Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Waterloo, ON
Li Li
Registered Psychotherapist
Li offers relational psychoanalytic and trauma-informed somatic/EMDR/IFS/EFT therapy, to support individual, couples and families in communities such as immigrants, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent (ADHD), and professionals, whose experiences resonate with her own life journey the most. She holds a compassionate, culturally attuned space where clients can express freely and rediscover their authentic self.
Joey Mercer
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I support adults and young adults healing from addiction, social anxiety, and depression, and guide trauma recovery through an EMDR-informed lens. As a non-Indigenous person working with Indigenous clients, I strive to honour a Two-Eyed Seeing perspective and practice with cultural humility. Recovery doesn't happen to you, it happens because of you. I'll be there beside you.
Michelle Strazzeri
MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist
MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist 15 years experience,
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.
Alicia Alessandrini
Registered Social Worker, EMDR, MSW, RSW
Drawing from many frameworks and trainings, including a Trauma-focused approach, Strengths-Based, EMDR, DBT, Narrative, and Attachment Therapy, our work together will be specifically built for you. I specialize in mood (anxiety, stress, depression), self-esteem, trauma, ADHD, and Autism. Claim your free consultation today.
Victoria Brassard Counselling
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Hi, I'm Victoria Brassard-Monahan, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with a Master of Counselling Psychology and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction). I am currently practising under the supervision of Kim Lawrence (BScH, MSW, RSW). I work best with folks seeking counselling for anxiety, ADHD support, burnout, grief, childhood trauma, PTSD, and relationship issues.
Gulrukh Khan
Registered Psychotherapist, Qualifying
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.
Laura Moore, M.Psy.
Registered Psychotherapist | Individual & Couples Therapist
I help individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges, infertility, betrayal, grief, anxiety, and major life transitions. My approach integrates psychodynamic, attachment-based, and evidence-based therapies to foster deeper insight, strengthen relationships, and support meaningful, lasting change.
Alli Ewacha
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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.
Valery Vengerov
Registered Psychotherapist
To those who have taken the courageous step of seeking out a therapist, I want to express my deep admiration and respect. Embarking on this journey takes tremendous willingness and courage, and I commend you for prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being. You are already demonstrating incredible strength, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
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.
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.
Lisa O’Donovan
Registered Psychotherapist
I offer Psychodynamic, trauma-informed therapy for adults and couples in-person in Burlington and virtually. I support clients navigating complex trauma, relationship difficulties, addiction and recovery, family dysfunction, and life transitions helping to uncover and understand emotional and relational patterns, process experiences, build greater self-awareness in a safe, compassionate space.
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.
Julia Tran
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
My therapy focuses include anxiety/ stress/ burnout, developmental and intergenerational trauma and family/relationship dynamics. I have a particular passion for supporting individuals who want to explore the impacts that their childhood experiences may have on their present day lives.
Hazim Al-Faouri
Registered Psychotherapist, 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.
Zeesy Halpern
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
I offer low cost therapy, including one free session for adults who are struggling with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, life transitions and experiences of trauma. If you have been feeling like you are going through the motions, unable to change unhelpful patterns and overwhelmed with life's challenges, therapy can help you reconnect with yourself, your goals and what matters.
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.
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…
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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).