Find Healing & Reclaim Your Life with Wellspring Counselling in BC

Trauma Counselling in Maple Ridge, BC

Trauma can create deep wounds that affect how we feel and live. It can come from significant life events, ongoing struggles, or smaller moments with a strong impact. Trauma often has lasting effects, making life seem complicated and overwhelming.

At Wellspring Counselling, we provide compassionate and professional trauma counseling in Maple Ridge. You can receive support in person or online. Our goal is to help you understand and cope with the effects of trauma. We will guide you on your healing journey, helping you regain strength and find hope.

Request a Free 10-Min Consultation Today!

Trauma Counselling in Maple Ridge

Trauma Counselling in Maple Ridge, BC

What is trauma?

Trauma is a personal reaction to experiences that feel too overwhelming or frightening. It can happen after a distressing event, like an accident or losing someone close, or from ongoing situations such as abuse or neglect. Trauma can shake a person’s sense of safety and stability. It often changes how they see themselves, others, and the world. Its effects can influence emotional, mental, and physical health.

People react to trauma in different ways. Even if two people go through the same event, their reactions can differ based on their past experiences, emotional strength, support systems, and current life situations. Some may feel strong emotions like fear or anxiety, while others might avoid certain places or situations. Trauma can also lead to physical symptoms like tiredness, pain, or trouble concentrating.

Trauma is a natural response to extreme stress, and it does not mean a person is weak. We can help more people seek support by reducing the stigma around trauma. With the right therapy, like EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or somatic techniques, people can heal. They can feel safe again and restore balance in their lives.

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma

People react to trauma in different ways, but some signs can show that someone is having a hard time dealing with it. These may include:

  • Frequent flashbacks, vivid dreams, or intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event.
  • Intense emotional reactions, such as sudden anxiety, fear, or anger.
  • Avoid specific locations, people, or activities linked to the traumatic experience.
  • Physical reactions, like a racing heart, sweating, or muscle tension.
  • Difficulty focusing or recalling details of the event.

Recognizing the signs of trauma is essential for understanding its effects on a person. These patterns help people find the support and resources they need to heal.

Trauma Counsellors | Wellspring Counselling in BC

Schedule Your Initial 10-Min Call with One of Our Counsellors in Maple Ridge Today

The many faces of Trauma

  • “Big T” Trauma: Major life events like serious accidents, emotional or physical abuse, or losing someone you care about can lead to conditions such as PTSD or complex trauma. These problematic experiences often cause strong emotional reactions. People may have unwanted memories, nightmares, or feelings of being helpless.
  • “Little t” Trauma: More minor yet significant traumatic experiences, like chronic neglect, bullying, constant criticism, or growing up in an unstable home, can have a profound impact on a person’s nervous system. Over time, these experiences can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulties in building trusting and secure relationships.
  • Core Shame & Guilt: Trauma can cause intense feelings of shame and guilt. These feelings make people think they are flawed or blame themselves for the bad things in their lives. As a result, it can hurt their self-esteem and make it hard to form healthy relationships and build self-confidence.

Why Online Trauma Counselling with EMDR Works?

  • Proven Effectiveness: EMDR therapy is a practical approach that helps people process and heal from traumatic experiences. It focuses on the emotional pain linked to painful memories. By addressing these emotions, EMDR promotes healing and emotional relief. This allows individuals to move forward with confidence and clarity.
  • Safe & Accessible: Start your healing journey from home with online EMDR therapy sessions. This option is flexible and perfect for those who find it hard to leave home due to trauma. It offers a safe and convenient way to begin therapy at your own pace.
  • Specialized Therapists: Our therapists are trained to help you recover from trauma using techniques like EMDR therapy. They offer compassionate support as you work through painful memories. This process will give you lasting emotional relief and guide your healing journey.

The benefits of Trauma Counselling

Trauma counseling helps people recover from the emotional effects of a traumatic event or ongoing difficulties. It promotes healing, supports emotional recovery, and builds resilience. Here’s how trauma counseling can help:

  • Healing from Distressing Memories: Trauma counseling offers a safe space for people to face and deal with painful memories. In this supportive environment, clients can lower the emotional impact of these experiences over time, which helps them cope better.
  • Restoring Emotional Well-Being: Trauma can disturb your emotional stability, leading to feelings of fear, anger, sadness, or anxiety. Counseling can help you recognize and understand these emotions. This support allows you to take control and find emotional balance, which can improve your mental health.
  • Building Effective Coping Skills: Trauma therapists help clients learn ways to manage stress and strong emotions. These practical tools assist with daily coping and build emotional strength over time.
  • Improving Relationships: Trauma can harm personal relationships, leading to distance or conflict. Counseling helps improve these relationships by rebuilding trust, enhancing communication, and fostering understanding between people.
  • Reducing PTSD and Anxiety Symptoms: Therapies like EMDR and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. These treatments can improve your well-being and bring emotional peace.
  • Promoting Self-Discovery and Growth: Through counseling, people learn how trauma affects their lives. This understanding can help them grow personally, increase their self-esteem, and clarify their direction in life.

Getting trauma counseling is an essential step toward healing. It helps people feel safe again, build confidence, and look forward to a healthier and more hopeful future.

How can Wellspring Counselling help with Trauma?

Trauma can come from many experiences, like physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, losing a loved one, facing natural disasters, or being a victim of a crime. No matter what causes your pain, our caring therapists are here to help you understand your emotions and support your healing process.

Recovering from trauma can feel challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our skilled team offers a safe and friendly space where you can start to heal at your own pace. We use proven methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, body-focused techniques, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you deal with trauma and its effects.

We want to help you feel better by giving you practical coping methods, encouraging healthy relationships, and helping you build resilience and purpose. Trauma does not have to control your life or define who you are. Recovery is possible, and we will support you every step of the way.

Our Approach: Compassionate, Effective, Personalized

  • Understanding Your Story: We begin by listening deeply to your experiences, exploring how trauma has impacted your thoughts, emotions, and sense of self.
  • EMDR for Deep Healing: EMDR therapy helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories, lessening their power and allowing you to view the past from a healthier perspective.
  • Beyond EMDR: We tailor therapy to you, incorporating Emotion-Focused Therapy, CBT, and supportive techniques to address shame, guilt, and the broader impacts of trauma.
  • Rebuilding Resilience: Learn tools to manage triggers, regulate emotions, and build a stronger sense of safety and self-worth in the present.

A Special Message from the Director

Clients Say

Testimonials

Mr. Gordon is someone that captures the spirit and the heart of active engagement. He is empathic, genuine and incorporates action and creative problem solving into his practice. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Gordon as an effective career and personal counsellor.

NA

I had no experience with therapy and was unsure of the whole process. Alistair made everything very accessible and unintimidating. It was clear that he puts quite a lot of effort and preparation into every session. I'm so glad that I decided to do this, and could not have asked for a better person to help me with this. I would highly recommend Alistair to anyone who has ever thought that they might benefit from talking to a professional.

EH

I am a young professional which for a long time now, has struggled with anxiety, insecurity, and difficulty in finding effective life coping mechanisms. Alistair was referred to me by a friend and upon the first meeting, I found Alistair to be empathetic, compassionate and intuitive. I have now been seeing Alistair regularly for 6 months and through that time my anxiety has significantly decreased, I have found effective methods of dealing with stress, found support dealing with identity issues, as well as finding inner strength to get through a tough break up. Alistair again and again, went the extra mile -thank you Alistair for your candor, openness and a safe space to get support. Thank you for playing such a large role in keeping me healthy and positive.

KL

I have been working with Alistair Gordon as my counsellor at Wellspring for almost 6 months now and cannot begin to tell you how far I have come with his help. I have tried working with other counsellors and therapists in the past but never really found one that clicked for me. I always felt judged, unsupported, and rushed at those appointments until I booked my first appointment with Wellspring and with Allistair. To anyone on the fence about booking an appointment or engaging in therapy: if you are willing to do the work, you couldn't ask for a better partner in your healing journey.

ER

When I decided to find a counsellor, I tried to find someone that I could relate to, someone that is like-minded and down-to-earth and with Alistair I really found the right person. He uses an integrative approach, showed me techniques to relax and get aware of my emotions, and helped me see things in a new perspective. Of course this is an ongoing process but I enjoy meeting and working with Alistair every time. The downtown office is a very neutral place - not too intimate, not too clinical - which is helpful to overcome apprehension, especially the first couple of times. What I find remarkable is that Alistair almost always knows what I'm trying to say, even if I can't put it into words. Working with Alistair helped me a lot and it was the right decision to put my trust in him.

MA

Alistair really cares about you the person, and I could really feel him trying to tackle my challenges. He was also very available for off-session contact via text and email. I think he did a great job with confronting me where I needed it. Alistair always could remember the important peoples' names in my personal life, which really helped with talking about my problems. I really felt like I was talking to a friend.

MS

Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.

JG

I enjoy how sessions are collaborative where I can take the lead for the direction of what we talk about, and at the same time I know that Alistair will offer helpful guidance and insight along the way. I also like how we focus on the future instead of just the past. I find this to be empowering and helpful to move forward in life.

RM

Alistair is an awesome counsellor. He has been so helpful in working with me through some tough times in my life. He's always been available to chat with me in-between sessions. I'd recommend Alistair to anyone - he's really the ideal counsellor in my view.

JG

I have always felt very comfortable with Alistair. He has a calming presence, and you can tell he cares about being the best counsellor for you. He helps you with all aspects of your concern, and is always able to help me find a solution to the problem I'm having.

SD

Alistair is an exceptionally talented counsellor and has always demonstrated strong ethics, great compassion, wisdom and respect for others. I highly recommend him as a counselling practitioner.

MB

Affiliations

Our Memberships

RCC Logo | Wellspring Counselling Inc.
A designation of BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Emdria Logo | Wellspring Counselling Inc.

Ready to Prioritize Your Wellbeing? Book Your First Session at Wellspring Counselling in Maple Ridge Today!

Trauma Counselling in Maple Ridge, BC

Take the First Step Towards Healing

Rediscover Peace & Wholeness. Contact Wellspring Counselling Today!

Burnaby Counselling Services | Wellspring Counselling Inc.