Understanding Trauma Therapy Calgary
Trauma is the emotional and physical response to deeply distressing or overwhelming events that exceed a person’s ability to cope. These experiences may include abuse, neglect, violence, loss, accidents, or ongoing stress. Trauma can affect not only how we think and feel, but also how our body and nervous system respond to the world around us.
Many people who experience trauma may develop symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, or difficulty feeling safe and connected. These reactions can surface immediately or emerge years after the event. Trauma is not just “in the past”—for many, it can feel as though it’s still happening, especially when triggered by certain sounds, sights, or situations.
Trauma often becomes “stuck” in the nervous system, keeping the body in a heightened state of alert even when there is no current danger. This can lead to physical symptoms like muscle tension, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, or digestive issues, and emotional responses like feeling numb, disconnected, or easily overwhelmed.
Because trauma impacts both the body and the mind, effective healing often involves more than just talking about the event. Body-based approaches, mindfulness, breathwork, and other somatic practices are often integrated into therapy to help regulate the nervous system, increase body awareness, and gently release stored emotional pain.
Recovery from trauma is possible. With the right support and therapeutic tools, individuals can restore a sense of safety, reconnect with themselves, and build resilience for the future.
How I Can Help
As a therapist, I help guide clients through the process of healing from trauma by creating a safe, supportive space where they feel seen, heard, and in control. Together, we explore the impact of past experiences—gently and at a pace that feels right—while working to calm the nervous system and reconnect with the body. I use a combination of approaches tailored to each individual, whether that's talk therapy, somatic techniques, or trauma-focused methods like Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) or Internal Family Systems (IFS). My goal is to help clients release the emotional weight they’ve been carrying, rebuild a sense of safety and trust, and move forward with greater self-understanding and resilience.