Trauma-Informed Therapy
in Ontario
Different Types of Trauma
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Acute Trauma – A single distressing event, such as an accident, disaster, assault, or medical emergency.
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Chronic Trauma – Repeated exposure to distressing events, including abuse, violence, war, or systemic oppression.
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Complex Trauma – Interpersonal trauma over time, often in childhood, disrupting identity, emotional regulation, and relationships.
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Developmental Trauma – Early trauma from disrupted attachment, neglect, or chronic stress, impacting emotional and neurological development.
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Secondary/Vicarious Trauma – The toll of witnessing or absorbing others’ trauma, common in caregivers, therapists, and first responders.
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Systemic & Institutional Trauma – Harm caused by oppression, racism, medical trauma, or unsafe systems, leading to ongoing distress.

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma manifests differently for everyone. Common signs include:
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Physical: Chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, heightened startle response.
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Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, intrusive thoughts, confusion, or disorientation.
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Emotional: Anxiety, depression, numbness, mood swings, persistent fear, guilt, shame, or reliance on coping mechanisms.
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Relational: Difficulty trusting, withdrawing from others, struggles with intimacy, or avoiding relationships.
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Spiritual: Loss of meaning, disconnection from self, others, or a higher power.
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Sexual: Confusion around boundaries, avoidance of or difficulty with intimacy, or hypersexuality.
These symptoms can be subtle or overwhelming, temporary or lasting.
The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy
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Your trauma response is wise and adaptive – What once helped you survive may no longer serve you in the same way, but that doesn’t mean you are broken. Therapy offers space to honor these responses, explore safety as it exists now, and rebuild trust in yourself.
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Trauma affects both mind and body – Therapy integrates somatic work to help you tune into physical sensations, regulate your nervous system, and create a foundation for deeper healing.
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Processing trauma happens when there is enough stability – Once enough safety is established, we can begin working with trauma in a way that fosters unblocking, integration, and relief rather than retraumatization.

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Expand Capacity & Listen to Your Body – Trauma lives in both the nervous system and emotional experience. Learning to recognize bodily sensations, emotions, and triggers helps you hold a wider range of experiences while staying connected to yourself and others.
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Heal in Relationship – Explore how trauma has shaped your connections—starting with yourself. As safety grows, so does space for pleasure, play, and meaningful relationships.
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Reclaim Meaning & Possibility – Clarify what matters to you and begin shaping a life that aligns with your evolving sense of self.
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