Trauma Counselling

Trauma can affect how you feel, think, relate to others, and respond to everyday situations. After an overwhelming or frightening experience, you may find yourself feeling anxious, on edge, exhausted, disconnected, or unable to feel as safe as you did before.

Traumatic stress can develop after a single event or through difficult experiences that occur repeatedly over time. The effects can also continue long after the original situation has ended.

I provide trauma and PTSD counselling in Metrotown, Burnaby, with both in-person and online sessions available.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma does not look the same for everyone. People can experience traumatic stress following very different kinds of events and circumstances.

Single-Event Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Traumatic stress can develop after a sudden or overwhelming event such as a motor vehicle accident (MVA), medical emergency, natural disaster, assault, or witnessing violence.

You may continue to feel unsafe or on alert even after the immediate danger has passed. Memories, situations, places, or physical sensations can sometimes trigger strong emotional or physical reactions connected to what happened.

Complex and Developmental Trauma

Trauma can also develop through difficult experiences that happen repeatedly over time. These may include abuse, neglect, psychological control, unstable or frightening relationships, or growing up in an environment where you frequently felt unsafe or had to “walk on eggshells.”

Experiences earlier in life can influence how you understand safety, trust, relationships, boundaries, and yourself. These patterns can sometimes continue into adulthood even when your present circumstances are very different.

How Traumatic Stress Can Affect You

Traumatic stress can affect people emotionally, physically, and relationally. Your reactions may be different from someone else's, but common experiences can include:

  • Hypervigilance and Anxiety: Feeling constantly on edge, jumpy, watchful, or unable to relax.

  • Intrusive Memories: Unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or strong emotional reactions to reminders of what happened.

  • Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, conversations, driving routes, or situations that remind you of the experience.

  • Physical Reactions: Muscle tension, sleep difficulties, exhaustion, irritability, or other physical reactions when you feel stressed or threatened.

  • Relationship Patterns: Difficulty trusting others, setting boundaries, feeling safe in relationships, or becoming caught in patterns such as people-pleasing.

  • Shame and Self-Criticism: Feeling guilt or shame about what happened, how you responded, or difficulties you continue to experience.

ICBC Counselling After a Motor Vehicle Accident

A motor vehicle accident can affect you both physically and emotionally. You may experience anxiety while driving, fear of another accident, intrusive memories, difficulty sleeping, irritability, or increased alertness on the road.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, counselling may be covered through ICBC.

  • 12 Pre-Approved Sessions: ICBC currently provides up to 12 pre-approved counselling sessions during the first 12 weeks following a crash. You will need an ICBC claim number to access pre-approved treatment.

  • Additional Treatment: If you continue to need counselling beyond the initial treatment period, additional sessions may be requested from ICBC based on your recovery needs.

I can work with you on the emotional effects of the accident while also completing the necessary ICBC treatment reporting when required.

Working Toward Trauma Recovery

Recovery from trauma is not about simply forgetting what happened. Counselling can help you better understand your reactions, develop ways of managing difficult emotions and triggers, and gradually strengthen your sense of safety and control.

Depending on your experiences and what you need, we may work with thoughts and emotions, physical reactions to stress, relationship patterns, boundaries, coping strategies, and ways of responding when memories or reminders become overwhelming.

We will work at a pace that feels manageable for you. The goal is to help the past have less control over how you experience your life in the present.

Book a free 20-minute phone consultation

You can also reach me at 604-719-7555. If I am in a session, feel free to text or leave a voicemail. I will get back to you as soon as I can. We can figure this out together.

Other counselling services: Anxiety and Depression Counselling

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Areas of Practice

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Complex Trauma

  • Developmental and Childhood Trauma

  • Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Trauma

  • ICBC Counselling

  • Anxiety and Hypervigilance

  • Intrusive Memories and Avoidance

  • Shame and Chronic Guilt

  • Boundary Challenges and People-Pleasing

  • Attachment and Relationship Patterns