Trauma Therapy and Counselling in Mississauga

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of counselling designed to help individuals process and recover from distressing experiences that continue to affect their daily life. Therapists use structured approaches such as EMDR, Somatic Therapy, CBT, and IFS to help clients reprocess traumatic memories, regulate emotions, and reduce the impact of trauma triggers. Through therapy, clients learn coping strategies, gain perspective, and integrate experiences in ways that allow them to move forward with greater emotional balance and self-confidence.

Our trauma counsellors assist clients with a wide range of experiences, including:

• Childhood abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma
  
• Relationship or domestic trauma
  
• Workplace stress or harassment
  
• Accidents or sudden events
  
• Loss, grief, or bereavement
  
• Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
  

Therapists tailor interventions based on each client’s needs, often combining multiple modalities to address both emotional and physical responses to trauma.

Yes. Online trauma therapy is highly effective, even though sessions do not occur in person, when delivered by qualified therapists trained in virtual care. Research shows that virtual therapy can achieve outcomes comparable to in-person sessions for trauma recovery, including reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Our therapists use secure video conferencing through Jane App, a Canadian platform fully encrypted and compliant with PIPEDA and PHIPA, ensuring both confidentiality and a private space for processing sensitive material.

One reason online therapy is so effective is that many clients feel more comfortable and safe in their own environment, which can reduce anxiety and increase willingness to engage with difficult memories. Being at home or in another familiar setting allows clients to practice grounding techniques, self-soothing, and mindfulness exercises in a space where they feel in control. Therapists can also adapt interventions for the virtual format — for example, guiding bilateral stimulation for EMDR over video, demonstrating body-based exercises for Somatic Therapy, or sharing worksheets and exercises digitally for CBT and DBT.

Online trauma therapy also removes barriers to care, such as commuting, mobility limitations, or scheduling conflicts, making it easier to maintain consistent sessions — which is crucial for effective trauma work. In addition, virtual therapy allows therapists to tailor interventions to each client’s pace and emotional capacity, offering breaks, check-ins, and grounding exercises as needed. For many clients, this combination of accessibility, safety, and personalized guidance means that online trauma therapy can be just as impactful — and sometimes even more comfortable — than traditional in-person sessions.

Sessions typically begin with a thorough check-in and grounding exercises to ensure that clients feel emotionally and physically safe before addressing challenging material. This might include breathwork, mindfulness techniques, or guided body scans to help clients reconnect with the present moment and feel anchored in their bodies. Once safety is established, the therapist collaboratively identifies the key traumatic experiences, patterns, or triggers that need to be addressed in the session.

Depending on the modality, the therapist may then guide the client through bilateral stimulation in EMDR to help reprocess distressing memories, body-focused exercises in Somatic Therapy to release tension and trauma held in the nervous system, or cognitive restructuring in CBT to challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs stemming from trauma. Sessions are paced collaboratively, with therapists continuously monitoring for emotional overwhelm and adjusting interventions as needed. This allows clients to work through difficult material at a manageable pace, integrating insights and coping skills between sessions, and gradually building resilience, self-regulation, and confidence in their ability to navigate past and present stressors.

Trauma therapy may be right if you experience persistent anxiety, flashbacks, emotional numbing, difficulty in relationships, or other ongoing symptoms related to past events. Even if trauma feels “old” or you’ve tried previous therapy, specialized trauma approaches can provide deeper healing. Our therapists assess your history and goals to determine the best modalities, which may include EMDR, Somatic Therapy, CBT, or a combination.

The length of trauma therapy varies depending on the complexity of the trauma, the individual’s personal history, and specific therapeutic goals. For some clients, meaningful improvements in emotional regulation, coping skills, and symptom relief can be experienced within 6–12 sessions, particularly when the trauma is more recent or specific. However, individuals who have experienced complex, long-term, or repeated trauma, such as ongoing childhood neglect, multiple adverse life events, or relational trauma, often benefit from longer-term therapy. Extended therapy provides the space to safely explore layered experiences, develop deeper self-awareness, and practice new coping strategies over time.

Throughout the process, therapists at The Therapy Space continually assess progress, checking in on symptom reduction, emotional stability, and the client’s comfort level with the work being done. Therapy plans are flexible and collaborative, allowing interventions to be adjusted based on the client’s evolving needs while maintaining a focus on safety, pacing, and emotional stability. This ensures that each client can move through trauma processing at a pace that feels manageable, building resilience and confidence, while avoiding feelings of overwhelm or retraumatization. Long-term therapy also allows for ongoing skill development and reinforcement, helping clients not only heal from past experiences but also navigate future challenges with greater emotional strength.

Yes. All therapists hold Master’s-level degrees in counselling or psychotherapy and are CRPO-registered. Many have advanced certifications in EMDR, Somatic Therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, and IFS, giving them specialized expertise in trauma recovery. Registered Psychotherapists practice independently, while Qualifying RPs and supervised interns provide therapy under professional guidance, often at reduced cost, maintaining high-quality care and accessibility.

Clients often experience:

• Reduced intensity of traumatic memories and triggers
  
• Improved emotional regulation and mood stability
  
• Better sleep and decreased hypervigilance
  
• Stronger self-esteem and self-compassion
  
• Relief from somatic or physical tension
  
• Healthier relationships and communication
  

Trauma therapy promotes integration of mind and body, helping clients feel safe, grounded, and more connected to themselves and others.

Absolutely. Trauma therapy frequently addresses co-occurring mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders, or other stress-related conditions that often arise alongside traumatic experiences. Trauma can create patterns of emotional dysregulation, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, or persistent negative beliefs about oneself and the world, which can exacerbate these conditions. By working through the root causes of these reactions, clients develop practical coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, and resilience-building techniques that help reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms.

In an online therapy setting, our therapists are able to integrate trauma-focused interventions with supportive approaches such as mindfulness exercises, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Somatic practices, offering a comprehensive and holistic plan for healing. For example, while EMDR or Somatic Therapy may directly target the processing of traumatic memories, mindfulness or CBT strategies can be used to manage anxiety or negative thought patterns that emerge between sessions. This combined approach allows clients to build sustainable coping mechanisms, improve day-to-day functioning, and experience not just relief from trauma symptoms but also overall improvements in mental health and well-being.

Sessions typically range from $145–$180 per 50-minute session, depending on therapist experience. We offer sliding scale options and reduced-cost sessions with supervised interns to make trauma therapy accessible. While OHIP does not cover psychotherapy, many extended health benefits plans reimburse Registered Psychotherapist sessions, and clients receive receipts for insurance purposes.

Feeling emotional during trauma work is completely normal and can be an important part of the healing process. Experiencing strong emotions, memories, or bodily sensations is a natural response when addressing difficult experiences. At The Therapy Space, our trauma therapists use a variety of stabilization and grounding techniques to help clients manage distress in the moment. This can include breathing exercises, guided mindfulness, body scans, sensory grounding, and visualization techniques, all designed to help clients feel safe, present, and connected to their body.

Clients maintain full control throughout the process — sessions can be paused, slowed down, or stopped entirely if needed. Therapists continuously check in with clients to assess emotional readiness and comfort, ensuring that no one feels pushed or overwhelmed. By emphasizing safety, pacing, and informed consent, our therapists create an environment where trauma processing occurs at a manageable and supportive pace. Over time, this approach helps clients develop confidence in their ability to handle difficult emotions, build resilience, and engage in healing without the fear of retraumatization. It also allows clients to integrate therapeutic insights and skills into daily life, promoting long-term emotional regulation and overall well-being.

You can begin by:

1. Completing the Get Matched form — share your goals, preferences, and budget, and our intake team will pair you with a suitable therapist.
   
2. Browsing therapist profiles — watch videos, read bios, and book sessions directly online.
   

All sessions are conducted securely through Jane App, ensuring privacy and convenience. Our team also assists with insurance questions, session preparation, and guidance on what to expect in your first session.