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PTSD & Trauma Treatment

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PTSD and Trauma Therapy in Toronto, ON

Your Path to Healing and Recovery from Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Experiencing a traumatic event can stir up a whirlwind of emotions, leaving you grappling with feelings like:

  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Dissociation

It’s important to understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all response to trauma. The way you react can have a profound impact on various aspects of your life, including your home life, work, relationships, and overall well-being.

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Trauma exists on a broad spectrum

  • It can stem from personal experiences or be a result of indirect exposure.
  • It ranges from large-scale, dramatic incidents to hidden and unacknowledged occurrences.
  • Trauma can be recent or date back to a distant past.

    The good news is that healing is possible, and you possess the innate capacity for resilience, growth, and recovery.

At Spiler Psychotherapy, we recognize that, in addition to individuals in the general population, those who are at highest risk of experiencing trauma include:

  • Police Officers
  • Military
  • Firemen
  • Critical Incident First Responders
  • Emergency medical service workers
  • Hospital and clinic staff (nurses, doctors, medical aids)

They are particularly vulnerable to trauma and require specialized attention and support, as they are, in essence, ‘trauma responders’ themselves.

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When is Trauma-informed treatment and EMDR a useful option?

EMDR Therapy is a psychotherapy approach based on standard procedures and protocols.  This approach enables our mental health therapists to incorporate EMDR Therapy into their case conceptualizations and treatment plans while working with your issues related to trauma and stressor related conditions.  We use the three-prong protocol (past memories, present triggers, and future templates) and the 11-step procedure to create an effective outcome.

Our Mental Health Treatment Approach

The rigorous standards of clinical practice at Spiler Psychotherapy, aimed at the highest level of competence and integrity requires:

  • A trauma-informed clinical orientation
  • EMDR Certification
  • Staying current with the latest clinical and research advancements in Trauma and EMDR
  • Maintaining professional accountability through ongoing supervision and affiliation with regulated-approved organizations

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Definition: PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder and is characterized by a range of symptoms that persist for an extended period after the traumatic event has occurred.

  1. Causes: PTSD can result from a wide range of traumatic experiences, such as military combat, assault, natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence. The severity and duration of the trauma, as well as an individual’s personal resilience and coping mechanisms, can influence the likelihood of developing PTSD.
  2. Symptoms: The symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into four main categories:
    • Re-experiencing: This includes flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and intense emotional distress when reminded of the traumatic event.
    • Avoidance and Numbing: Individuals with PTSD may avoid situations, people, or places that remind them of the trauma. They may also experience emotional numbness, detachment, and a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
    • Hyperarousal: This category involves symptoms like heightened anxiety, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and being easily startled.
    • Negative Changes in Thoughts and Mood: PTSD often leads to negative changes in an individual’s beliefs and feelings about themselves and others. They may experience guilt, shame, blame, and persistent negative emotions.
  3. Diagnosis: A formal diagnosis of PTSD is typically made by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Diagnosis criteria are outlined in diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
  4. Treatment: PTSD is treatable, and there are various therapeutic approaches that have been found effective. These include:
    • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Specifically, trauma-focused CBT, which helps individuals process traumatic memories and develop coping strategies.
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A specialized therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to help process traumatic memories.
  5. Support and Coping: Support from friends and family is crucial for individuals with PTSD. Coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can also be beneficial.
  6. Prevention: Efforts to prevent PTSD include early intervention, education about trauma responses, and ensuring that individuals have access to appropriate mental health support after a traumatic event.

It’s important to remember that PTSD is a highly individualized condition, and not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop it. Additionally, individuals with PTSD can experience varying degrees of severity and may respond differently to treatment. Seeking professional help is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management of this condition.

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Service Areas Include Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna in British Columbia. Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto in Ontario. Dartmouth and Halifax in Nova Scotia.