Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Courtenay, BC
Tracy Greenough
MPCC (Provisional), RTC Candidate
You don't have to keep carrying everything on your own. I help adults, teens, and couples overcome anxiety, trauma, overwhelm, and self-doubt through practical, evidence-informed counselling that helps you create lasting change-not just temporary relief.
Michael Peddle
Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Certified IFS Therapist
Since 2011, I’ve supported clients through trauma and attachment wounds using IFS as my core approach. I integrate EMDR, SFBT, and evidence-based techniques to help people heal burdens, strengthen inner safety, and reconnect with their most grounded, empowered selves.
Alexandra Goodall
MA, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Psychotherapist, EMDR
Somatic. Relational. Neurobiological. I am an integrative, somatically-oriented therapist. I support clients who find themselves facing change and growth, be that in relationships, contribution/vocation, trauma recovery, intergenerational legacy, sexuality or spirituality. More at www.alexandragoodalltherapy.com and www.redkitehealing.com
Cayla Townes
Registered Psychotherapist
After years of working in a variety of settings with clients struggling with different life challenges, there's not much I haven't seen. My goal is for clients to walk away from therapy with me feeling validated, supported, and confident using the skills and knowledge they've learned in sessions. I look forward to learning more about how I can support you. Schedule a free consult today!
Hitomi Yokota (she/her)
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
I specialize in relationship-based trauma and anxiety. My clients come to me for relationship challenges, Anxious or Avoidant attachment styles, people-pleasing, boundaries, and childhood trauma. I provide somatic therapies, EMDR, and Attachment-based therapy based on your needs.
Daniel Young
Registered Social Worker
I specialize in counselling for individual men, women, couples and families. I am dedicated to providing high-quality therapeutic care to my clients, utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities, including talk therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and other evidence-based approaches
Tyler Fong
Canadian Certified Counsellor
I hope to help facilitate your next steps of understanding and growth; we will work to reduce negative symptoms, process difficult experiences, and move toward your goals. I offer short-term and longer-term counselling through a variety of evidence-based approaches. We will collaborate on the style that best suites you. I offer Individual and couples counselling for adults or youth aged 12+.
Maya Dousti
Registered Psychotherapist
I am a BIPOC trauma therapist, and I work with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation, self-esteem, life transitions, racial/cultural issues, new parenthood, identity, family and interpersonal relationships. I work eclectically, borrowing from several modalities to meet my client's needs.
Sheri Sadowick
Professional Counsellor - B.A., RTCc, CT
West Kootenay based empathetic, trauma-informed counsellor and coach offering online Parent Support and Trauma Recovery Counselling, plus empowering 1-1 coaching. Founder of 'The Move Forward Method' 12-week online program for women healing. Travel the world with me... customized Adventure Travel Coaching! Sheri Lee Wellness: Healing with Intention ~ Growing with Purpose.
Raquel Nicolau
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Maya Awad
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), ADHD-SP, HBSc (she, her)
Accepting NEW clients - Are you feeling overwhelmed or like you’re carrying a lot on your own? Feel like you're doing everything you’re “supposed to do,” but something still doesn’t feel right? Have a desire to better understand your thoughts, emotions, or patterns, work on building confidence or self-esteem, or find support for your relationship?
Eleni Anagnosti
Pre-Licensed Professional, MS, HBA, BA
My approach is compassionate, culturally attuned, and collaborative. I draw from CBT, strengths-based, solution-focused, and trauma-informed approaches to support ADHD, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, life transitions, and relationship patterns. Together, we focus on building practical tools, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of self-trust.
Grant McMahon
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC 11135)
I offer virtual counselling to adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, relationship difficulties, grief, and major life transitions. For over 12 years, I've helped people understand the patterns that keep them stuck and build steadiness, clarity, and practical change in their lives.
Helen Beynon
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
I help thoughtful women transform “never enough” into calm confidence. If you look successful on the outside yet secretly wrestle with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or exhaustion from trying to keep it all together, you’re not alone. You don't have to stay stuck - together we’ll turn survival patterns into sustainable self-trust so you can enjoy relationships, work, and your own company.
Therapy Collective
Registered Psychologist/Counselling Therapist/Certified Counsellor
We are a group practice with psychologists, CCC's, CT's, and a therapy dog who offer counselling and formal psycho-educational assessments. We cover a broad range of presenting concerns for children, youth, families, couples, and individuals. We offer a variety of approaches as well: EMDR, Cognitive-Hypnotherapy, Art Therapy, Play-Based Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Attachment-Based, Somatic.
Elena Temelkova
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Life is beautiful, but it comes with pain. I believe our role here on earth is to become the highest version of ourselves and we all hold the means to do so. I always tell myself, "It's okay, this is your first time here. Take it slow. You are not supposed to be perfect, you are learning everything for the first time". Sometimes things happen that don't make any sense and we as humans can find ...
Vanessa Fingland
Master Practitioner In Clinical Counselling-Prov
Counselling for Women. I know how tired you are of feeling overwhelmed, stressed and not being able to get your needs met. Imagine how life could be if you could control your emotions, ask for what you want, and not feel guilty! I help women who struggle with: relationships, setting boundaries, confidence, communicating their feelings, stress, burnout, anxiety, anger/resentment.
Hazim Al-Faouri
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), CCC, MA, EMDR
Overwhelmed by life's pressures, past traumas, or relationship challenges? Want to understand how your thoughts and feelings connect to your overall sense of self? Seeking a therapist who gets your values and background, connecting you to your past, present, and future experiences? Let's work to explore your struggles or dive into understanding yourself better.
Mohamad Shabib
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Mohamad Shabib is a trauma-informed counsellor specializing in PTSD, addiction, and complex trauma. He integrates CBT, EMDR, and evidence-based approaches with a culturally responsive lens shaped by refugee and public health experience. He supports vulnerable populations, including refugees and first responders, in healing, resilience, and recovery.
Amanda Sparks
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy (CCPA), Canadain Certified Counselor (CCC), Registered Certified Counselor (RCC)
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy (CCPA), Canadain Certified Counselor (CCC), Registered Certified Counselor (RCC)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma and PTSD
What is trauma and when does it become PTSD?
Trauma refers to an overwhelming experience — such as abuse, accidents, assault, natural disasters, or witnessing violence — that exceeds a person's capacity to cope. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs when symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, and avoidance persist for more than a month and cause significant impairment. PTSD affects an estimated 9–10% of Canadians at some point in their lives.
Which therapy approaches are most effective for trauma and PTSD?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy have the strongest evidence for PTSD. Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is the leading approach for children and adolescents. Somatic and body-based therapies are increasingly used alongside these approaches for complex or developmental trauma.
What is complex trauma (C-PTSD) and how is it treated?
Complex PTSD arises from repeated, prolonged trauma — often in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or domestic violence — rather than a single incident. It involves additional features beyond standard PTSD, including difficulties with emotional regulation, identity, and relationships. Treatment is typically longer-term and uses phase-based approaches that build safety and stabilization before directly processing traumatic memories.
Do I have to talk about the traumatic event in therapy?
Not necessarily, and not right away. Effective trauma therapy begins with establishing safety and building coping skills before approaching traumatic memories. EMDR processes trauma without requiring you to narrate it in detail. Your therapist will move at a pace that feels manageable, and you always retain agency over what you address in each session.
Is it safe to start trauma therapy if I am currently in crisis?
Trauma therapy is most effective when you have some degree of stability and safety in your current life. If you are in acute crisis — such as active suicidal ideation, ongoing abuse, or severe dissociation — your therapist will prioritize stabilization and safety planning before any trauma-processing work begins. If you are in immediate danger, contact the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline or emergency services (911).