Trauma and PTSD Therapists in British Columbia
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Lisa Demmer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), HBA, ADHD-CP
Accepting NEW Clients – Is it hard to find motivation or let go of anxious thoughts? Do you feel stuck in low mood, the past, or like you’re going through the motions but nothing changes? Have you lost sight of yourself, or feel held back by experiences that continue to echo into the present? Maybe you’re wanting support with emotions, communication, relationships, identity, or finding meaning in…
Brittany Peddle
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I work with individuals who are looking to overcome their trauma by learning healthier coping skills and more helpful resources, and who want to do deeper processing work to resolve and release trauma in order to let go of the past and move forward in life. I offer both support and solutions, using a client-centered approach utilizing DBT, ACT, EMDR, Somatic Therapy and other modalities.
Loretta Laurin
Registered Clinical Counsellor
I specialize in relationships, trauma, and personal growth. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Relational Life Therapy (RLT) for couples, and Brain-Based Coaching with the Neuroleadership Institute. I offer individual and couples therapy in-person and online. As a relationship counsellor, I welcome and celebrate all relationships, including LGBTQIA2S+, polyamorous, and kink.
Anna Gwozdz - Bespoke Clinical Counselling
Certified Psychotherapist & Clinical Counsellor (CCC | HonMACP | BAPsych)
At Bespoke Clinical Counselling, Anna will take the time and care to learn who you are and what you need. She will develop a treatment plan and therapeutic approach tailored to you to ensure that your precise concerns are heard and your goals are met. Let Anna help you develop communication, boundaries, emotional regulation, self-love, and so much more. Let her join you on your path.
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)
Karina Ramdath (she/her)
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Karina will honour your skills, values, and experiences to help you improve your personal mental health, overcome trauma, and/or improve relationships. Karina provides effective therapy to help you achieve your wellness goals.
Willow Burton
Canadian Certified Counsellor
With me, you'll learn how your brain and nervous system work, and what to do to work with your body, not against it. Together, we’ll look at your medications, health conditions, thoughts, and lifestyle to find the path to living your best 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!
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.
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.
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.
Ferdie Mateos
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, ADHD-CP, EMDR, BA
Are you hoping to feel less "stuck," anxious, or sad? Is there a part of you hoping to reconnect with yourself and build confidence, build better boundaries, or understand how your childhood impacts your present? Do you want to learn coping strategies or skills for daily life or ADHD? Have you experienced a loss that you're looking to work through, or find stress is too present in your day?
Peter Kok
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Drawing from holistic psychology, traditional psychotherapy, and nature based practice, I offer empathetic, meaning driven counselling. I specialize in integrative counselling, emotional intelligence, and work around authenticity. I can offer the foundation for insight, self compassion, and motivation to help build a foundation for the future that holds more potential, creativity, and wholeness.
Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff - Forward Thinking Psychological Services
Registered Clinical Psychologist
At Forward Thinking Psychological Services (FTPS), we provide you with warmth, compassion and tools you need to move ahead in your life and achieve your goals. Our work is evidence-based, collaborative and values-based – ensuring that every individual is a participant in their treatment and is able to become their own therapist over time. We provide treatment to individuals, couples, and families.
Sandra Daoust
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling (MPCC-P)
You're not broken, and you don’t need fixing. At your core, you're whole. But life, trauma, loss, stress, and relationships can make you feel fragmented/out of alignment. My work is about helping you remember who you are beneath the layers: sovereign and capable of living an authentic life. My approach is collaborative to your unique lived experience. Healing is not linear, but it is possible.
Carol D.B. Whaley
Psychotherapist
I am a Vancouver based Psychotherapist in a diverse and inclusive Private Practice offering both in person and virtual sessions. I have over 22 years of extensive clinical experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups. I work with all ages on any issues that are getting in the way of the client experiencing life to its fullest in the very personal way they want to live.
Priscilla Dudas MA, MACP, RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology helping individuals and couples. I specialize in EMDR therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual and Couples Therapy, CBT, IFS and other modalities to help you improve mental health and well-being, offering psychotherapy for individuals from early adulthood through all ages.
Mark Watts
Master Therapeutic Counsellor
I offer compassionate and professional counselling to assist clients navigate their life's journey. I help clients with their challenges including anxiety, anger management, depression, grief, ADHD, relationships, traumas and personal growth.
Shadan Mosavat
Clinical Counsellor, M.A, CCC.
I work with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and ADHD to help them understand and embrace the parts of themselves that are often hidden beneath these labels. I also support parents in discovering their most authentic and confident parenting style, free from the pressure of societal myths and expectations.
Jay Hinton
Canadian Certified Counsellor and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I am happy to offer virtual counselling in most places in Canada, and my services are covered by most insurance plans (please check your own policy for details!). I pride myself on being inclusive and accepting in my practice and life, and I genuinely love the work that I do. I treat every individual as unique, and work with a range of tools in helping to craft an approach that work for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma & PTSD Therapy
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).