Trauma-Informed Counselling
Healing with Safety, Compassion, and Respect
Trauma can affect every part of life—thoughts, emotions, body, and relationships. Trauma-informed counselling is an approach that prioritizes safety, choice, and collaboration so you can begin healing at your own pace.
What Makes Trauma-Informed Counselling Different?
While regular counselling often focuses on talking through challenges and developing coping strategies, trauma-informed counselling goes a step further by recognizing how past experiences may continue to impact your mind and body today.
Key differences include:
Safety first – We move at your pace, with clear boundaries so you remain in control.
Compassion and respect – Your story is always met with warmth, cultural humility, and zero judgment.
Whole-person care – We support mind, body, and nervous-system wellbeing, not just symptoms.
Choice and collaboration – Therapy is a partnership. You choose your goals, methods, and pacing.
Focus on regulation – We use grounding and somatic skills to help your body feel safer now.
Consent at every step – You can pause or shift direction at any time. Nothing happens without your agreement.
Context matters – We consider culture, identity, and systemic factors that shape your experiences.
Who Is Trauma-Informed Counselling For?
This type of counselling may be helpful if you have experienced:
Abuse, assault, or neglect
Accidents, medical trauma, or sudden loss
Stress and trauma as a first responder, healthcare worker, or frontline worker
Immigration, displacement, intergenerational, or racial trauma
Chronic stress, burnout, or compassion fatigue
Feeling stuck, numb, disconnected, or “on edge” without knowing why
You don’t need to have all the details of your trauma, or even a label for what you’ve gone through. If you’re struggling and want a safe, supportive space, trauma-informed counselling may help.
Approaches We May Use
Depending on your needs and preferences, therapy may include:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing): Helps the brain reprocess stuck memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Somatic and nervous-system skills: Gentle grounding, breathwork, and body-based awareness to restore a sense of safety.
CBT & DBT-informed tools: Practical strategies for managing thoughts, emotions, and relationships through a trauma-aware lens.
Parts-work (IFS-informed): Understanding and supporting different “parts” of yourself with compassion.
Mindfulness and self-compassion: Building resilience, reducing shame, and fostering everyday healing.
Ask your counsellor for more information about any of these approaches. Or check our Resources Page for links to informational websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell my whole story?
No. Healing doesn’t require retelling every detail. Many people find relief through present-moment skills or EMDR without sharing their entire history.
How long will it take?
Everyone’s healing journey is unique. Some people come for short-term support, while others value longer-term work. We’ll collaborate to find the right pace and goals for you.
Is trauma-informed counselling only for people with big, obvious traumas?
Not at all. Trauma can be a single event, many smaller experiences over time, or ongoing stress that overwhelms your sense of safety. If you’re struggling, your experience is valid and worth care.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’d like to learn more about trauma-informed individual counselling, or explore whether it’s right for you, you can reach us at:
Phone: (778)715-0112
Email: info@willowbarkwellness.com
Or book a complimentary 15 minute consultation with any of our counsellors to see if they’re the right fit for you.