Leaving Your Past Behind
 The best kept secret is no more. With EMDR, Trauma Therapy in Calgary is literally a thing of the past.
Health Professionals
World-class trauma therapists.
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Accessible from any device; PC, Laptop, Tablet, Mobile.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention and maintenance programs to solidify long-term results.
Health Coverage
Data-driven programs customized to participant needs. No questions go unanswered.
Introduction
Trauma Therapy in Calgary
Eliminate Trauma in 1, 2, 3 Sessions
Traumatic events are inevitable. They can happen to anyone, at any time, and leave an indelible mark on the psyche that often manifests in painful symptoms, both mentally and physically.
Trauma can have a devastating effect on the victims and their loved ones, and it can be hard to cope with the aftermath. Nevertheless, our skilled trauma practitioners specialize in trauma treatment and are trained to end your suffering.
One treatment they provide is EMDR therapy, a bonafide evidenced-based treatment to help process traumatic memories. Moreover, it helps people develop new strategies for dealing with future trauma by helping them to establish positive coping mechanisms. It also promotes relaxation and cognitive restructuring, which are two other important factors in managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Overall, EMDR therapy is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for PTSD available today that promotes rapid healing in the hands of trained professionals. It has been shown to be effective in treating both short-term and long-term PTSD symptoms, and its effects last longer than many other forms of treatment.
Please read on to find out more about counselling and how trauma is no match for the skilled clinicians at Orchestra Counselling Services. Read on to find out how trauma therapy in Calgary can help you move beyond your painful memories and reclaim your innocence, wonderment, and joy, today.
What is trauma?
The term “trauma” is often loosely used to describe any emotionally painful event. But in reality, there exists a very specific definition of trauma – one that is accompanied by intense fear and stress which render an individual helpless. This particular kind of traumatic event triggers the “fight or flight” response and leaves a lasting impression on the psyche that can manifest in various ways, the most common of which is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder and what is it characterized by?
PTSD is a mental disorder that can occur when an individual experiences or witnesses life-threatening events, whether it’s an accident, injury, natural disaster or war. The trauma of these events are so severe that they often result in lasting psychological harm to the sufferer which may manifest in their day-to-day lives in various ways.
Trauma Therapy in Calgary symptoms of PTSD are divided into four subtypes, four clusters to which the subtypes are grouped under. The first cluster includes re-experiencing or flashback memories that bring back the traumatic event as if it were happening in real-time. The second cluster includes avoidance of anything that brings back memories of trauma i.e., avoiding people, avoiding recurring thoughts, places and things that remind the sufferer of the traumatic event. The third cluster is typically characterized by emotional detachment from people or being “numb” to emotions that previously used to bring joy before the traumatic life-changing event. The fourth cluster involves hypervigilance which results in a sufferer constantly on guard monitoring their environment for any potential threat.
If you experience any of the following symptoms please reach out and we can discuss next steps in determining if an assessment for a diagnosis of PTSD may be in order at no cost to you. We are here to help.
What classifies as traumatic experiences?
Traumatic experiences threaten your life, safety, and security. Although you hear about major traumatic experiences, any distressing event that can threaten harm, create heightened emotions, and reduce your emotional stability, can be classified as a traumatic event. Here are some examples
• Domestic violence
• War and terrorism
• Physical assault
• Natural disasters e.g. earthquakes, floods
• Car accident
• Trespassing
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Emotional neglect
The more traumatic events you have experienced, the more severe the condition becomes. However, even though these events are life-changing experiences, many people fail to seek help for trauma counselling because they believe it is a sign of weakness or that they will be forever haunted by their memories. This is far from true, and in reality, there exists a wide spectrum of effective treatments to help you process your traumatic memories and move past them so that they no longer interfere with the quality of your life.
Can childhood traumatic experiences stay with me as an adult?
A study that followed children who had experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse found that many of them still experienced emotional scars present in their lives as adults. The findings were published in the journal of Psychiatry Research which said: “Childhood maltreatment is a significant predictor for several psychiatric disorders in adulthood, highlighting the need to investigate potential pathways from childhood trauma to adult psychopathology.
What is trauma counselling?
Trauma Therapy in Calgary counselling involves a series of treatments to help you process your traumatic memories and move past them so that they no longer interfere with the quality of life. Psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are effective in treating trauma symptoms as has narrative therapy, somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, solution-focused therapy, and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).
What is Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) and how is it used in trauma therapy?
EMDR has been proven to be an effective treatment for PTSD. In fact, studies have shown that EMDR is the most effective therapy for veterans with PTSD. One study of female victims of sexual assault found that EMDR reduced their symptoms by 66% in one session, and 74% after three sessions.
How does it work?
EMDR in trauma therapy combines controlled eye movements, listening to sounds, and feelings of peacefulness which allows you to reprocess the memory easier. The therapist will help you focus on the unpleasant emotion associated with the traumatic memory while utilizing one of the aforementioned techniques at a time until you can move past the memory.
Are the results are miraculous as I often hear from others who have undergone trauma counselling?
Session duration varies from person to person as everyone is different. Nevertheless, usually, a course of treatment between three to twelve sessions is sufficient enough for most people to achieve their goals of overcoming trauma.
Is EMDR online counselling offered at Orchestra?
Yes, we offer EMDR therapy online. Our online service is completely confidential and we take pride in providing a safe, warm, supportive environment of individual psychotherapy for people of all walks of life who may require some help dealing with traumatic experiences.
Do trauma therapists require specialized training to perform EMDR?
EMDR is an entire certification on top of Master’s degree work, clinical experience with patients, and continued hours of education with practical experience with trauma work. The therapists at Orchestra are certified by EMDRIA, the professional association for EMDR therapists and the highest international standard.
You can find out more about EMDRIA by clicking below.
How do I choose a trauma therapist at Orchestra?
All of the therapists at Orchestra offer trauma counselling and it is important to choose a therapist who offers treatments that suit your personal needs. We recommend finding a trauma therapist who is experienced in treating the type of trauma you are feeling which can be done by asking about their training, experience, and success rates.
How much does counselling cost in Alberta and Ontario at Orchestra?
Trauma Therapy in Calgary (Our) fees are competitive with industry standards of both regions for EMDR therapists; however, we do offer sliding scale options to try and accommodate the needs of everyone in both provinces. We do our very best to help. Please inquire about pricing to see how we can make EMDR therapy feasible for you based on your needs and budget.
Is trauma therapy covered by OHIP or extended health benefits?
If you are in Ontario, unfortunately, counselling is not covered by OHIP.
However, it can be covered by extended health benefits. This will vary from person to person depending on their own policies and we recommend you contact your insurance company to see what your plan covers for you.
How can I get started?
Simply book a free consultation with us and one of our therapists will reach out to learn more about you and your needs. Our initial consultations are complimentary and come at no cost to you.
To all those suffering...
Trauma is a painful reality we may all experience at some point in our lives but one that doesn’t have to be a permanent one. EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for PTSD that can be performed online with no in-person contact required and one which can return you to the quality of life you wished you had but never thought possible.
Together, it’s not just possible, it’s inevitable.
Take good care of yourself and we hope to meet you soon,
The Orchestra Team