How do I know if I need counselling for PTSD?

You do not need to be sure before you reach out. If memories, nightmares or feeling on edge keep getting in the way of sleep, work or relationships, talking with a counsellor may help. Some people notice these reactions soon after an event, and others notice them months or years later. Our free 15-minute consultation by phone or video is a chance to ask questions first.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No, you decide what to share and when. Many people start by building a sense of safety and learning grounding tools before talking about what happened. Some approaches, such as somatic experiencing (SE), a body-based therapy, focus more on what you notice in your body than on the details of the story.

What therapies are used for PTSD counselling?

Our counsellors use several trauma-focused approaches. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that helps the brain process painful memories. Observed experiential integration (OEI) and sensorimotor psychotherapy also work with how the body holds trauma. Your counsellor will talk with you about which approach fits you best.

Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start counselling?

No, you do not need a diagnosis to start. You can come in because something hard happened and it still affects you, even if it was a long time ago. Your counsellor will focus on what you are going through and what you want to change, not on a label.

Can I do PTSD counselling online in BC?

Yes, you can meet online from anywhere in BC or in person. Some people feel safer at home, and others prefer a separate space away from daily life. Counselling is not an emergency service: if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.

Professional Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy in Canada

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counselling in BC

PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health problem that can result from experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event such as sexual assault, combat, car accidents, or natural disasters.

Book a free consultation See post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counsellors

36 counsellors
In person or online

Signs

What post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can feel like

Many people feel shaken after something frightening happens. It may be time to reach out when memories, fear or feeling on edge keep coming back and get in the way of daily life.

Memories of the event that push in uninvited
Always on guard, jumpy or easily startled
Avoiding places, people or news that remind you
Nightmares or trouble falling or staying asleep
Flashbacks that feel like it is happening again
Feeling numb or far away from people you love
Irritability or sudden anger that surprises you
Blaming yourself for what happened

How counselling helps

What working on it together looks likeHow counselling helps

Early on
Understand your reactions
Your counsellor helps you see how trauma affects your body and mind. Together you learn why your reactions make sense, at a pace that feels safe to you.
As you go
Feel safe in your body
You practise grounding, simple ways to stay in the present, and body-based tools such as mindfulness. These can help you calm fear and feel more in control.
Over time
Move forward gently
When you feel ready, you work through painful memories slowly with your counsellor. This can help the past feel more like the past, so you have more room for your life.

Approaches

Therapies our counsellors use for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Therapies used

Where

In person in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver, or onlineWhere

About

More about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health problem that can result from experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event such as sexual assault, combat, car accidents, or natural disasters. After such events, it is a natural reaction to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, have difficulties sleeping, or participate in daily activities like going to work or spending time with loved ones. However, if these issues persist for longer than a few months, it may be an indicator that it has developed into PTSD. It is also not uncommon for symptoms of PTSD to emerge much later after the event has passed.

There are four categories of PTSD symptoms:

Intrusion symptoms: Symptoms that involve reliving the event in some way, whether it be in memories, nightmares or flashbacks. Oftentimes, these make it feel like you are going through the event all over again in the present.
Avoidance of cues related to the event: Efforts to avoid memories, thoughts, or feelings connected to what happened or avoiding people, places, activities, or other external cues that are associated with the trauma.
Negative beliefs and feelings: Changes in how you see yourself, others and the world are common following a traumatic event. Beliefs may form, such as “I am bad”, “the world is a scary place” or “no one can be trusted”. Feelings such as guilt or shame may be present, as well as difficulty feeling any positive emotions. You may also find yourself withdrawing from others or not wanting to participate in activities that you used to enjoy.
Changes in reactivity: You may find that following a traumatic event, you feel more “keyed up”, also known as hyperarousal. This can manifest as increased irritability, behaving self-destructively as a means of coping, and feeling easily startled. Difficulties may arise with concentrating and with sleep as well.

How can counselling help?

A trauma-informed approach to counselling emphasises creating emotional safety as a starting point. This is fostered by developing a trusting relationship with the counsellor, as well as by learning and practising tools such as grounding that help you remain present and in control when facing difficult emotions, thoughts, and sensations. Because revisiting traumas can be very destabilising, trauma therapists take care to attune to your state of mind moment-to-moment to ensure that it is healing rather than overwhelming. Within the context of emotional safety, trauma can be processed gradually and gently, allowing big and lasting change to be integrated.

A great deal of research has demonstrated the connection between trauma and the nervous system. As such, mind-body therapies such as EMDR, OEI, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Somatic Experiencing are very effective in restoring balance to the body and mind.

PTSD Counselling at No Fear Counselling

At No Fear Counselling, our therapists provide compassionate and trauma-informed PTSD counselling tailored to your unique experiences and recovery goals. We offer support for individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, motor vehicle accident trauma, childhood trauma, abuse recovery, and other trauma-related concerns.

Services are available across Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Chilliwack, and through online counselling throughout Canada.

If you are struggling with PTSD symptoms, you do not have to navigate recovery alone. Contact No Fear Counselling today to book an appointment and begin your healing journey.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

BC Provincial Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council. (2013). Trauma-informed practice guide.

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. New York: Viking.

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Counsellors who help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Counsellors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

See all 36All 36

Gayane Ghazaryan
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Existential Concerns, Depression, Complex Trauma, Anger Management, Addictions / Substance Use, Loneliness, Purpose, Guilt/Shame, Relationship Concerns, Abuse, Immigration & Acculturation, Life Transitions, Emotional Regulation, Self Esteem, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Cancer Support
- Languages: Armenian, English, Russian
- Where: Online
View profile of Gayane Ghazaryan
Pawandeep Kaur
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Parenting, Inner Child Work, Childhood Depression, Childhood Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Phobias, Anger Management, Attachment Concerns, Sexual Concerns, Suicidal Ideation, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Child Counselling (6 to 12 years), Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Depression+17 more
- Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
- Where: Burnaby · Surrey · Vancouver
View profile of Pawandeep Kaur
Rejoe Mohan
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Repairing Relationships, Relationship Concerns, Acute Trauma, Work and Life Balance, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Addictions / Substance Use, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Depression, Anger Management
- Languages: English, Malayalam
- Where: Burnaby · Online
View profile of Rejoe Mohan
Svetlana Usanina
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Existential Concerns, Codependency, Disordered Eating, Depression, Self Compassion, Loneliness, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Guilt/Shame, Divorce/Separation, Life Transitions, Emotional Regulation, Fears, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Women's Concerns, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Relationship Concerns, Work and Life Balance, Panic Attacks, Stress ManagementPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Existential Concerns+22 more
- Languages: English, Russian
- Where: Coquitlam
View profile of Svetlana Usanina
Justice Skinner
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Trauma, Depression, Complex Trauma, Self Compassion, Criminal Justice System Involvement, Psychoeducation, Guilt/Shame, Concussions, Chronic Illness, Attachment Concerns, Emotional Regulation, Self Esteem, Stress Management, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Gender Affirmative Therapy, Birth Trauma, Repairing Relationships, LGBTQ2+
- Languages: English
- Where: Vancouver · Online
View profile of Justice Skinner
Namita Kandhola
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Addictions / Substance Use, Self Compassion, Stress Management, Anxiety, Building Healthy Parent/Child Connections, Panic Attacks, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Anger Management, Child Counselling (6 to 12 years), Couples/Marriage Counselling, Coping with Injury/Loss, Motor Vehicle Accidents, ADHD and ADD, Acute Trauma, Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Depression+16 more
- Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi
- Where: Online
View profile of Namita Kandhola

FAQs

Common questions about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counsellingCommon questions

Can't find your answer? Ask us a question.

You do not need to be sure before you reach out. If memories, nightmares or feeling on edge keep getting in the way of sleep, work or relationships, talking with a counsellor may help. Some people notice these reactions soon after an event, and others notice them months or years later. Our free 15-minute consultation by phone or video is a chance to ask questions first.
No, you decide what to share and when. Many people start by building a sense of safety and learning grounding tools before talking about what happened. Some approaches, such as somatic experiencing (SE), a body-based therapy, focus more on what you notice in your body than on the details of the story.
Our counsellors use several trauma-focused approaches. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that helps the brain process painful memories. Observed experiential integration (OEI) and sensorimotor psychotherapy also work with how the body holds trauma. Your counsellor will talk with you about which approach fits you best.
No, you do not need a diagnosis to start. You can come in because something hard happened and it still affects you, even if it was a long time ago. Your counsellor will focus on what you are going through and what you want to change, not on a label.
Yes, you can meet online from anywhere in BC or in person. Some people feel safer at home, and others prefer a separate space away from daily life. Counselling is not an emergency service: if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counselling in BC

What post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can feel like

What working on it together looks likeHow counselling helps

Understand your reactions

Feel safe in your body

Move forward gently

Therapies our counsellors use for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Therapies used

In person in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver, or onlineWhere