KM Counselling’s registered psychologists are located in NW Calgary. We offer trauma treatment for individuals, couples, and families. You can choose from a variety of appointment times, including daytime, evening, and weekend hours, as well as in-person and online services.
Trauma therapy plans that are made just for you
Our psychologists provide trauma therapy that is caring and tailored to each person. We know that trauma can have a long-lasting effect on your mental, emotional, and physical health, and we’re here to help you heal. We always customize our evidence-based methods to fit your specific needs and experiences.
KM Counseling: Trauma Therapist Calgary NW
We don’t think that one model works for everyone. Our psychologists will help you understand how trauma has affected your life and find personalized, effective ways to heal. Our goal is to make a safe, non-judgmental space for you to heal, whether your trauma comes from one event or from a series of events.
Kristin Matthews is a psychologist who has a lot of expertise and advanced training in treating trauma with Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and other trauma-informed methods.
KM Counselling – Therapy for Trauma – Calgary NW
Because starting therapy for trauma can be scary, it is important to understand that at KM Counselling, you work at your pace. The purpose of trauma therapy is not to “re-live” your trauma or feel “re-traumatized”. The purpose of trauma therapy is to be able to safely process all the thoughts, feelings, and sensations of trauma in a controlled and tolerable way so that it helps to lessen and hopefully eliminate your symptoms.
Trauma therapy at Calgary’s KM Counselling
You will find our approach to trauma therapy is collaborative and paced according to your comfort level. Our registered psychologists use evidence-based approaches such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), somatic techniques, and other trauma-informed therapies, always working with you to ensure the process feels manageable.
Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a single incident or complex trauma built up over time, our psychologists have a successful track record of helping treat a variety of types of trauma. Some of the types of trauma that we have worked with include childhood trauma, acute trauma from an accident or injury, and chronic trauma caused by repeated exposure to abuse.
If you’re unsure whether what you’ve experienced “counts” as trauma, know that your experiences are valid. You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out, our team is here to help you explore what healing can look like for you.
KM Counselling
Registered Psychologists
Trauma Therapy - Calgary NW
8 Varsity Estates Circle NW
587-324-2398
Let's Connect
Calgary Trauma Therapy
Free 15-min phone consultations
What is Trauma?
Trauma can be a very confusing and frightening thing that is often misunderstood. Trauma, by definition, is a lasting emotional response that can result from living through a distressing event or events. Traumatic events are difficult to define because different events may impact people differently than others.
Traumatic events can be things like
- A recent, single event such as a car accident or an assault.
- A single event that occurred in the past, such as the death of a loved one or a bullying event as a child.
- A long-term chronic experience such as childhood neglect or abuse.
Experiencing a traumatic event may cause mental and physical health symptoms and can lead to a mental health disorder such as Acute Stress Disorder or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Common symptoms of trauma include:
- Flashbacks and/or nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
- Severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts or memories about the event
- Feelings of emotional distress, helplessness, hopelessness, and guilt
- Avoiding thinking about the event and/or avoiding places and people that remind you of the event
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling “fuzzy” or “brain fog”
- Feeling on “high alert” or hypervigilant
What to Do if You Have Symptoms of Trauma
Living with symptoms of trauma can be debilitating, and treatment can differ depending on the type of trauma diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional with training in evidence-based treatment.
Some common evidence-based counselling approaches to treating trauma include Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). At KM Counselling you will work with a trauma-informed therapist who is experienced in treating trauma and trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE).
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma and Trauma Treatment
Is trauma treatment effective?
Yes. Symptoms of trauma can be effectively treated and are often treated with psychological counselling with the possible addition of medications. Most people that receive treatment for trauma see a reduction or an elimination of their symptoms. The effectiveness of counselling is always dependent on several factors, including the severity of symptoms and possible co-existing conditions.
How long does trauma treatment take?
Treatment length will vary depending on the complexity of symptoms; however, an average treatment length for trauma is in the range of 8 – 20+ appointments. Most people can start to see some improvement within the first several sessions.
Many issues that people seek therapy for are not easy to talk about. That is why KM Counselling strives to create a safe and empathic space where you can talk about the hard things with a registered psychologist who will tailor a counselling approach specific to your unique needs.
No matter what issues you are seeking support to address, KM Counselling is here to help explore the issues most important to you. Don’t wait to experience meaningful, lasting change.
Let’s connect today.
KM Counselling
Registered Psychologists
Trauma Therapy - Calgary NW
8 Varsity Estates Circle NW
587-324-2398
Let's Connect
Calgary Trauma Therapy
Free 15-min phone consultations
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