Trauma Therapy in Calgary
Trauma has a way of staying with you long after the event has passed — in your body, your relationships, and the stories you tell yourself about who you are. At Solasta, our registered psychologists offer evidence-based trauma therapy in Calgary to help you process what happened, reduce its hold on your present life, and move forward on your own terms.
What is Trauma and How Can Therapy Help?
Trauma isn’t just about what happened — it’s about what got stuck. When an experience overwhelms your nervous system’s capacity to process it, the memory doesn’t get stored the way ordinary memories do. Instead it stays raw, unintegrated, and easily triggered — showing up as flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or a persistent sense that something is wrong.
Trauma can come from a single event — an accident, an assault, a sudden loss. It can also come from prolonged or repeated experiences like childhood abuse, neglect, or living in an unsafe environment. Both are real, both deserve care, and both respond well to the right therapeutic approach.
Therapy helps your nervous system do what it couldn’t do at the time: process the experience, reduce its emotional charge, and integrate it into your history in a way that no longer controls your present.
Types of Trauma We Address
Trauma presents differently for every person. At Solasta, our therapists work with a full range of traumatic experiences — from single-incident trauma to complex, developmental, and relational trauma. Some of the most common presentations we work with include:
Our therapists are skilled in using evidence-based methods to address the unique challenges each person faces. We provide tailored therapy for a range of trauma types, ensuring personalized care.
Some of the most common trauma-related issues we work with include:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can leave lasting scars, both emotionally and physically. “How can therapy help after experiencing physical abuse?” Therapy helps survivors of physical abuse process their trauma, rebuild self-esteem, and regain trust in others. EMDR and CBT are effective treatments for helping individuals work through these painful memories.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Emotional abuse can be difficult to recognize, but its effects can be just as damaging as physical abuse. “What if my trauma is emotional or psychological?” EMDR and CBT help individuals address negative beliefs about themselves, restore a sense of self-worth, and heal from emotional wounds.
Sexual Abuse or Assault
Sexual trauma is often deeply disturbing and can have a significant impact on mental health. “How can therapy help after sexual assault?” Therapy provides a safe environment to process the trauma, reduce shame and guilt, and work through the emotional aftermath of sexual abuse. Both EMDR and CBT are commonly used to address these sensitive issues.
Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious trauma occurs when repeated exposure to others’ traumatic experiences — through work in healthcare, emergency services, social work, or caregiving — begins to affect your own mental health and worldview. Therapists experienced in vicarious trauma can help you process these secondary exposures and rebuild your capacity for sustainable compassion.
Witnessing Violence or Trauma
Witnessing violence or traumatic events can leave individuals feeling helpless, fearful, or disconnected. “How can therapy help after witnessing a traumatic event?” Trauma therapy Calgary can help you process the experience, reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and regain emotional balance.
Childhood Neglect or Abandonment
Early life experiences of neglect or abandonment can create long-term emotional and psychological challenges. “Can therapy help if I experienced childhood neglect?” Yes, therapy can help you heal from childhood trauma and develop healthier coping mechanisms, building a foundation for emotional resilience and well-being.
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma refers to repeated or prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often over an extended period. “How is complex trauma different from a single traumatic event?” Complex trauma can involve multiple events or sustained stress, such as childhood abuse or living in a war zone. Therapy helps individuals process these multiple layers of trauma and regain a sense of control and peace.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD occurs when an individual continues to experience symptoms long after a traumatic event. “What if I have PTSD?” Therapy for PTSD, including EMDR and CBT, can help individuals reprocess traumatic memories and reduce symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, and anxiety.
Medical Trauma
Frightening medical experiences, serious diagnoses, difficult procedures, or traumatic childbirth can leave lasting psychological effects that are often underrecognised. Medical trauma is a real and treatable condition, and therapy can help you process the fear, loss of control, and physical memories associated with these experiences.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma Recovery
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most extensively researched trauma treatments available, recognised by the World Health Organization and Health Canada as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma. At Solasta, Dr. Gillian McKirdy holds EMDR Canada certification — the national standard for EMDR training and competency.
EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements, tapping, or sound — while you hold a distressing memory in mind. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so it loses its emotional intensity. Many clients find that memories which previously felt overwhelming become neutral or manageable after EMDR — not forgotten, but no longer running the show.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Trauma
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is another highly effective treatment for trauma. “What is CBT and how does it help with trauma?” CBT focuses on helping individuals recognize and challenge the negative thought patterns and behaviours that arise from traumatic experiences.
By changing these thought patterns, individuals can reduce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive memories.
CBT also teaches coping skills to manage distressing emotions and helps individuals rebuild a sense of safety and control.
“How can CBT help me if I’m constantly thinking about my trauma?”
CBT helps individuals break the cycle of rumination and anxiety by teaching practical tools to manage thoughts and emotions in a healthier way.
Somatic Therapy for Trauma
Trauma lives in the body as much as the mind. Tension, chronic pain, a constantly activated stress response, difficulty feeling safe in your own skin — these are physical expressions of unprocessed trauma that talk-based therapies alone don’t always reach.
Somatic therapy works with the body’s physical responses to trauma, using techniques that help regulate your nervous system and release stored tension. At Solasta, we integrate somatic approaches alongside EMDR and CBT for clients whose trauma has a significant physical component. Learn more about somatic therapy.
Other Approaches We Use
Depending on your presentation and what fits best, our therapists also draw on Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) — a brief, evidence-based trauma treatment that can produce significant results in fewer sessions than traditional approaches — as well as trauma-informed CBT, narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. Learn more about ART.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy Calgary
Trauma therapy offers significant benefits for mental and emotional healing.
It provides a supportive space to process difficult experiences and regain control of your life. By addressing the underlying effects of trauma, therapy can promote emotional regulation, improve relationships, and help individuals lead more fulfilling lives. Key benefits include:
Processing and Healing from Traumatic Experiences
Trauma therapy helps individuals understand and process their traumatic experiences, allowing for emotional healing and growth. “How will therapy help me heal from my trauma?” By processing memories and addressing the emotional pain associated with them, therapy enables you to move forward in a healthier, more balanced way.
Improving Emotional Regulation
Trauma often leads to heightened emotional responses, such as anger, anxiety, or sadness. “How can therapy help me control my emotions?” Therapy helps you learn emotional regulation techniques, allowing you to manage strong emotions and respond to triggers in a healthier way.
Building Healthy Coping Strategies
Therapy teaches healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and difficult emotions. “What coping strategies can therapy offer?” From mindfulness and grounding exercises to relaxation techniques, therapy equips you with tools to manage distress and anxiety in your everyday life.
Restoring a Sense of Safety and Control
Trauma can leave you feeling out of control or unsafe. “How will therapy help me feel safe again?” Trauma therapy helps you regain control over your thoughts, emotions, and body, allowing you to feel more secure in your environment and in your relationships.
Improving Relationships and Social Connections
Trauma can affect your ability to trust and connect with others. “Can therapy help me trust people again?” Yes, therapy helps you rebuild trust in others and improve communication, allowing you to form healthier relationships.
Trauma therapy doesn’t erase what happened — but it changes your relationship to it. The goal is for traumatic memories to become part of your history rather than something that continues to shape your present without your consent.
Most clients experience a meaningful reduction in intrusive symptoms — flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional reactivity tend to decrease as therapy progresses. Relationships often improve as the patterns trauma created — avoidance, difficulty trusting, emotional shutdown — become more visible and changeable.
Physical symptoms associated with trauma, including chronic tension, sleep difficulties, and an activated stress response, also tend to improve as the nervous system learns that it’s safe to settle. Many clients describe feeling more present, more connected, and more like themselves than they have in years.
What to Expect During Trauma Therapy at Solasta
Our therapists are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where you can explore and heal from your trauma.
Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment Plan
Your first sessions focus on understanding your history, your current symptoms, and what you’re hoping to change. There’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for — we begin wherever feels safe. Based on this, your therapist will recommend the approaches most likely to be effective for your specific presentation.
Trauma-Informed Care
Every session at Solasta is guided by trauma-informed principles — meaning your therapist understands how trauma affects the nervous system, the therapeutic relationship, and the process of healing itself. You set the pace. Nothing happens without your consent and readiness. Safety comes first, always.
Ongoing Support and Guidance
Trauma recovery isn’t linear, and your therapist will adjust the approach as you progress. Some people experience significant relief relatively quickly — particularly with approaches like EMDR and ART. Others, particularly those working through complex or developmental trauma, find that longer-term work is needed. Both are valid, and we work with you to set realistic expectations from the start.
Common Questions About Trauma Therapy
Whether your trauma is recent or from years ago, therapy can help you reclaim your emotional well-being.
Do I need to remember my trauma clearly for therapy to work?
No. Memory gaps are common with trauma, particularly when it occurred in childhood or involved dissociation. Therapy works with what’s present now — the symptoms, patterns, and emotional responses you experience today — rather than requiring detailed recall of events. Healing can occur regardless of how complete your memories are.
Will I have to talk about what happened in detail?
Not necessarily. Approaches like EMDR and somatic therapy work with trauma without requiring you to narrate events in detail. Your therapist will discuss the options with you and follow your lead on how much verbal processing feels useful and manageable.
How long does trauma therapy take?
It depends on the complexity of your trauma. Single-incident trauma often responds well within 8-20 EMDR sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically requires longer work. ART can produce meaningful results in as few as 1-5 sessions for specific traumas. Your therapist will give you a realistic estimate after the initial assessment.
Can Therapy Help if My Trauma Happened a Long Time Ago?
Yes, therapy can help individuals process trauma, no matter when it occurred. “Is it too late to heal from trauma?” It’s never too late to heal. Therapy can help you process past trauma and reduce its ongoing impact on your life.
Begin Your Healing Journey with Trauma Therapy in Calgary
Trauma doesn’t have to define your future. Our registered psychologists and therapists in Calgary offer evidence-based trauma therapy — in person and online across Alberta — with most clients able to book within days.
Calgary Counselling and Psychology Services
Our Calgary psychologists have a wide range of experience and expertise in understanding the unique needs of our clients and helping you reach your therapy goals.
CAP
All of our psychologists are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologist.
PAA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Psychology Association of Alberta.
CCPA
Many of our psychologists are members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Therapists Specializing in Trauma Therapy
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Our Calgary Office Space
Our thoughtfully designed counselling spaces are crafted to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel completely at ease.
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FAQs
What is trauma therapy and how does it work?
Trauma therapy helps you process and make sense of difficult or overwhelming experiences that continue to affect your daily life. At Solasta, we use evidence-based approaches including EMDR, somatic therapy, and trauma-focused CBT — methods that work with both the mind and body to reduce distress and support lasting recovery.
How do I know if I need trauma therapy?
You might benefit from trauma therapy if you find yourself avoiding reminders of a past event, experiencing intrusive memories or nightmares, feeling emotionally numb or disconnected, or struggling with anxiety, anger, or trust in relationships. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start — if something from your past is getting in the way of your present, that’s enough.
What types of trauma do your therapists treat?
Our therapists work with a wide range of trauma, including childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assault, accidents, medical trauma, grief and loss, relationship trauma, and complex or repeated trauma over time. We also support first responders, veterans, and individuals affected by workplace incidents or violence.
How long does trauma therapy take?
The length of treatment varies depending on the nature and complexity of your experiences. Some people notice significant improvement within 8–12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will work with you to set goals and regularly check in on your progress so you always have a sense of where you are in the process.
Is trauma therapy covered by insurance in Calgary?
Many extended health benefit plans in Alberta cover services provided by registered psychologists and registered social workers. Coverage amounts and eligible providers vary by plan. We recommend checking directly with your insurer before your first appointment. Solasta also offers direct billing to many major insurers to make the process as straightforward as possible.
What should I expect in my first trauma therapy session?
Your first session is about getting to know you — not diving straight into difficult memories. Your therapist will ask about what brought you in, your history, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. It’s a chance to ask questions, get a feel for the approach, and decide whether the fit feels right. You’re always in control of the pace.