Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Ottawa, ON
Shauna Mayer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), CYI
With 25 years of experience in mental health, yoga therapy, and spiritual care, I bring a wealth of knowledge and compassionate support to our sessions. Are you looking for a therapist who provides a warm, collaborative, and empowering approach to healing? I believe that within each of us lies the strength and wisdom to create meaningful change and growth.
Jen Chan
RP (Qualifying), MACP (InP), BBA
I’m Jen, a therapist-in-training offering a safe, client-centred space to navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, cultural identity, relationships, parenting, workplace stress, and youth challenges. My integrative approach blends Person-Centred, ACT, EFT, and mindfulness-based, yoga- and somatic-informed practices.
Katherine McNichol
Registered Psychotherapist
Katherine is a Registered Psychotherapist with 8 years of experience supporting adults, couples, and teens through anxiety, trauma, depression, burnout and relationship issues. Trained in EFT, CBT, and EMDR, she takes a direct and compassionate approach to help clients move from surviving to thriving. She offers virtual psychotherapy across Canada and is current accepting clients.
Jessica Kurucz
Registered Social Worker
I provide support to adults and couples. I have experience working with individuals experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, gender issues, substance use, low self-esteem, stress-related issues, and chronic illness. I recognize that it takes a great deal of courage to make the decision to start counselling. I consider it a privilege to be invited into your life
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.
Jennifer Oakley
Registered Psychotherapist
I am a therapist honoured to support individuals looking for harmony and clarity in their life. I specialize in Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Early Childhood Trauma, Abandonment, PTSD, with a special interest in Adoption Loss and Reunion, Family Separation, and Family Conflict.
Cristal Hines
Clinical Social Worker & Therapist
I am a Registered Social Worker, and trauma therapist specializing in complex trauma, PTSD, family therapy, and racial trauma. I provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed care using CPT, CBT, DBT, and Narrative Therapy to help adolescents, adults, and families heal, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Justine Little
Registered Social Worker
Do you feel like you're stuck in old patterns? Are you always zoning out or in crisis mode? Do you struggle to connect with your body and aren't quite sure what it means to feel your feelings? Would you prefer to work with a queer therapist with experience supporting 2SLGBTQ+ folks and who is committed to integrating social justice into therapeutic work?
Maryfrances Garcia
Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Hey, if you’re looking for therapy without the clinical vibes and you’ve been feeling stuck, emotionally exhausted & disconnected, you’re in the right place. My 15+ years in social work & lived experience with trauma have shaped how I show up & why this work matters so much to me. No fake positivity, pressure, or judgment. Just real conversations. Swearing, snacks & comfy clothes welcome.
Samantha Duarte Alvarez
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
New clients are welcome! I'm Sam, a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario specializing in trauma, grief, and work stress for adults navigating difficult experiences and life transitions. Together, we work to make sense of what you’re experiencing, gently connect with your nervous system and emotions, and support meaningful shifts that feel aligned with who you are.
Shannon Deeley
Registered Psychotherapist
My approach is integrative and conversational with a focus on intersectionality and the therapeutic relationship. I have specialized training in ACT for ADHD, CBT-I (for Insomnia) and have worked with young parents and women who have survived or are fleeing violence.
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!
Anya Rameshwar
Therapist
In our first session, my priority is our connection. A positive initial connection will help the therapy relationship flourish. Through therapy, we will examine different parts of your life, your memories, past experiences and where you are at present.
Aida Retta
Registered Psychotherapist
You’ve always been the one others count on—the thoughtful one, the steady one. But under the surface, you might feel anxious, resentful, or quietly overwhelmed. You say yes when you want to say no. You shrink your needs to keep the peace. You care deeply, but sometimes feel like you’re disappearing in the process. These patterns often begin in relationships where love felt conditional, conflict w…
Sean Gedney
Registered Social Worker
I've had the privilege and honour of supporting individuals and families traversing palliative care, end-of-life care and as caregivers go through their grief journey for over 10 years. Additionally, I’ve supported clients through a wide range of challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. I will meet you where you’re at. I come from a long line of “listen-first, talk-seco…
Payton Newby
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
A warm and open therapist offering accessible therapy for ADHD, PMDD, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life stressors. I create a safe space to share your journey, using a blend of CBT, DBT, mindfulness, solution-focused, emotion-focused focused and humanistic therapy. Offering sessions for children, youth, teens, adults, couples, and families.
Catherine Sullivan
MSW, RSW
Trauma and EMDR therapy in the West End of Ottawa.
Jeremy Mayer
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker at Psychotherapy For You
Gina Lihou
Registered Psychotherapist
Trauma-informed and EMDR-trained, I offer a warm, collaborative space for healing and self-discovery. I help clients process trauma, navigate life transitions, and build emotional resilience. My approach affirms your identity and lived experience, supporting lasting change rooted in safety, clarity, and inner strength.
Alysha Bernstein
Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor & Traumatologist
I am a registered psychotherapist with a decade of experience in mental healthcare. I have built an authentic, client-centred, and empathic space in my private practice since 2020. We provide care for a wide range of mental health issues and couples or family conflict. My team is as accessible and affordable as possible and we are constantly learning new and better ways to support our clients
How do therapists in Ottawa, ON compare?
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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).
