Trauma therapy in Scarborough in-person | Online across Ontario and Nova Scotia

A safe place to untangle what feels overwhelming

What trauma can feel like

Trauma can come from experiences that felt overwhelming, frightening, or emotionally unmanageable at the time they occurred. These experiences may have been sudden and unexpected, or they may have built up slowly over months or years. Trauma is not defined only by what happened, but by how your mind and body had to cope in order to keep you safe.

Some people notice the impact of trauma immediately, while others begin to feel the effects much later. Therapy can help you understand how trauma has shaped your emotional life, relationships, and sense of safety, and support you in reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels steady and grounded.

    • Avoiding places, people, or memories that feel too activating

    • Keeping yourself busy or overworking to stay distracted

    • Struggling with boundaries or saying no

    • Shifts in sleep, appetite, or daily rhythms

    • Feeling easily irritated, overwhelmed, or overstimulated

    • Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled

    • Finding it hard to trust or connect with others

    • Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from yourself

    • Carrying persistent self-blame, guilt, or shame

    • Struggling to concentrate or stay present

    • Ongoing tension, restlessness, or persistent fatigue

    • A racing heart or shallow breathing

    • Moments of feeling frozen, overwhelmed, or shut down

    • Difficulty relaxing, resting, or feeling settled in your body

How therapy helps

  • Process painful memories in a safe, non-judgmental space

  • Learn grounding and coping tools for strong emotions

  • Rebuild a sense of trust and safety

  • Support healing, resilience, and reconnection

What contributes to trauma

Trauma can arise from many different types of experiences. These may include:

  • Childhood emotional or physical neglect

  • Experiences of violence or threat

  • Accidents or medical emergencies

  • Loss, instability, or unpredictable environments

  • Relationship trauma or betrayal

  • Chronic stress or burnout that pushed you beyond your limits

  • Growing up without emotional support or safety

Therapy offers a compassionate space to explore these experiences and understand how they continue to affect you.

Understanding PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop when trauma overwhelms your ability to cope. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but for some, symptoms become persistent and interfere with daily life.

PTSD may show up as:

  • Intrusive memories or flashbacks

  • Nightmares or distressing dreams

  • Avoidance of reminders of the trauma

  • Heightened anxiety, irritability, or restlessness

  • Feeling watchful or on alert

  • Emotional numbness or detachment

  • Difficulty concentrating or sleeping

Therapy can help you understand these symptoms and develop strategies that support safety, regulation, and resilience.

How therapy can support those experiencing PTSD

PTSD therapy focuses on helping you build safety, process your experiences at a pace that feels manageable, and develop skills to regulate your nervous system.

Therapeutic support may include:

  • Stabilization and grounding strategies

  • Cognitive approaches to reshape unhelpful trauma-related beliefs

  • Emotional processing and meaning-making

  • Support for reconnecting with your body

  • Strengthening your sense of control and agency

PTSD therapy moves slowly, respectfully, and collaboratively. You are never pushed to revisit memories before you feel ready.

How therapy can support those experiencing trauma

Trauma therapy supports you in moving at a pace that feels safe. We work with evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, grounding strategies, mindfulness-based work, and emotion-focused therapy. Where helpful, we also incorporate trauma-stabilization techniques and body-awareness strategies.

Therapy can help you:

  • Understand how trauma has shaped your nervous system and emotions

  • Build tools for grounding and calming overwhelming feelings

  • Explore the meaning of your experiences

  • Strengthen self-compassion and self-understanding

  • Rebuild trust in yourself and your relationships

  • Identify patterns that began as survival strategies but no longer serve you

Healing from trauma takes time, and therapy provides a supportive space to explore this work gently and thoughtfully.

Trauma therapy in Scarborough

Our Scarborough clinic offers a calming, supportive environment where children, teens, and adults can explore the impact of trauma. Many people appreciate the sense of safety that in-person therapy provides, along with the structure and grounding of a dedicated therapy space.

If you live in Scarborough or the surrounding areas, our team is here to support you with trauma-informed care that honours your pace and experiences.

Online trauma therapy across Ontario and Nova Scotia

If in-person sessions are not accessible or comfortable for you, we also offer online trauma therapy across Ontario and Nova Scotia. Virtual therapy provides the same evidence-based support and allows you to connect from the comfort of your home.

This can be especially helpful if you prefer a familiar space, have mobility or scheduling limitations, or find travel difficult.

Fees & insurance

Therapy sessions start at $180/hour. Most extended health plans cover services provided by registered psychologists or social workers.

Frequently asked questions
about therapy for trauma and PTSD

What type of therapist is best for trauma?

A therapist trained in trauma-informed approaches — such as CBT, grounding strategies, emotion-focused work, or somatic awareness — can be especially helpful. At Thrive Psychology, our clinicians work collaboratively with you, ensuring the process feels safe, steady and at a pace that honours your comfort.

Which therapy is best for trauma?

There isn’t one “best” approach for everyone. Many people find support through a blend of grounding tools, CBT, mindfulness-based strategies and relational therapy. What matters most is that therapy feels supportive, empowering and responsive to your needs.

What triggers can worsen trauma symptoms?

Triggers vary widely and may include reminders of past events, sudden changes in routine, conflict, specific environments or internal sensations that mirror past distress. Therapy can help you identify your personal triggers and learn grounding strategies that increase safety and stability.

What is the fastest way to calm trauma-related distress?

There is no single quick method, but grounding techniques — like slowing your breathing, orienting to your surroundings or placing your feet firmly on the floor — can reduce immediate distress. Therapy helps you build a personalized set of tools that feel reliable and supportive over time.

What is the best therapy for PTSD?

Evidence-based treatments such as trauma-focused CBT, grounding work and EMDR (when appropriate) are often effective for PTSD. The right approach depends on your needs, preferences and what helps you feel safe throughout the process.

What type of therapist should I see for PTSD?

A therapist experienced in trauma and PTSD-specific care can help you understand your symptoms and guide you through a compassionate, structured healing process. Our team at Thrive offers trauma-informed support tailored to you.

What triggers can worsen PTSD?

PTSD triggers may include certain sounds, places, smells, relationship stress or sensations that resemble past danger. Therapy can help you identify these patterns and develop skills to navigate them without feeling overwhelmed.

What is the fastest way to calm PTSD symptoms?

Grounding strategies, slow breathing and reconnecting to the present moment can help ease distress in the short term — but PTSD healing is a long-term, supportive process. You do not have to manage symptoms on your own.

Can PTSD improve without therapy?

Some people notice symptoms lessen over time, but many benefit from structured therapy to process past experiences, reduce avoidance and build tools for long-term healing. Support can make the process more steady and manageable.

Is online therapy effective for PTSD?

Yes. Online PTSD therapy can be just as effective as in-person care and offers flexibility, privacy and accessibility for clients across Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Reach out for support with trauma or PTSD whenever you’re ready

You don’t have to navigate trauma or PTSD alone. Therapy offers a supportive, respectful, and grounding space to understand your experiences and begin healing at a pace that feels right for you.

The first step is a 15-minute phone or video consultation. It’s a chance to share what’s been happening and ask any questions you have about getting started.

Book a free consultation with us