Trauma Therapy Online: Canada-Based Options for Mental Health Support

After experiencing a traumatic event, it can take time and support to heal and move forward. Trauma therapy can be an effective way to receive this crucial support and learn evidence-based methods for processing and navigating trauma with a qualified professional.

Trauma therapy online in Canada

If you’re searching for trauma therapy online, Canada has various options for finding and meeting with a credentialed trauma therapist offering trauma-informed care. Let’s go over how to identify trauma, an overview of trauma therapy, and specific evidence-based therapeutic methods that can help clients manage trauma-related symptoms and foster overall well-being. We’ll also cover how to find a provider online in Canada plus the potential benefits and effectiveness of online therapy for trauma-related mental health conditions.

Identifying and understanding trauma

These occurrences are known as traumatic events, and they can be one-time instances (e.g., motor vehicle accident) or ongoing (e.g., relationship issues). Examples of types of trauma can include:

• Medical trauma
• Disaster trauma
• Childhood trauma/neglect
• Generational/historical trauma
• Domestic violence or other abuse
• Sexual abuse/sexual assault
• Political/war trauma
• Poverty, discrimination, or other repeated social trauma
• Grief

How trauma can impact mental health

Trauma can impact an individual’s mental health in many ways, and different individuals may have different reactions—even to the same event. After a traumatic event, some may experience fear, sadness, anxiety, stress, or other trauma-related symptoms. Additionally, about one in three individuals who experience severe trauma will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

According to the DSM-5, PTSD can involve the following emotional and physical symptoms:

• Unwanted upsetting traumatic memories
• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, including thoughts, feelings, and reminders of traumatic events
• Emotional distress and/or physical reactions after exposure to traumatic reminders

Stress, anxiety, and other symptoms of PTSD

The DSM-5 also outlines various other symptoms that could lead to a PTSD diagnosis. Specific PTSD symptoms can include:

• Difficulty remembering key details of the traumatic event
• Blaming oneself or others for causing the trauma
• Overly negative thoughts about oneself or the world
• Decreased interest in activities once enjoyed
• Feelings of isolation
• Irritability and/or aggression
• Risky and/or destructive behavior
• Being overly vigilant
• Being easily startled
• Difficulty contentrating
• Sleep challenges

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy—also called trauma-focused therapy or trauma-informed therapy—can help individuals process trauma, learn coping skills to manage its ongoing impacts, and navigate the healing process. During trauma therapy sessions, a therapist can help a person who has experienced trauma better understand what they went through, identify triggers that can cause negative reactions, and work to decrease symptoms in response to those triggers.

How trauma therapy can support your mental health

Trauma therapy can help mitigate symptoms that could be negatively impacting your mental health, such as nightmares/flashbacks, intense emotions, and mood changes. It can also help you identify unhealthy coping mechanisms you may be using—such as avoidance or substance use—and transition into healthy, productive coping mechanisms instead. Combined with gaining a deeper understanding of your experiences and symptoms, these elements of trauma therapy can result in more positive mental health.

Evidence-based therapeutic methods for trauma

Psychotherapy—sometimes in tandem with medication—is considered a first-line treatment for trauma symptoms. Research suggests that there are various therapeutic approaches which can often be effective at treating PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms. As a client’s therapy journey progresses, they may engage with strategies from several different approaches. A professional might focus on cognitive reframing in one session, then anger management in another. Therapy may take on different formats, as well, allowing participants to attend with their partners, families, or other individuals. Some common therapeutic methods with sufficient evidence of the potential to improve trauma symptoms include the following.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a technique that uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements, auditory stimuli, or tactile stimuli—to engage both sides of the brain while processing memories or emotions. When focusing on a traumatic memory or trigger, bilateral stimulation may help you reprocess it in a healthy way and desensitize you to the emotions associated with it.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that can help you recognize cognitive distortions and negative thought patterns associated with trauma and shift them to healthier, more positive ones. Experts believe that this change in thought patterns can result in more positive emotions and behaviors going forward.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that typically involves evaluating traumatic memories and changing the thoughts and emotions you associate with them, thereby changing your current perceptions of the event and the world around you. Similar to TF-CBT, CPT can also involve identifying cognitive distortions and shifting them to be more realistic; however, CPT may spend more time focusing on the past than traditional CBT models.

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy generally involves gradually approaching traumatic memories and other triggers in order to decrease the intensity of your reactions toward them. In many cases, if you’ve experienced trauma, you may avoid anything that reminds you of the experience, potentially reinforcing the fear you associate with it. PE aims to mitigate that fear by slowly reintroducing you to those stimuli and showing you that they are not dangerous.

Additional evidence-based therapies that can help with trauma

In addition to the common therapeutic methods above, some individuals have found relief and healing through other types of therapy as well. Some additional forms of trauma therapy include:

• Creative therapies: can help individuals express their emotions and memories through art, music, dance, or other creative methods
• Somatic therapy: focuses on how trauma impacts the body and uses physical techniques, such as body awareness, acupressure, or breathwork, to relieve symptoms
• Narrative therapy: establishes a chronological narrative of one’s life, including traumatic events, in order to contextualize and reframe the story
• Trauma systems therapy: used primarily to treat children and adolescents by ensuring their physical and psychological safety, regulating their emotions, and teaching skills to process trauma in a healthy way
• Internal family systems: focuses on the different parts that make up a whole individual, acknowledging the pain different parts may be experiencing and treating them with compassion in order to heal

A credentialed therapist can help you determine which type or types of therapy may help you manage trauma-related symptoms and navigate the healing process.

Can these methods be implemented in online therapy?

Many of these therapeutic methods can be successfully practiced in an online environment. However, there can be some nuances, so it can be important to find a provider who is not only experienced in a specific type of therapy but also has previously administered it online. Your provider can help you determine which methods may be suitable for your needs, along with which will be most appropriate and effective in an online setting.

Trauma therapy in person vs. trauma therapy online: Canada

Although traditional in-person trauma therapy can be effective, there is a growing number of individuals who prefer to receive their treatment remotely. This can be due to therapist availability, convenience, affordability, or a specific trauma-related stipulation (such as driving being a trigger). The process for finding trauma therapy in person and online can differ.

Finding trauma therapy in person

When seeking in-person trauma therapy, your search will likely be limited to local providers. To find local providers experienced in trauma-informed therapy practices, you might consider asking your primary care provider or family doctor for a referral. Alternatively, you could search online or in local directories for therapists in the area. If you have a specific type of therapy you’d like to try, that could narrow down your options as well. Once you find a suitable provider, you can get in touch with them directly to see if they’re accepting new patients and schedule an appointment to determine if they’re a good fit for your needs if so.

Finding trauma therapy online: Canada

There are many online therapy services in Canada that can connect you with a trauma therapist virtually. Oftentimes, finding a provider this way can be simple. For instance, BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service and it’s 100% online, giving individuals in Canada a wide range of providers to choose from. After signing up and answering a few questions about your needs and preferences in a provider, many people can be matched with a BetterHelp therapist in as little as 48 hours, though it may sometimes take longer depending on factors like therapist availability. This can make it fast and easy to begin trauma therapy from the comfort of home.

Building a strong therapeutic relationship

The connection that develops between the therapist and client is known as the therapeutic relationship—and it can be crucial to the efficacy of psychotherapy. This relationship can be particularly important in trauma-informed therapy due to the sensitive nature of clients’ mental health challenges. Research suggests that a strong therapeutic alliance can contribute to positive outcomes in individuals with PTSD. 

As you work with your therapist, remember that honesty is key. Expressing your thoughts and feelings surrounding trauma can help you learn to cope with your symptoms. However, if you’re not ready to discuss certain topics, for any reason, let your therapist know. Being upfront and honest helps ensure that you can move forward with treatment in a healthy way. 

The recovery journey: What clients can expect

For clients in trauma therapy, the healing process can be both rewarding and intensive. If you’re working through a traumatic experience, remember that the journey toward recovery isn’t always linear. You may feel that you aren’t making progress or have taken a step backward at times. Try to remain patient and continue to reach out for support when necessary. 

If you feel that a certain approach isn’t working, speak with your therapist and find out whether there are alternative paths you can take. Try to also incorporate self-care practices into your daily life, such as regular exercise, a healthy nutritional plan, and a consistent sleep schedule. It can also be important for you to lean on loved ones as you navigate your healing journey. Clients’ families and friends are often vital sources of guidance, as well as emotional and practical support.

How can online therapy benefit trauma survivors?

Trauma survivors may prefer online therapy for various reasons. For instance, someone whose trauma stems from a car accident may have difficulty commuting to regular appointments. In that case, pursuing online therapy can be less intimidating and can make it more likely individuals will continue treatment.

Can online therapy help with anxiety and other post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms?

Research suggests that online therapy can often be effective for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. For example, one study suggests that PTSD severity and symptoms were significantly improved after internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Additionally, patients showed a greater reduction in depression and anxiety than those who did not receive treatment, with results sustaining for at least three months afterwards.