Trauma-Informed Couples Counselling
Rebuilding Connection with Safety and Understanding
Relationships can be deeply affected by trauma—whether it’s something one partner has experienced individually, or stress and events the couple has faced together. Trauma-informed couples counselling offers a safe, supportive space to heal individually and as a partnership, while strengthening trust, communication, and resilience.
What Makes Trauma-Informed Couples Counselling Different?
Traditional couples counselling often focuses on communication skills, conflict resolution, and shared goals. Trauma-informed couples counselling adds another layer: recognizing how trauma affects emotions, nervous-system responses, and the ways partners relate to one another.
Key differences include:
Safety for both partners – Sessions are structured to ensure emotional and physical safety.
Compassion and respect – Each partner’s perspective and lived experiences are honored without judgment.
Awareness of trauma’s impact – We explore how past experiences may shape current reactions, behaviors, and patterns.
Pacing and choice – Healing moves step by step, with both partners setting the pace and direction.
Focus on nervous-system regulation – Learning calming skills together reduces reactivity and fosters connection.
Context matters – Cultural background, identity, and systemic factors are acknowledged as part of the relationship’s story.
Who Is Trauma-Informed Couples Counselling For?
This type of counselling may be helpful if you and your partner are:
Struggling with trust, closeness, or intimacy after trauma
Dealing with the effects of abuse, assault, neglect, or betrayal
Managing stress from medical trauma, loss, or major life transitions
Facing challenges related to intergenerational or cultural trauma
Supporting a partner who has experienced trauma and unsure how to help
Caught in cycles of conflict, withdrawal, or disconnection that feel overwhelming
Even if trauma is not openly named, many couples find this approach helpful when conflict feels “bigger than the moment” or when one or both partners feel easily triggered.
Approaches We May Use
Depending on your relationship’s needs, therapy may include:
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Helping partners identify and express core needs and emotions in safe ways.
Trauma-informed communication skills: Building tools to listen, validate, and respond without escalating conflict.
Somatic and nervous-system regulation: Learning calming strategies together to de-escalate conflict and reconnect.
EMDR (for couples): Supporting one or both partners in processing trauma that may be affecting the relationship.
Attachment-focused approaches: Strengthening bonds by fostering safety, trust, and mutual support.
Mindfulness and self-compassion practices: Encouraging patience and gentleness toward self and partner.
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 both partners need to have experienced trauma?
No. Trauma-informed couples counselling can help whether one or both partners carry trauma, or if trauma is impacting the relationship indirectly.
Will we have to revisit painful memories?
Not necessarily. The focus is on building safety, connection, and tools for the relationship. Processing deeper trauma happens only with consent and readiness.
Is this only for couples in crisis?
Not at all. Many couples seek this support to deepen their bond, prevent patterns from becoming entrenched, or strengthen resilience after stressful experiences.
Ready To Take the Next Step?
Your relationship deserves care, safety, and connection. With the right support, couples can heal old wounds and create a more hopeful future together.
If you’d like to learn more about trauma-informed couples counselling, or explore whether it’s right for you and your partner, please reach out:
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.