Counselling For Trauma and PTSD

Virtual sessions: BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba

In-person Sessions: Available for Vancouver residents only.

At One Collective Therapy, we specialize in helping individuals navigate traumatic events caused by narcissistic abuse, workplace events, and hurtful relationships.

Trauma often feels like an internal alarm system that won’t turn off. It is a physiological response to events that were too much, too fast, or too overwhelming for your system to process at the time. You might find that your body stays on high alert, reacting to the present as if the past is still happening. This isn't a sign of weakness; it is your brain’s way of trying to protect you, even when the threat has passed. Whether your experience was a single event or a long-term struggle, these responses are deeply human ways of surviving the unthinkable.

Early recognition and compassionate, evidence-based care (therapy, social support, safety planning, medical evaluation) help reduce the potential long-term impacts of trauma.

Potential Impacts of trauma symptoms:

  • Interpersonal: strained relationships, difficulty trusting, social withdrawal, conflict.

  • Occupational/academic: reduced concentration, absenteeism, lowered performance, difficulty managing responsibilities.

  • Physical health: chronic pain, sleep disruption, weakened immune function, increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic issues.

  • Emotional and mental health: increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, suicidal thoughts, persistent distress.

  • Developmental effects: in children, impaired emotional regulation, learning difficulties, attachment problems.

  • Functional impairment: reduced quality of life, difficulty with daily tasks, and disrupted routines.

    • Intrusive memories: flashbacks, distressing images, nightmares.

    • Avoidance: steering clear of reminders, places, people, or thoughts linked to the trauma.

    • Hyperarousal: jumpiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance.

    • Negative changes in thoughts and mood: persistent sadness, guilt, shame, loss of interest, memory or concentration problems.

    • Emotional dysregulation: intense or rapidly shifting emotions, difficulty calming down.

    • Physical symptoms: headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, changes in appetite.

    • Dissociation: feeling detached from self or reality, memory gaps.

    • Behavioural changes: withdrawal, increased substance use, risky behaviours.

  • Acute trauma: results from a single distressing event (e.g., serious accident, assault, natural disaster).

    Chronic trauma: repeated and prolonged events (e.g., ongoing abuse, domestic violence, long-term bullying).

    Developmental trauma: disruptions in early attachment and caregiving that affect emotional and brain development.

    Complex trauma: exposure to multiple or varied traumatic events, often interpersonal and occurring during development (e.g., childhood abuse, neglect).

    Secondary (vicarious) trauma: emotional impact of exposure to other people’s traumatic experiences (common in caregivers and first responders).

  • Trauma symptoms don’t always mean PTSD. Many people have trauma-related symptoms that don’t meet PTSD criteria. Diagnosis depends on symptom type, severity, duration, and impact on functioning and could instead be an acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, or a normal but distressing response. Even if it’s not PTSD, symptoms deserve attention. Even if it’s not PTSD, symptoms deserve attention.

Creating a path forward

Working Together

One Collective Therapy offers a safe, compassionate space to unpack what happened, reduce the intensity of symptoms, and rebuild a sense of safety and control.

We meet you where you are, move at your pace, and tailor treatment to your needs addressing your specific concerns, such as::

  • Processing and integrate traumatic memories safely

  • Reducing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and reactivity

  • Managing panic, dissociation, and sleeplessness

  • Improving relationships, boundaries, and emotional regulation

  • Regaining daily functioning, meaning, and a sense of self.

Healing looks different for everyone. Therapy is about finding tools and supports that fit your life so you can feel more present, grounded, and in control.