TRAUMA THERAPY IN OTTAWA, ON

“Trauma” is a word that is often thrown around without a true understanding of what it means or truly entails. When we hear the word “trauma” our initial thoughts may be a distressing event or series of events from caregivers in our childhood, a catastrophic event like a natural disaster, or experiences from working in particular professions such as first responders and military professionals. While trauma can definitely be what people think of in a more traditional sense, “trauma” also refers to any life events, big or small, that have caused a trauma response in the brain that the body is struggling to process. Trauma therapy is an effective way to support the body in processing past events that may have you feeling stuck or seeking change.

Trauma & The Body

Any event can be traumatic if the individual has experienced the event as dangerous, life-threatening, abusive and/or terrifying. When we feel stressed or threatened, our bodies naturally react through a process called “fight or flight”, which is an automatic response. In most situations, following a fight or flight response, the body is able to regulate the nervous system and return to a normal state. However, some traumatic events can push the nervous system beyond what it can handle and can lead to lasting physiological changes in the nervous system that can create barriers to a healthy lifestyle. 

The physical changes we see in the body following trauma can affect our nervous system in a way that continues to impact our perception of the world and can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, anger, fear, depression and even more formally diagnosed conditions such as PTSD or C-PTSD.

The good news, however, is that just as trauma can change the brain and nervous system, so can healing.

Trauma therapy is a helpful way to re-work old negative pathways and overcome past events to move forward with the life you want and deserve. Regardless of what brought you here from your past, we can help you to rework your future.

A Holistic Approach to Trauma therapy

Many of our practitioners are trauma-informed. This means that not only are our practitioners able to work with you on the physical healing aspects, but are also trained and aware of what those with trauma are holding within them that might be a barrier to care. Our trauma-informed practitioners understand that you have taken the first step to your health, and they are here to make this as comfortable as possible. 

Trauma therapy is traditionally thought of as a type of talk therapy that is focused on supporting people with a history of trauma or a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

At Femade, we offer a holistic approach to trauma, offering both physical and talk therapies for supporting individuals processing trauma. 

Acupuncture For Trauma

There are several studies that indicate the benefits of acupuncture following traumatic events. A 2019 study conducted on earthquake survivors showed a significant improvement in both psychological and physical pain symptoms following acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture works to resolve trauma in several different ways, one of which is that it supports the release of “happy chemicals” such as endorphins and serotonin. It is also an effective way to relax and regulate the nervous system which, as mentioned above, can be heavily influenced by trauma. Acupuncture can also support healing by reducing overall anxiety, promoting better sleep and relieving muscle tension. Acupoint stimulation has also been shown to promote better results from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) than CBT alone. At Femade, we can help you create an individualized healing plan with support from different practitioners across our team.

Counselling for trauma

Talk therapy is one of the most common and effective therapies for supporting PTSD and trauma. Our psychotherapist uses a holistic therapeutic style of counselling where compassion and empathy are deeply rooted in validating your feelings and active listening. Mélanie regularly works with individuals who have experienced sexual assault and abuse, domestic violence and self-harm, PTSD and all other forms of trauma. If you would like to speak with Mélanie to determine if she may be the best fit for you, please book a discovery session now.

Our Peer Help Support is also a more informal source of talking through trauma, incidences in which may be bringing up recurring feelings, and finding a place of welcome and belonging. Similarly, our virtual support groups - while not explicitly working with your trauma or triggers - can be a great place to find a community. 

Who Should See a Trauma Therapist?

While symptoms of trauma can vary significantly between individuals, it’s important to know when to seek support for your experiences. If you are experiencing hyperarousal or an inability to relax, panic attacks, nightmares, insomnia, depression, anger, or any other disruptive feelings that you believe may be connected to your past, it is important to reach out. It may also be helpful to address symptoms - though they may seem unrelated - that you developed around the time of the traumatic event. We can help to determine if helping with the trauma can also help overcome the symptoms. We are a safe space, and no issue is too “small” or “taboo” for us. If you are craving support, your feelings are valid, and we are here to support you every step of your healing journey.

Why Consider Trauma Therapy at Femade?

At Femade, we are committed to mental and physical chronic pain in females, those who have transitioned, and those assigned female at birth. Our approach is unique in that when you come to our clinic with a health concern, such as trauma, we can work with you in a holistic and whole-body approach. As mentioned above, we offer trauma therapy via both manual and talk therapies to provide a comprehensive and cohesive approach to healing for trauma and many other symptoms, conditioners & illnesses. 

If you are looking for support with overcoming trauma and the results of trauma, our team can support you through acupuncture and counselling. If you’re not totally sure where to start, consider a personalized assessment. Send us a quick email to get the ball rolling. From there, we can hear your story (the whole thing) and find the best course of action for your situation.

You Don’t Have To Do This Alone. We’re Here To Help.

If you’ve felt or are feeling dismissed, ignored and/or frustrated on your health journey, we want you to know that you have done nothing wrong and your processing of trauma is totally normal. Femade is a multidisciplinary, safe space for you to heal and be heard. If you’re ready to get started with trauma therapy in Ottawa or have any questions please contact our office. Otherwise, we invite you to book an appointment now.

Not sure where to start?

If you’re not sure where to start, consider a health consult with our clinical director and founder. We can take it from there.