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Trauma Counselling

Difficult or overwhelming experiences can continue to affect your emotions, relationships, self-esteem, and sense of safety.

Ocean Health Clinic provides compassionate, trauma-informed counselling in Downtown Vancouver and virtually across British Columbia.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma can develop after a single distressing event, repeated difficult experiences, or situations that leave you feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or emotionally affected.

The effects may appear immediately or become noticeable later through anxiety, emotional distress, relationship difficulties, avoidance, or low self-esteem.

You do not need a formal diagnosis to seek counselling support.

Signs Trauma May Be Affecting You

Trauma can affect everyone differently. Common experiences may include:

  • Anxiety or feeling constantly on alert

  • Emotional overwhelm or difficulty calming down

  • Avoiding certain situations, memories, or conversations

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Relationship or attachment challenges

  • Low self-esteem, guilt, or shame

  • Sleep or concentration difficulties

  • Feeling emotionally disconnected or numb

  • Difficulty setting boundaries

  • Repeating unhealthy emotional or relationship patterns

How Trauma Counselling May Help

  • Trauma counselling provides a supportive space to better understand your emotions, reactions, and experiences.

  • Counselling may help you:

  • Recognize emotional triggers and patterns

  • Develop grounding and coping skills

  • Improve emotional regulation

  • Strengthen boundaries and communication

  • Build confidence and self-compassion

  • Understand relationship and attachment patterns

  • Process difficult experiences at a manageable pace

  • Develop a greater sense of stability and control

Our Trauma-Informed Approach

  • Our approach is collaborative, respectful, and centred around your individual needs.

  • You will not be pressured to discuss experiences before you feel ready. Your counsellor will work with you to establish goals and move at a pace that feels manageable.

  • Depending on your needs, counselling may incorporate:

  • EMDR therapy

  • Somatic therapy

  • Attachment-based approaches

  • Mindfulness-based techniques

  • Emotion-focused counselling

  • Internal Family Systems-informed approaches

  • Clinical hypnotherapy

What to Expect

  • During your first appointment, you can discuss your current concerns, how they are affecting your daily life, and what you hope to gain from counselling.

  • You do not need to explain every detail of your experience during the first session.

  • Together, you and your counsellor can develop a personalized approach based on your goals, comfort level, and individual needs.

Frequently asked questions

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