Therapy for Trauma in Ontario
Reviewed by Dr. Belal Zia, C.Psych., Registered Psychologist
Traumatic experiences can reshape how you see yourself, others, and the world around you, often in ways that challenge how you used to see things.
At Discourse Psychology Centre, our registered psychologists provide evidence-based therapy for trauma to adults and adolescents across Ontario through secure virtual sessions. We aim to help clients process difficult experiences, restore a sense of safety, and rebuild their lives.
Understanding Trauma
The term trauma can have multiple meanings. Generally speaking, traumatic experiences can be a single incident, repeated incidents, or prolonged exposure over time (sometimes years for people like paramedics, police officers, firefighters and other first responders). These experiences often have a strong emotional and physiological (i.e., body reaction) response. Additionally, traumatic experiences can leave a lasting imprint on how we think, feel, and relate to others.
Common symptoms following trauma exposure include intrusive memories or flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders, difficulty trusting others, difficulties with eating and sleeping, irritability, and a persistent sense of danger even in safe situations.
Traumatic experiences can come from many sources, including childhood adversity, physical or sexual abuse, accidents, medical experiences, intimate partner violence, sudden injury or loss, or occupational exposure (e.g., first responders and healthcare workers).
Whatever its origin the distress from traumatic experiences is treatable.
How We Treat Trauma
At Discourse Psychology Centre, our psychologists are highly trained and have significant experience treating trauma. Individual therapy is trauma-informed, evidence-based, collaborative and paced carefully to ensure that you feel safe throughout the process.
Treatment uses approaches with the strongest research base for trauma, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and DBT-informed approaches for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Our approaches are infused with Humanistic therapy principles to ensure empathic understanding and gentle client-led practice where appropriate.
When necessary, we also use Psychodynamic Therapy to explore the deeper relational impacts of traumatic experiences. All treatment is tailored to the individual, beginning where the client is and moving at a pace that feels manageable.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a clinical diagnosis that can develop following exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms include intrusive re-experiencing of the trauma, persistent avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and heightened arousal and reactivity. Not all trauma exposure results in symptoms that meet criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, which can feel confusing at times. Psychologists at Discourse Psychology Centre are licensed to assess, diagnose and treat PTSD and other emotional responses to trauma exposure.
PTSD responds well to treatment, particularly to CPT and Prolonged Exposure approaches, both of which are offered by psychologists at Discourse Psychology Centre.
Many clients experience significant symptom reduction within a focused course of treatment.
First Responders and Occupational Trauma
Police officers, paramedics, firefighters, nurses, physicians and other frontline workers face repeated exposure to traumatic events as part of their work. Over time this can lead to cumulative stress, operational stress injuries, moral injury, and PTSD. At Discourse Psychology Centre we have experience working with first responders and understand the unique culture and challenges of these professions.
Virtual Trauma Therapy Across Ontario
At Discourse Psychology Centre, we offer virtual therapy for trauma. Virtual treatments may be more accessible to clients across Ontario, including Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, and the Greater Toronto Area, especially when exposure to trauma has resulted in avoidance symptoms.
Virtual trauma therapy uses the same evidence-based and effective principles as in-person therapy. For many clients, the comfort and privacy of their own home makes the therapeutic process feel safer .
Getting Started
Reaching out for trauma therapy can be really challenging.
We want to make the process straightforward and comfortable.
Contact us to schedule a brief consultation. We’ll match you with the right clinician and answer any questions about fit, availability, and coverage.
All inquiries are confidential and returned promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy for Trauma
What kinds of trauma do you treat?
We work with a range of trauma presentations. Our psychologists have experience treating single-incident trauma, complex and childhood trauma, abuse, medical trauma, and prolonged exposure to trauma, including from occupational settings affecting first responders and healthcare workers. We can treat trauma symptoms whether or not they meet full criteria for PTSD.
What therapy approaches do you use for trauma?
Treatment is grounded in the approaches with the strongest evidence for trauma, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). We also offer alongside DBT-informed skills training for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. It's delivered as individual therapy, paced carefully so you feel safe throughout.
Can you diagnose PTSD?
Yes. Our registered psychologists are qualified to assess and diagnose PTSD when appropriate. Both CPT and Prolonged Exposure based treatmetns are offered at Discourse.
Is virtual trauma therapy effective?
Yes. Trauma therapy delivered virtually has strong research support, and many clients find the privacy of their own space makes difficult work feel safer.
Does insurance cover trauma therapy in Ontario?
Sessions with a registered psychologist are often covered under extended health benefits, with receipts provided for reimbursement. See our fees and insurance page for details.
How do I get started?
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll answer your questions and match you with the right clinician. Get in touch to begin.