Turning Point Therapy Provides Trauma Counselling
Throughout Vancouver, Lower Mainland and BC
Facing the impact of trauma and the parts of us we had to hide away to cope with it, takes courage.
At Turning Point Therapy, this is where we start, with you, listening deeply, being curious to understand, and guiding a way through.
Our goal is to provide you with attention, compassion, and presence so that you can process traumatic experiences and restore your resilience.
What does Trauma Counselling Cover?
When you experience trauma, abuse, or neglect when you are young, the consequences run deep. You have fewer inner resources to deal with the impact, which can lead to unhealthy ways of dealing with the pain, such as addictions, self-harm, destructive relationships, and isolation.
Trauma that goes unresolved can diminish your ability to deal with further stressful, traumatic events. This can lead to developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. When we have unresovled trauma in our system we have a tendency to under-react to what is abnormal (rage, abuse, neglect) and over-react to what is normal (misunderstandings, being late, emotions, not being heard).
Most of you may understand trauma as events where your life is threatened. These might include;
- Assault/ Witnessing violence/death
- Car Accidents
- War
- Natural Disaster
- Surgery/birth trauma
- Sexual Assault/
- Child sexual abuse
- Child abuse
and neglect
These experiences can also be traumatic especially on top of unprocessed childhood trauma.
- End of relationship/friendship
- Bullying
- Victim of gossip
- Victim of discrimination
- Workplace stress, harassment, job loss
- Moving or significant change in circumstances
- Illness
- Living with ongoing criticism and contempt
"The roots of resilience are to be found in the sense of being understood by and existing in the mind and heart of a loving, attuned, and self-possessed other."
Diana Fosha
How Do I Know I Need Trauma Counselling?
The truth is most struggles in life have roots in some kind of trauma. Which isn't to say every hardship is trauma. From our point of view, trauma affects people's responses to the way they manage things. So if you find yourself repeatedly managing some parts of your life through strategies and ways that end up disconnecting you from yourself or other people, there is a good chance this is influenced by trauma. Because that is overall how trauma affects us.
This doesn't necessarily mean you need 'trauma counselling'. However, you can rest assured that our therapists can address underlying experiences that were traumatic if you find yourself coming up against that in the course of therapy.
It is best to think of it in layers. We start with the layer you are most concerned about. Even if you are aware of an event/s in your life that you think you need to address, trying to go there immediately is likely to find yourself bumping up against the layers of protection and avoidance that are common.
So, whether you are struggling with relationships, depression/anxiety, self-esteem, important decisions, or emotional overwhelm. The main considerations are going to be, do I need to work on myself, or on my relationship (couples counselling)? Starting here and then, who do I want to work with?
Here are a few things that we strive for in providing Trauma Counselling
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You decide what you want to share and when.
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We address material that is tolerable.
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You are not alone in your experience. We walk alongside you.
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We seek to be in collaboration with you. To invite you into the process as a fellow traveler.
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We work from many approaches to find what works for you.
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We see your difficulties and struggles as ways of managing the world, NOT that you are the problem.
