Trauma & PTSD Counselling and Treatment in North Vancouver, BC and West Vancouver, BC

Do Feelings of Trauma and PTSD have you Overwhelmed by the Past?

Trauma and PTSD can have a profound impact on your life, causing persistent emotional and physical symptoms. If you're struggling to cope with the effects of past trauma, you're not alone.

Understanding the Science of Trauma and PTSD

Trauma can disrupt your brain's ability to process and regulate emotions, leading to a range of symptoms. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors.

What do Trauma and PTSD feel like for you?

  • Flashbacks:

"I keep reliving the traumatic event, as if it's happening again."

  • Nightmares:

"I have terrifying dreams about the trauma."

  • Hypervigilance:

"I'm constantly on edge, always scanning my surroundings for danger."

  • Avoidance:

"I avoid people, places, or activities that remind me of the trauma."

  • Emotional numbness:

"I feel disconnected from my emotions and others."

  • Difficulty concentrating:

"It's hard to focus on tasks, my mind wanders."

  • Irritability:

"I'm easily angered or frustrated."

  • Sleep disturbances:

"I have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep."

Many clients pay little or nothing out of pocket — we direct bill Pacific Blue Cross, SunLife, Telus Health / Canada Life, GreenShield, and more. See all insurance & funding options → Direct billing available

Hope and Healing - Treating Trauma and PTSD

Our team in North Vancouver and West Vancouver specialises in trauma-informed care — building safety first, then processing at a pace that works for your nervous system. We use evidence-based approaches including EMDR Therapy (our clinic director Maryam Mills holds the highest EMDR credential — EMDRIA Consultant and is a certified trainer of EMDR practitioners), CBT, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, IFS, and Polyvagal-informed approaches. Sensorimotor, Play and Sand Therapy is also available for clients — including children — who benefit from body-based or non-verbal approaches. Neurofeedback can support nervous system regulation as an adjunct to counselling.

Ready to take the first step towards healing? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Need help finding the right counsellor for you? Get matched to one of our qualified Registered Clinical Counsellors

Work with our trauma counsellors

Our team includes counsellors with deep specialisation in trauma and PTSD — several trained in EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, IFS, and Polyvagal approaches. Sessions in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and by secure video.

Maryam Mills

Maryam Mills

MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, BCN, EMDRIA-Consultant — Clinic Director

“My aim is to guide clients toward realizing their highest potential — drawing on EMDR, neurofeedback, and a deeply holistic understanding of what shapes each person's experience.”

EMDR Neurofeedback Trauma Couples Hypnotherapy Farsi Full profile →
Teresa Berkholtz

Teresa Berkholtz

MA, RCC

“I believe every individual has the capacity to grow through their struggles and emerge with clarity, strength, and purpose — I use EMDR and parts work to help clients find what keeps them stuck.”

EMDR IFS / Parts work Somatic Gottman Full profile →
Alireza Badri

Alireza Badri

MA, RCC

“I bring a calm, thoughtful presence — helping clients build self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect with their sense of strength using EMDR, DBT, and ACT.”

EMDR DBT ACT Gottman Farsi Full profile →
Sogol Shams

Sogol Shams

PhD, MACP, RCC

“I'm dedicated to creating a culturally sensitive, supportive environment — drawing on CBT, EMDR, and play therapy to empower clients of all ages to build resilience and thrive.”

EMDR CBT Play therapy IFS Farsi Full profile →
Jackie McGregor

Jackie McGregor

MACP, RCC

“True healing involves attending to the whole person — I integrate IFS, somatic, and Gottman approaches to help clients achieve deeper self-discovery and lasting change.”

IFS / Parts work Somatic CBT Gottman Full profile →
Stephanie Stanton

Stephanie Stanton

MACP, RCC, RRT

“My background as a respiratory therapist shaped my understanding of how stress and anxiety live in the body — I work alongside clients to explore the patterns that may no longer be serving them.”

EMDR IFS Somatic Gottman Full profile →
Diba Ferdowsi

Diba Ferdowsi

Counselling Intern — available through our low-cost counselling program

“I offer a warm, non-judgmental space for clients navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions — supervised by our senior clinical team.”

CBT DBT Mindfulness Farsi Low-cost program only Full profile →

Ready to get started? Not sure who to book with — we'll match you with the right counsellor.

Book a free 15 min. consultation

Trauma & PTSD — Frequently Asked Questions

No. Trauma is not defined by the size of the event but by the impact it has on your nervous system. A serious accident, childhood neglect, a difficult relationship, a medical experience, or a prolonged period of stress can all leave lasting trauma responses. PTSD is a specific clinical presentation involving intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened reactivity — but many people carry significant trauma without meeting the full PTSD criteria. Both are treatable.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) has the strongest research base for trauma and PTSD and is available from six of our counsellors, including our clinic director Maryam Mills who holds the highest EMDR credential — EMDRIA Consultant. We also use Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, IFS (Internal Family Systems), Polyvagal-informed approaches, and somatic therapy. The right approach depends on your history and nervous system — your counsellor will discuss this with you.
Safety is the foundation of all trauma work. A skilled trauma counsellor will never push you to revisit experiences before you're ready, and will build your capacity to tolerate difficult material gradually. EMDR in particular is designed to process traumatic memories without requiring detailed verbal retelling. You remain in control throughout and can set the pace of the work.
This depends significantly on the nature of the trauma. A single-incident trauma — an accident, a medical procedure, a specific event — can often be processed in 6 to 12 EMDR sessions. Complex or developmental trauma (chronic childhood experiences, long-term abuse or neglect) typically takes longer and benefits from a phased approach that builds stability before processing. Your counsellor will give you a realistic picture after an initial assessment.

Community and Industry Resources

  • Anxiety Canada: A national charity dedicated to providing information and support for individuals with anxiety disorders.
  • CMHA North and West Vancouver: Local mental health organization offering a range of services, including counselling and support groups.
  • HealthLink BC: A provincial health information service providing reliable health advice and information.
  • Vancouver Coastal Health: The regional health authority responsible for providing health services in Vancouver and surrounding areas.