Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Waterloo, ON

Nikki Ward
Nikki Ward

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Therapist & Clinic Owner at Electric City Wellness Accepting new clients both In-Person in Peterborough & Virtually throughout Ontario! Offering FREE 20-minute consultations!

Roja Vivekanand
Roja Vivekanand

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Life events and experiences are ongoing, and sometimes we are in a position where things may not go as we planned. If you are looking for help in dealing with distressing, difficult or unavoidable frustrations, it is the best time for you to speak to someone to gain some insight into these challenges. I appreciate your courage and applaud you for taking this first step to reach out.

Zeesy Halpern
Zeesy Halpern

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

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.

Brittany Forester
Brittany Forester

Registered Psychotherapist, HBA, ADHD-CP, CCTP, EMDR

Virtual

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.

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.

Joshua Peters
Joshua Peters

Psychologist (Supervised Practice)

Virtual

Life is a dynamic journey filled with both ‘high’ and ‘low’ moments. This process can feel even worse if you are alone or unsupported. In seeking help from a therapist, you have taken an important and admirable first step towards healing and growth. I offer you a warm welcome on your journey towards better mental health.

Jodi Evers
Jodi Evers

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

Providing person-centred, psychodynamic therapy for adults across a wide range of treatment goals. Using an integrative approach that considers the whole person, treatment is adapted to the individual and is deep, experiential, challenging, trauma informed and focused on the body, emotions, and patterns of behavior.

Carol D.B. Whaley
Carol D.B. Whaley

Psychotherapist

Virtual

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.

Shelley Sayle-Udall
Shelley Sayle-Udall

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

Virtual

I’m Shelley, a psychotherapist offering integrative, mind–body therapy that goes beyond talk therapy. My work combines insight with nervous system, physiological, and gut–brain understanding to help clients truly make sense of their experiences. Through psychoeducation and compassionate support, I help people reconnect with their inner wisdom and create meaningful, lasting change.

Yaroslav Grechkin
Yaroslav Grechkin

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate)

Virtual

You may look like you have it all together, yet quietly struggle with feeling “not good enough.” I help thoughtful, sensitive adults and couples navigate shame, self-doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional overwhelm. Together, we’ll uncover the patterns keeping you stuck and build a kinder, more authentic relationship with yourself.

Melilssa Donohue
Melilssa Donohue

Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist

Virtual

Hi, I’m Melissa — it is lovely to (virtually) meet you. I am a Registered Social Worker and the proud founder of Striving for Synergy Psychotherapy and Counselling Clinic. I offer individual psychotherapy for adults navigating trauma, anxiety, OCD, and attachment-related concerns. If what you read here resonates, I would be more than happy to connect for a free 20-minute consultation call. If yo…

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.

Vanessa Leggio
Vanessa Leggio

MSW, RSW

Virtual

Hello! I’m Vanessa, a couples therapist and trauma therapist. With both personal and professional experience, I’m dedicated to creating a safe space for healing and growth. I work with couples to rebuild trust, intimacy, and connection. For couples or individuals who are struggling with trauma, I use EMDR, a powerful and effective therapy that has helped many overcome and grow from trauma.

Mehek Somani
Mehek Somani

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Hi there! I'm Mehek. I'm glad you're here! I specialize in burnout, stress, people-pleasing, self-esteem and relationship issues, intergenerational trauma for POC and immigrant communities. Using an emotionally focused, attachment-based, IFS, DBT, trauma informed and culturally sensitive approaches, I offer online therapy across Ontario (Mon-Wed).

Donnica Campbell
Donnica Campbell

Registered Social Worker/ Psychotherapist

Virtual

Beginning therapy can feel like a vulnerable step, and it can also open the door to greater grounding, clarity, and self-connection. I work from a trauma-informed and inclusive approach. Together, we’ll explore what healing looks like for you, at a pace that feels supportive, and work toward feeling more connected, empowered, and well.

Kristy Brosz, MSW, RCSW
Kristy Brosz, MSW, RCSW

Registered Clinical Social Worker/Mental Health Therapist

Virtual

*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.

Justine Little
Justine Little

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

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?

Cayla Townes
Cayla Townes

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual Waitlist for new clients

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!

Nadine Cortez
Nadine Cortez

Registered Psychotherapist, MACP, ADHD-SP, EMDR, HBSc

Virtual

I take a trauma- and culturally-informed approach that pulling Narrative, Attachment and Emotionally Focused, EMDR, Narrative, and IFS therapy, but I ensure flexibility in how this applies to your goals. I have interest in mood & stress, immigration, identity & self-esteem, trauma, ADHD, and relationships. Walk & Talk (outdoor) therapy available in Windsor.

First Step Men's Therapy
First Step Men's Therapy

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

Disconnected. Isolated. Angry. Stuck. Many men we work with feel this way. You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, shame, trauma, addiction, or relationship difficulties while trying to hold everything together alone. At First Step Men’s Therapy, we help men better understand themselves, build healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with the life they want to live.

Waterloo, ON Therapists at a Glance

Number of therapists listed

159

Average years in practice

7 Years

Currently accepting new clients

99 %

Therapists in Waterloo, ON who prioritize treating:

100% Trauma and PTSD
75% Anxiety
49% Depression
49% Relationship Issues
33% Self Esteem
30% Emotional Dysregulation
28% ADHD
27% Grief

How therapists see their clients

100% Online Only

Top therapy approaches used in Waterloo, ON:

43% Trauma Focused
33% Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
30% Attachment-based
26% Person-Centered
24% Internal Family Systems (IFS)
23% Strength-Based
23% Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
22% Culturally Sensitive

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).