Trauma Focused Therapists in Ottawa, ON

Anastasia Berezowsky

Anastasia Berezowsky

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

My practice blends talk therapy and structured accountability to help you find balance and resilience—especially when life feels demanding and you need some direction. With a background in Kinesiology and Psychology, I take a whole-person approach that connects mind and body. I support clients who feel misaligned and need the space to untangle themselves from the stressors of every day.

Alli Ewacha

Alli Ewacha

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual In-Person

Allison Clayton

Allison Clayton

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Are you tired of the 'sunshine, butterflies and rainbows' idea of therapy? You aren't here for surface-level advice, trying to “just think positive,” or having to worry about judgment. I am here to provide you with tools that work individually for you and conversations that matter - on both a human level and from an evidence-based approach.

Stacy Kirkbride

Stacy Kirkbride

Registered Psychotherapist, Recreation Therapist

Virtual

I offer compassionate support for those living with chronic illness, pain, and post-injury life challenges. I specialize in helping you navigate the emotional and mental hurdles these bring. My goal is to help you reclaim your sense of self, cope with grief and loss, and rebuild your life with resilience and purpose. You're not alone--I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Geneviève Fontaine

Geneviève Fontaine

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual In-Person

Hi, I'm Geneviève! I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy for adults. My approach to therapy is guided by the belief that every individual deserves meaningful human connection: to be seen, to be heard, and to be acknowledged. As a queer therapist, my role is to provide guidance, support, and practical tools that empower individuals to make choices that enhance their well-being.

Mahum Ahmed

Mahum Ahmed

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

Struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or PTSD? You may feel overwhelmed or stuck and want deeper understanding—not just symptom relief. I offer compassionate, tailored therapy using evidence-based approaches like CBT. Together, we’ll build emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling, empowered future.

Yasmin Rombola-Bacchus

Yasmin Rombola-Bacchus

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Picture a road map through counselling therapy to find more meaningful connections with yourself & others, gaining more confidence & peace. Picture finding yourself again, a greater love for yourself & your life. Imagine a transformed you and a better future. In my practice, you will be provided with a safe & caring environment. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!

Navkiran Bajwa

Navkiran Bajwa

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

Hi! My name is Nav and I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario! I currently practice in Vaughan and offer in-person & virtual sessions! Feel free to contact me for a free 15 minute consultation to see if I'd be a good fit for your needs!

Grace Gao

Grace Gao

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

Grace is passionate about creating accessible and culturally responsive mental health support, particularly for individuals who may feel hesitant to seek formal counseling services. As a bilingual professional fluent in English and Mandarin, she values creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where clients feel heard and respected.

Allison Mundle

Allison Mundle

Registered Psychotherapist, Sandalwood Psychotherapy

Virtual

Online therapy for women in Ontario navigating anxiety, relationships, and emotional overwhelm. You may look like you are holding everything together, while inside you feel anxious, emotionally drained, or disconnected from yourself. Maybe you are used to keeping the peace, carrying too much, or saying yes when something inside you is saying no.

Christina Hong

Christina Hong

Registered Provisional Psychologist

Virtual

Hello there! I am Christina, I have a genuine love and care for connecting with people. I’m here to support you if anxiety has been making life feel heavy or overwhelming. I believe that, counselling at its core is the genuine collaborative connection of individuals coming together to navigate this wonderfully bizarrely life of ours. In my role, my mission is to create a warm, supportive, and j…

Denise Smith

Denise Smith

Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW

Virtual

Are you feeling overwhelmed and anxious with balancing work, relationships and/or parenting? Maybe you’re feeling unmotivated, disconnected from yourself and your loved ones and find your mood up and down. You might be struggling with a big life decision or change. It can be difficult to know how to move forward. I’ve been there and I understand how stressful it can be.

Gulrukh Khan

Gulrukh Khan

Registered Psychotherapist, Qualifying

Virtual

Helping South Asians, immigrants, and BIPOC individuals break free from cultural pressures, heal from trauma, people-pleasing, anxiety, guilt, and perfectionism as they embrace their true identity, and build a life that honours both heritage and personal well-being. At Empowering Roots in Brampton, Ontario, we offer culturally sensitive therapy tailored to your unique experiences.

Stephanie Campoli

Stephanie Campoli

MSW, RSW

Virtual

Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy is a trauma-focused practice in Oshawa, Ontario, offering in-person therapy and virtual psychotherapy across Ontario and Nova Scotia. The practice specializes in comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, and addictions treatment, with particular expertise in supporting people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and trauma.

Kumasi Jay Gwynne

Kumasi Jay Gwynne

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Relationships of any kind can be challenging. I never underestimate how complicated things can get once we tease out the relational pieces in our lives and try to understand how they are affecting us.

Paris Moaf

Paris Moaf

Registered Psychotherapist, M Psy, MSc, RP

Virtual

As the founder and clinical director of Paris Mind Clinic, Paris Parastoo Moaf specializes in helping clients manage and overcome depression, anxiety, PTSD, emotional disorders, grief, and relationship issues. Using CBT, DBT, MBCT, ACT, EFT, and Adlerian Therapy, Paris Parastoo Moaf tailors sessions to your unique needs.

Karina Ramdath (she/her)

Karina Ramdath (she/her)

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Virtual

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.

Meredith Bailey

Meredith Bailey

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I believe that as a therapist, it is a privilege to be invited into another person’s life & one I never take lightly. Reaching out for support may feel overwhelming, & the task of finding the right person for you can be daunting. I want to assure you this is a safe space, & my primary objective is YOU finding the right person for YOU. Your confidence in that decision is extremely important to me.

Kanica Coshal, MSW RSW

Kanica Coshal, MSW RSW

Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

Virtual

Welcome! My name is Kanica and I am a registered Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with children, teens and adults. I work from a trauma informed lens and specialize in providing support to individuals experiencing anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, parenting, school-related stressors (i.e. academics, attendance, bullying), self-harm, suicide, and self-e…

Daniel Wayow

Daniel Wayow

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Daniel is a therapist specializing in men’s issues, relationships, addiction, and depression, while also working with women and couples. Rejecting rigid, clinical therapy, he uses humor, curiosity, and holistic care—integrating mind, body, and spirit. With a background in fitness and NASM nutrition training, he offers a collaborative, down-to-earth approach so clients never have to do life alone.

How do therapists in Ottawa, ON compare?

Number of therapists listed

106

Average years in practice

5.9 Years

Currently accepting new clients

99 %

Therapists in Ottawa, ON who prioritize treating:

75% Anxiety
63% Trauma and PTSD
58% Relationship Issues
41% Depression
33% Emotional Dysregulation
27% Self Esteem
25% ADHD
24% Grief

How therapists see their clients

5% In Person & Online
95% Online Only

Top therapy approaches used in Ottawa, ON:

100% Trauma Focused
70% Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
57% Attachment-based
56% Person-Centered
56% Strength-Based
53% Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
49% Culturally Sensitive
49% Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Focused

What is trauma-focused therapy?

Trauma-focused therapy refers to a family of therapeutic approaches specifically designed to address the psychological impact of traumatic experiences. Rather than only managing symptoms, these approaches help clients directly process traumatic memories, reduce their emotional intensity, and integrate them into a broader understanding of their lives. Trauma-focused therapy is indicated for PTSD, complex trauma, childhood abuse, sexual violence, accidents, grief, and many other trauma-related presentations.

How is trauma-focused therapy different from general therapy?

General therapy often addresses current functioning, coping, and emotions without directly engaging with traumatic memories. Trauma-focused therapy explicitly targets the memories, beliefs, and physiological responses connected to past trauma. It typically follows a phased approach: establishing safety and stabilization, processing traumatic material, and then integration and reconnection with life. This structure is important because jumping to trauma processing before a client has sufficient stability can be destabilizing rather than helpful.

What trauma-focused approaches are most evidence-based?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy have the strongest research evidence for PTSD. Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is the leading approach for children and adolescents. Somatic therapies such as Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and phase-based models like EMDR-based FLASH and IFS, are also widely used for complex and developmental trauma where standard single-modality approaches may be insufficient.

How do I know if I need trauma-focused therapy rather than general therapy?

Signs that trauma-focused therapy may be particularly beneficial include: intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness or avoidance of trauma-related reminders, hypervigilance, difficulty trusting others, significant shame, or the sense that you have tried general therapy without full resolution of symptoms. An assessment with a trauma-trained therapist can determine whether and what kind of trauma-focused work is appropriate for your presentation.

Is trauma-focused therapy safe?

When conducted by a trained therapist using an established protocol, trauma-focused therapy is safe and effective. Reputable approaches are designed to keep arousal within a manageable "window of tolerance" — avoiding both re-traumatization and emotional shutdown. Stabilization work done before processing ensures that clients have sufficient coping resources. If you feel unsafe at any point in trauma therapy, you can and should communicate this to your therapist, who will adjust the pace and approach.