talk therapy with evidence-based therapies like EMDR, somatic therapy, nature-based therapy, and expressive arts, we help you reclaim agency in your healing journey and develop sustainable ways of moving through the world. Sessions can be virtual across BC or in-person at our Vancouver and Port Moody locations.

We work with all forms of trauma, including childhood trauma, sexual violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, medical trauma, intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, LGBTQ+ trauma, and complex trauma. We also address systemic trauma from navigating oppression, discrimination, and marginalization. Our approach recognizes that trauma can be a single incident or ongoing experiences, and we understand how different forms of trauma intersect and compound. Whether your trauma happened recently or decades ago, we provide support that honors your unique experience.

We understand that much trauma stems from navigating systems of oppression, including racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. Our anti-oppressive approach recognizes that your trauma responses often make complete sense given the systems you’ve had to navigate. We don’t pathologize your responses to oppressive systems – instead, we help you understand your experiences in context, develop strategies for resistance and resilience, and connect with your cultural strengths and community resources. Our team of counsellors brings lived experience and specialized training in working with marginalized communities.

Yes, we have extensive experience working with complex trauma and PTSD. Complex trauma often results from prolonged, repeated experiences of abuse, neglect, or systemic oppression, particularly during childhood. Our approach integrates multiple therapeutic modalities to address the various ways complex trauma impacts your nervous system, relationships, and sense of self. We understand that complex trauma affects emotional regulation, attachment patterns, and your relationship with your body. Our somatic therapy and EMDR approaches are particularly effective for processing complex trauma.

Long before therapy was professionalized, communities often engaged in healing from traumatic events through reconnecting with ritual, ceremony, spiritual traditions, and community wisdom. Many cultures have rich traditions around trauma healing that colonization tried to erase, and we support you in reconnecting with practices that feel meaningful. We welcome and honor these aspects of your experience, integrating them with other therapeutic modalities in ways that feel authentic to you. We also recognize that some people are navigating trauma while questioning or exploring their spiritual beliefs, and we hold space for that complexity too.

Absolutely. These are common trauma responses that often indicate your nervous system is trying to process overwhelming experiences. Our somatic therapy approach specifically addresses how trauma is held in the body and nervous system. We help you understand these responses as your body’s attempt to heal, develop grounding and regulation techniques, and use body-based interventions to support your nervous system. EMDR therapy is also highly effective for processing traumatic memories and reducing the intensity of flashbacks and nightmares.

Your first session begins with a free 15-minute consultation where we’ll discuss your specific trauma experience and match you with the right counsellor. In your first full session, we’ll focus on creating safety and building trust. We’ll explore what brings you to therapy, discuss your current symptoms or concerns, and begin developing grounding and regulation tools before diving into any heavy material. You’re always in control of what we explore and how deeply we go. There’s no pressure to share more than feels comfortable, and we’ll work at your pace. Sessions are 50 minutes and can be virtual or in-person at our Vancouver or Port Moody offices.

Yes, our practice is specifically designed to support SDQTBIPOC+ communities who often experience unique forms of trauma related to discrimination, violence, and systemic oppression. Our counsellors understand how racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of systemic harm create and compound trauma. We provide culturally responsive therapy that doesn’t require you to explain or justify your identity. We also work with survivors of sexual violence, childhood abuse, medical trauma, and other specific trauma experiences with specialized understanding of how these traumas intersect with identity and systemic oppression.

Healing from trauma is not linear, and everyone’s journey is different. Some people notice shifts in their symptoms and coping within a few sessions, while deeper integration and healing typically takes several months to years of consistent work. Rather than focusing on a specific timeline, we work together to identify what healing looks like for you and celebrate progress along the way. Some clients work with us intensively for several months, others prefer longer-term support, and many return periodically for tune-ups or during difficult periods. Book a consultation to discuss your specific situation and what might work best for you.

Both options can be equally effective. Virtual sessions offer convenience, accessibility, and comforts of being in your own space, while in-person sessions might feel more grounding for some. We can explore what feels right for you, and you’re welcome to switch between the two.

Life happens! We ask for 24 hours notice for cancellations or changes. This helps us maintain accessibility for our community and sustainability for our practice.

Yes, we can work with you to create supporting documentation in session when needed. We’ll discuss this during your session to ensure we understand your needs and can support you appropriately.