How Trauma Counselling Supports Healing: Approaches and What to Look for in a Therapist

How Trauma Counselling Supports Healing: Finding the Right Therapist for You

Finding a therapist who understands your experiences is an essential part of finding the right therapeutic match. This can be especially important for folks who have experienced trauma and are specifically looking for trauma counselling.

This post explores how trauma counselling supports healing through trauma-informed care, EMDR, somatic therapy, IFS, and DBT. Learn what to look for in a trauma therapist and explore inclusive, compassionate approaches to trauma recovery.

How Trauma-informed Therapy Promotes Safety & Understanding:

Trauma-informed care is a framework that recognizes and responds to the impacts that trauma has on folks, looking to respond in a way that is safe and supportive rather than stigmatizing.

This framework often works hand in hand with trauma counselling, as trauma counselling is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals process and move through the impacts of traumatic events, such as childhood trauma, sexual trauma/violence, intimate partner violence, racism and natural disasters.

Finding a therapist who takes on a trauma-informed lens to trauma therapy can create a more understanding and tailored experience to people's individual healing and processing needs.

Two individuals sit closely together, one with an arm around the other's shoulder, offering comfort and support.

Therapeutic Approaches That Support Trauma Healing:

Therapeutic approaches, or modalities, are specific techniques or approaches used to treat a particular condition, set of responses, or meet a therapeutic goal.

Many therapeutic approaches can significantly reduce symptoms of trauma, as well as deconstruct narratives one might hold around their trauma. The approaches aim to minimize reactions to triggering stimuli and create a sense of safety and stability. The goal is to help folks feel more grounded and safer in their day-to-day life. We are going to look at a few that have been shown to be effective in treating/working with trauma.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR):

EMDR is meant to help clients become less sensitive to traumatic memories by having them recall the events in a safe and controlled environment. The therapist uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, sounds, or tapping) as a tool to help the brain reprocess the traumatic memory. Within the container of therapy, EMDR also allows the client to experience the memory while being safe and present, allowing the brain and body to realize the trauma is over.

This approach can be helpful for folks who are dealing with flashbacks or who struggle with intense traumatic memories.

Neon "breathe" sign set against a backdrop of green foliage.

Somatic Therapy and Reconnecting with the Body:

Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between our mind and body. It aims to help people reconnect with their body and learn to interpret the signals their body may be sending. Somatic therapy acknowledges that traumatic experiences and memories are stored in the body. Stored trauma can manifest in several ways, including physical pain, tension, illness and other symptoms. This therapy utilizes breathwork, mindfulness, body-scanning and other guided practices to release trauma from the body.

This approach can be helpful for folks who are dealing with chronic stress, disconnection from the body or disassociation, and potentially those with unexplained physical symptoms.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) & Emotional Regulation:

DBT works with trauma with a skills-based approach, seeking to teach clients skills to manage symptoms or behaviours that have developed and are causing the client harm. The four main areas that DBT focuses on are: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The goal is that by clients learning skills within these categories, they are able to gain stability, resilience, and improve their relationships and relationship with themselves.

This approach can be helpful for folks who experience reactions to emotions or are experiencing suicidal ideation or self-harm.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Inner Healing & Self-Compassion:

IFS therapy suggests that each person contains "self-energy" and has a core self, as well as various other parts. Parts are categorized in three major groups: Managers, Firefighters and Exiles. The therapist will work with you to get to know your various parts and explore their roles, feelings, and needs. IFS works under the premise that every part is working to keep you and the parts/system safe. This belief can be helpful when exploring behaviours that are often stigmatized, such as self-harm. The therapist's overall goal is to work towards unburdening parts and releasing pain and trauma that the exiles are holding.

This approach can be helpful for folks who have experienced childhood trauma or are dealing with negative beliefs about themselves.

How to Find the Right Trauma Counsellor for You

Having inclusive, trauma-informed supports is vital, and having a trauma counsellor can be a helpful tool in your healing journey.

Suggestions for exploring fit with a new therapist as an individual looking to do trauma work:

-       Explore what trauma approaches to therapy feel like a good fit.

-       Do a free consultation and ask how they work with folks with your identities and lived experiences?

-       See what trauma-specific approaches to therapy they use?

-       Ask how trauma-informed care and consent inform their trauma work?

-       Ask about virtual sessions if location, transportation, or feelings of safety are a concern.

My Approach to Trauma Counselling:

I specialize in supporting those impacted by trauma (sexual, gender-based, racial, workplace, systems, and healthcare). The approaches I use for trauma therapy are Somatic Therapy, IFS, Attachment theory, and some tools for DBT. I will be working on my certification for EMDR, starting in March 2026. Please send me an email for information on starting EMDR sessions! info@counsellingwithrachelle.com

Ready to begin trauma counselling; for virtual sessions, book here; for in-person opportunities in Vancouver, send me an email: info@counsellingwithrachelle.com

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is trauma counselling?

Trauma counselling is a form of therapy that helps individuals process and heal from distressing, traumatic experiences. The focus is on understanding how trauma affects your emotions, body, and relationships while supporting you to build safety, stability, and self-compassion.

2. What does trauma-informed care mean?

Trauma-informed care is a framework that recognizes and responds to the impacts that trauma has on folks, looking to respond in a way that is safe and supportive rather than stigmatizing. A trauma-informed therapist works to avoid re-traumatization and supports you in feeling seen, heard, and respected throughout your healing process.

3. What types of therapy are helpful for trauma?

Several evidence-based approaches are used to support trauma healing, including:

·       Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Helps reprocess traumatic memories safely.

·       Somatic Therapy: Focuses on the mind-body connection and releasing stored trauma.

·       Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT): Teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills.

·       Internal Family Systems (IFS): Helps you connect with and heal your inner “parts” with compassion.

4. How do I know if I need trauma counselling?

You might benefit from trauma counselling if you experience flashbacks, nightmares, chronic stress, anxiety, difficulty trusting others, or unexplained physical symptoms. It can also help if you feel stuck in survival mode or disconnected from your emotions or body.

5. How can I find the right trauma therapist for me?

Look for a therapist who practices trauma-informed care and uses modalities that feel aligned with your needs. Consider asking about their training, approach, and experience working with clients who share similar identities or experiences. Many therapists offer free consultations to explore fit.

6. Do you offer virtual trauma counselling?

Yes! I offer virtual trauma counselling across British Columbia and in-person sessions in Vancouver, by request. Virtual therapy can be especially supportive if accessibility, transportation, or feelings of safety are a concern.

7. How can I start trauma therapy with you?

You can book a virtual session directly here or send an email to info@counsellingwithrachelle.com for in-person opportunities. I offer trauma counselling using Somatic Therapy, IFS, and attachment-based approaches, and I’ll be starting the EMDR certification process in March 2026.