Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Waterloo, ON
Tina Bells
Registered Psychotherapist
You're carrying a lot. Memories you didn’t ask for, pain that shows up out of nowhere, the feeling that you've lost not just someone you love, but part of yourself. EMDR can be a powerful way to process what’s unresolved when you’re seeking relief, clarity, and a deeper sense of connection, with yourself and with others. When grief and trauma run deep, it’s not always easy to find the words and y…
Carly Quintero
Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
I have over eight years of experience counselling individuals from predominantly person-centred and narrative approaches, with a specific focus on developing treatment tailored to each client's unique needs and personality. I am confident working with anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional effects of chronic pain, substance abuse, eating disorders, grief, LGBTQ+ issues, and adjustment disorders.
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.
Alli Ewacha
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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.
Ivana Stanic
Registered Social Worker
I'm Ivana Stanic, MSW, RSW, offering individual and couples therapy for anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and relationship patterns including communication, trust, emotional connection, and life transitions. My approach draws on Gottman Method, EFT, CBT, and EMDR, built on six years of experience in the mental health field. I see clients virtually across Ontario and in person in Hamilton.
Michelle Philippe
Registered Psychotherapist, MA Counselling Psychology
I'm so glad you are here. Sometimes we can feel weighed down by sadness, anxiety, shame, a harsh inner critic, or not feeling “good enough”. This can sometimes occur with difficulty with people pleasing, perfectionism, chronic worry, or unreasonably high self-standards. Are you a high performer, an artist, athlete, dancer (or former)? Has a life transition or loss left you feeling overwhelmed? ...
Susan Merli
Registered Psychotherapist and Executive Coach
Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in patterns that no longer work? I help professionals and individuals navigate anxiety, stress, and life or career transitions. As a Registered Psychotherapist and Executive Coach, I offer a supportive, practical space to gain insight, build resilience, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
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…
Mandeep Lalli
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stuck? Maybe something feels wrong? I help people navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and relationship struggles, with culturally sensitive care that honours your full background, including pressures others may miss. As a South Asian therapist who spent 15 years in the corporate world, I bring lived experience and real-world context to therapy.
Lisa Demmer
Registered Psychotherapist, HBA, ADHD-CP, EMDR
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…
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.
Johanna Benoit
Registered Psychotherapist
NIHB provider, specializing in CPTSD and trauma, perinatal grief and loss, PTSD, anxiety, depression and borderline personality disorder.
Eleni Anagnosti
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), ADHD-CCSP, MS, HBA, BA
My approach is compassionate, culturally attuned, and collaborative. I draw from CBT, strengths-based, solution-focused, and trauma-informed approaches to support ADHD, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, life transitions, and relationship patterns. Together, we focus on building practical tools, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of self-trust.
Charlotte Pidgeon
Registered Psychotherapist
Charlotte Pidgeon Psychotherapy is a queer owned and orientated virtual psychotherapy clinic based in Toronto, ON. We are a collective of therapists offering individual, youth, couples, and low-cost therapy.
Amber Skoczek
RSW, MSW
With a specialization in Trauma Informed Care, I have years of experience supporting individuals to navigate their experiences. Using modalities such as EMDR, IFS, somatic based interventions and psychedelic assisted therapy, these approaches will help to you better understand whatever experiences you may be facing and develop strategies to move forward in a way that works best for you.
Matthew Klompus
Registered Psychotherapist
Hi! I'm Matt Klompus, and I am a registered psychotherapist working out of Kitchener, Ontario. I see clients virtually throughout Ontario. I specialize in ADHD, depression/anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem, and past trauma. I also work with couples. I primarily use a client-centered, strengths-based approach, bringing in elements of IFS, DBT and EFT.
Sanja Dejanovic, RP PhD
Registered Psychotherapist
Hi there! I'm Sanja. I support people seeking individual and couple or relational therapy. Here to assist you to move through difficult, challenging, or stress inducing experiences. We will work collaboratively to make sense of how past happenings impact your present while growing your capacity to navigate situations and relationships.
Yaroslav Grechkin
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Registered Counselling Therapist (Candidate)
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.
Sydney Tricand
Registered Psychotherapist
Are you navigating the tender seasons of family building, pregnancy, postpartum, or early parenthood? You might feel overwhelmed, unlike yourself, or wonder if you’re experiencing postpartum anxiety or depression. A tough birth, NICU stay, feeding issues, or grief may have shaken your sense of self, body, or relationships. Are you hoping to feel more seen and understood in this vulnerable time?
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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).