Trauma Counselling
At Family Life Psychology and Wellness our team consists of trauma informed practitioners who understand the complexities that trauma can bring to life. In order to understand and effectively help our clients we highly value specific trauma interventions such as (although not limited to), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the Grief Recovery Method (GRM).
Trauma therapy focuses on creating safety and supporting individuals in healing. Often the term trauma is associated with the description of “feeling stuck” or being unable to move past prior experiences and instead living them out perpetually without your permission. The body is beautifully complex and when we can listen, thoughtfully journey, and impart understanding, the body, mind and soul begin to heal. Healing is not impossible but the process does require a development of safety, trust and openness with a skilled practitioner in the area of trauma. At Family Life it is not only our ethical responsibility to give you that client experience but it is our deep honor to facilitate such meaningful experiences and healing.
Being a trauma informed therapist means we understand that feelings of shame, guilt, regret or remorse are not easily replaced with different thought patterns. We need to go deeper and it is a delicate dance of trust between the client and the therapist. Developing a strong therapeutic relationship that exemplifies values of physical and emotional safety, trust and authenticity are important factors for efficacious trauma informed care. At Family Life we seek to honor the client in every session by tailoring interventions that are uniquely beneficial to the individual. Interventions are created by understanding each client’s trauma history, triggers and specific needs to experience successful treatment.
Trauma is not a one size fits all experience. Everyone responds differently to trauma. Some traumas are bigger than others and some traumas are seemingly smaller than others but can have just as difficult an impact. We all have a unique nervous system and process information differently so trauma is categorically different for each individual. This is why at Family Life your story is uniquely important as it helps tailor an approach to therapy that suits you.
Trauma can be personally experienced at any time of life or witnessed thereby making it vicarious trauma. In terms of assessing trauma for children, Adverse Childhood Experiences or (ACE scores) is a helpful tool to understand the gravity of trauma an individual has been exposed to or has experienced.
Researchers have identified 10 adverse childhood experiences that are likely to incite trauma:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Physical neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Parent/Child Family member or caretaker mental illness & Attachment
- Family member or caretaker substance abuse
- Witnessing violence against the mother
- Having a relative sent to jail or prison
- Losing a parent due to separation, divorce, or death
Everyone has different experiences and a unique story. Some may experience trauma from less pronounced negative life events but may still exhibit some of the signs and symptoms of trauma:
- Emotional pain that translates to physical pain or chronic health conditions
- Difficulties in emotional regulation
- Heart palpitations, sweaty palms and avoidance of specific spaces, memories or smells
- Increased sleep or insomnia
- Change of eating habits
- Uncontrollable anger or rage
- Excessive worry and/or panic attacks
- Intrusive thoughts and memories
- Nightmares and Nighterrors
- Loss of memory/difficult to concentrate
- Nervous system in a perpetual state of hyperarousal
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Frequent dissociation and feeling numb
- Inability to cope and feelings of hopelessness
If you can relate to any of the signs of trauma listed we are here to help you today. You may feel like at times your emotions have you rather than you being in control of them. Maybe you feel frustrated that you want to change but you can’t actually make the right decisions when you want to. Your mind could be flooded or you could struggle with apathy. We understand trauma manifests unique to the individual and can impair your everyday experience of life and what you hope it to be. We have highly trained and qualified practitioners ready to help you heal from symptoms and emotional distress that are a result of disturbing life experiences. Call and book with one of our practitioners today.
How Can Trauma Counselling Help?
- Sleep better
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Heal from illnesses
- Better manage chronic pain
- Identify and manage triggers
- Create a stronger network of support
- Tailor your life so you have the necessary space to heal
