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Trauma Therapist

Trauma Treatment
trauma therapist edmonton
Psychological Symptoms

Trauma

“It’s not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside of you as a result of what happened to you.” 

-Dr. Gabor Maté

Trauma is damage to the psyche that is sustained after experiencing or witnessing an extremely distressing or frightening event. 

It can result in changes in coping, functioning, and wellbeing, and can leave you feeling hyper-alert and unable to relax. Many people with trauma have an inability to feel safe and secure, and a trauma focused therapist in Alberta is trained to help guide them through these challenges.

Trauma is an invisible condition that can impact all areas of your life. Family, friends and coworkers may notice that you are not as present as you used to be, and you may appear distant, disengaged, and easily frightened. 

Furthermore, there are many different types of trauma that an individual can experience, such as developmental trauma, vicarious trauma, and intergenerational trauma.

Common Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Unwanted and intrusive thoughts and memories of the event
  • Changes in mood and thinking
  • Internal reminders of the traumatic event
  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Increased anxiety and decreased mood
  • Avoidance of people, places, smells and events that may trigger unwanted memories, thoughts and feelings
  • Agitation, irritability and hypervigilance
trauma counselling edmonton
trauma counselling

Treatment

There are three evidence-based approaches that have shown to be effective in treating PTSD, which includes Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Mission Hill Psychology provides treatment for trauma and PTSD across Alberta using EMDR – is a brain and body-based treatment that integrates traumatic memories into a more complete (adaptive) neural network that results in less distress and improvement in functioning. 

These new networks are thought to facilitate insight, learning, growth, and elimination of the distress associated with memories of the traumatic event(s).

EMDR can be a stand-alone treatment, or it can be combined into a treatment plan.

faq

Trauma happens when something very disturbing in your life happens, which can change how you feel and think. It could be a big event, like an accident, or lots of smaller ones, like bullying. Trauma can make daily life feel overwhelming. 

At Mission Hill Psychology, I use evidence based strategies to help you recover from trauma, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Trauma can affect you in different ways:

  • You might get headaches or stomach aches, feel tired, or have trouble sleeping. Changes in eating habits are common, too.
  • You may feel sad, angry, or scared. Some days, you might feel numb or disconnected from everything around you.
  • Trouble concentrating or remembering things is common. Some people relive the upsetting event over and over.
  • You might avoid places or activities that remind you of the trauma. You might withdraw from friends and family or lose interest in things you used to enjoy.
  • More people are experiencing trauma due to various reasons:
  • Natural disasters, wars, and pandemics cause widespread trauma.
  • Money problems, job losses, and housing issues add stress and trauma.
  • Constant exposure to bad news through technology and media increases anxiety.
  • Accidents, illnesses, and losing loved ones also contribute to trauma.


At my therapy clinic, I
understand these challenges and provide comprehensive mental health care to help you recover.

There are many ways to treat trauma and feel better:

  • Talking to a trauma psychologist can help you understand your feelings and find ways to cope. Techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help change negative thoughts.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Sometimes, medication can reduce symptoms and make coping easier.
  • Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and enough sleep are essential for your well-being. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can calm your mind and reduce stress.

Mission Hill Can Help

Therapy Is Available Online In Edmonton, Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Fort Saskatchewan, Calgary, And Throughout Alberta.

Dr. Farrell, a trauma specialist, specializes in treating work-related stress,  burnout syndromeanxietydepression, trauma, and stress management. She follows best practice, evidence-based psychotherapy while incorporating a holistic approach that nurtures both mind and body. Her therapy is highly tailored, utilizing specialized techniques, skills, and tools carefully selected to meet your individual needs and support you in achieving the best possible outcomes. 

Take the first step toward getting the real help you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation to meet Dr. Farrell!