Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Cowichan Valley, BC
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.
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?
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.
Eric Proulx
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Are you feeling stuck in the same unhelpful patterns? Is it becoming more and more difficult to live through anxiety, depression or emotional overwhelm? Reaching out can be hard, but it's the first step towards living a more intentional, fulfilling and joyful life.
Erin Ibrahim
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BA
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship stress, self-esteem struggles, or just feeling stuck, we can work through it together. Pulling from a variety of frameworks to instead suit your unique needs instead of making it feel one-size-fits-all, I have interest in anxiety, depression, relationships, attachment, neurodiversity, and self-esteem. I look forward to connecting!
Raquel Nicolau
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Kristy Brosz, MSW, RCSW
Registered Clinical Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist
*Chronic Illness/Rare Disease Therapist & Trauma/Grief Specialist* Kristy's practice focuses on the intersection between trauma and grief/loss. Kristy has a special interest in the areas of trauma, grief/loss, rare/chronic illness, palliative care, and adoption/foster/kinship care.
Zarifa Andani
MPCC-P, RTC-C
This work isn’t about fixing your parts—it’s about helping you feel more like your whole self again. We can work together to slow down, get curious, and listen deeply. Our internal body wisdom is an integral source of information that speaks more significantly than words. Real change is possible when ALL of you feels safe enough to be seen and supported, just as you are.
Deanna Smith
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
I help people who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or lost in their own life. Maybe you’re tired of holding it all together, reacting in ways you don’t like, or putting everyone else first and losing yourself in the process. I also support couples stuck in the same fight, feeling more like roommates, or scared to be honest.
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.
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!
Katharine De Santos
Registered Psychotherapist
Healthy Minds Psychotherapy was founded in 2018 with the mission of providing psychotherapeutic care to individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering resilience in each person and our community as a whole.
Denise Mansell, MACP, RSW, RCC, CCC
Registered, Clinical Counsellor, Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Feeling stuck, numb or overwhelmed by the world right now? Are you facing issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship problems? I offer professional, in-person Clinical Counselling, Grief Therapy & Registered Social Work services. Contact me to arrange a brief, complimentary consultation. If you are ready to get started, I have both in-person and remote session openings available.
Aaron Chin
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Hi, I’m Aaron, a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC# 21391) practicing online, and in person for clients in Surrey, BC. I strongly believe in the power of therapy to facilitate personal growth, healing, and empowerment. My approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their concerns.
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
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.
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.
Bonnie Koehn
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Canadian Counsellor
My practice is grounded in a holistic and non-pathologizing approach that is client-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. I offer authentically compassionate and accepting therapy so you can feel free to be yourself. My clients attend virtual therapy from their preferred location- whether that’s the comfort of home, a walk in the park, or over lunch break at work.
Brittany Forester
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), HBA, ADHD-CP, CCTP, EMDR
I take a trauma- and culturally-informed approach to supporting ADHD, trauma, stress, anxiety, and couples, and I have a passion for helping people build confidence in themselves. I draw from many frameworks such as EMDR, Narrative, CBT, DBT, IFS, as well as EFT and Gottmans with Couples.
Melanie Zimerman
Canadian Certified Counsellor
I provide counselling to individuals aged 10 and above as well as I offer sessions in both English and Spanish. I have experience working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, trauma and PTSD, stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, BPD, and more. I offer an integrative approach consisting of finding what is best suited for you and your needs. This includes Cognitive-Behaviour Therap…
How do therapists in Cowichan Valley, BC compare?
Number of therapists listed
Average years in practice
Currently accepting new clients
Therapists in Cowichan Valley, BC who prioritize treating:
How therapists see their clients
Top therapy approaches used in Cowichan Valley, BC:
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).