1. What kind of therapy is best for trauma?

Although the best therapy depends on your individual circumstances, symptoms, and preferences, there are several highly regarded and effective approaches that are well-researched and evidence-based. 

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) are commonly used at Centre Wellness to address a wide range of experiences including childhood abuse, interpersonal trauma, work-related trauma, and accidents. Additional interventions informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma, Psychodynamic psychotherapies, and Somatic therapies are often integrated along with psychoeducation to create a comprehensive approach. The type modality selected for trauma therapy may also consider additional factors, such as whether your experience is single-event vs cumulative trauma.


2. Does trauma therapy really work?

Yes! Trauma therapy is highly effective and our therapists at Centre Wellness have decades of experience treating individuals who have experienced trauma and PTSD. It is common for clients to feel doubtful early in recovery, especially because symptoms can be intense and it feels like it may never end. However, with commitment and regular attendance, we repeatedly witness remarkable resolution, healing, and growth in trauma therapy. There is a very robust body of research that demonstrates the effectiveness of the therapeutic modalities our therapists at Centre Wellness are trained in and utilize on a daily basis, such as EMDR, CPT, PE and IFS.

3. How do people heal from C-PTSD (Complex trauma)?

Trauma recovery is a process and does not always follow a linear path. It involves periods of growth, progress, and sometimes setbacks. However, healing is possible. At Centre Wellness, we tend to take a phase-based approach to trauma therapy. The first phase involves establishing a sense of safety and stability. This will include learning how to regulate your nervous system through regular routines and somatic strategies. You will also learn a great deal about trauma; how it is activated, its impact, and how to manage triggers. The second phase involves trauma processing. This phase is focused on remembering and mourning what happened. Its goal is to integrate the traumatic experience into the broader story of your life, from a new and healthier perspective. In this phase you begin to view the trauma as something that happened rather than something that defines you. The last phase, reconnection and reintegration, we focus on expansion of activities, social connection, and interests. This is the “living again” phase and shifts your orientation toward the future rather than the past.

4. How do I know if I have PTSD?

PTSD cannot be self-diagnosed. A diagnosis of PTSD can only be confirmed by a professional who is licensed to communicate a diagnosis, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. A psychological assessment can help differentiate symptoms of PTSD that sometimes overlap with other disorders such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Some indications you may be suffering from PTSD include: persistent flashbacks or nightmares of the trauma, hypervigilance, easily startled, intrusive thoughts or memories about the traumatic event, difficulty regulating anger, irritability, or sadness, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and feeling detached or disconnected with others. You may notice a desire to avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of the experience and you may increasingly engage in unhealthy coping behaviours such as gambling, substance use, or internet use. At Centre Wellness, our psychologists and psychotherapists can help address all of these symptoms through a focused and highly individualized treatment plan that involves specific trauma therapy such as EMDR, CPT, and PE.

5. How long does it take to recover from trauma?

There are so many factors that can affect how long trauma recovery takes, and the process is highly individual. However, with frequent (weekly or biweekly) sessions, consistency, and full commitment to the process, we often see significant improvement within 6 months. Full resolution can vary from client to client, however, it is not uncommon to see resolution of symptoms, prolonged stability, and even positive growth in multiple life domains within a year of treatment. 

Our clinicians at Centre Wellness are highly trained and have extensive experience in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Though the pace of recovery varies from individual to individual, it is always our goal to help you experience some initial relief in the first few sessions. That might mean feeling more optimistic or hopeful about recovery, feeling seen and heard, and feeling more confident in having a direction and someone to help guide you through.