
Therapy for Trauma & PTSD
Trauma hurts. Let us help you heal.
Have you experienced a distressing or traumatic event that feels impossible to move past? Do intrusive thoughts take over, leaving you feeling stuck? Maybe you’ve noticed physical symptoms like sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat, or a knot in your stomach. Or perhaps you’ve started to uncover deeper trauma through personal work and need guidance to process it fully.
Book a free consultation for therapy focused on trauma and PTSD.
What is a Trauma Response?
When we experience events that are too painful to process in the moment, our brain can store those memories in a way that feels unresolved. Triggers can bring back those thoughts and feelings as if the event were happening all over again. Trauma responses may include painful memories, anxiety, or feelings of guilt, shame, or fear that make it difficult to trust others or feel safe. These responses can be constant or come in waves, but no one should feel trapped in a state of unresolved trauma.

Therapy to Support Trauma
At Bowmanville Psychotherapy, we’re equipped to help you navigate trauma and PTSD using evidence-based approaches, including:
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This method helps your brain process distressing memories and reduce their emotional charge, allowing you to move forward without being controlled by triggers.
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Safe Exploration: Some clients find that simply discussing their trauma in a safe, supportive environment can bring relief.
Importantly, healing from trauma doesn’t always require reliving or retelling the story in detail. We prioritize ensuring you have the coping tools and emotional resilience to explore your trauma safely and effectively.
Symptoms of Trauma & PTSD
Trauma affects everyone differently, but here are common symptoms you might experience:
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Shock, denial, or disbelief
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Confusion or trouble concentrating
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Anger, irritability, or mood swings
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Anxiety and fear
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Guilt, shame, or self-blame
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Social withdrawal or isolation
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Sadness or hopelessness
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Emotional numbness or disconnection
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Insomnia or nightmares
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Fatigue
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Hypervigilance or being easily startled
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Difficulty focusing
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Physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, aches, or a racing heartbeat
Not sure if your struggles fit this list? Book a free consultation to discuss your experiences and explore how we can help.


What Can Cause Trauma & PTSD?
Trauma can stem from major events like:
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War or natural disasters
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Serious accidents
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Physical or sexual abuse
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Verbal or emotional abuse
However, trauma isn’t limited to these experiences. Other life events, such as losing a loved one, bullying, or harassment, can also lead to distress. Trauma can be understood as anything that overwhelms the brain’s ability to cope. You may not even realize you’ve experienced trauma until it begins affecting you in unexpected ways.
How Trauma Affects the Brain
One way to understand trauma is by looking at the relationship between our "human brain" (responsible for logic, reasoning, and emotional regulation) and our "animal brain" (responsible for instincts like fight or flight).
When we encounter trauma, our human brain may "shut down," allowing the animal brain to take over to keep us safe. This dissociation can cause:
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Emotional dysregulation
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Hypervigilance or constant alertness
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Difficulty understanding or processing emotions
Over time, therapy can help bring the human brain back online, allowing you to regain emotional regulation and retrain your brain to feel less threatened by triggers.
How We Help You Heal
Our approach to trauma therapy focuses on:
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Establishing Safety: We ensure you have coping strategies to stay grounded during sessions.
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Tailored Approaches: Whether through EMDR, Brainspotting, or talk therapy, we find what works best for you.
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Rebuilding Confidence: You’ll learn to trust your brain and body again, reducing the intensity of past triggers.
With time, therapy can help you feel more in control, allowing you to move forward without the weight of trauma.
Book a free consultation today to begin your journey to healing.