Christina Janiga Psychotherapy - Blog
This blog is not a substitute for therapy, but provides evidence-based education for the purposes of self-help and information
Trauma Counselling in Ontario: How Healing Starts from Within
Trauma can silently shape how we live, relate, and see ourselves. Whether it stems from a single overwhelming event or years of compounded stress, its effects can feel far-reaching and difficult to name. If you’re carrying the weight of unresolved trauma, therapy offers a space to gently process, heal, and rebuild. Whether you’re located in Burlington or elsewhere in the province, trauma counselling in Ontario can help you take meaningful steps forward.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is your mind and body’s response to something deeply distressing that left you feeling unsafe or powerless. These experiences—whether sudden or ongoing—can affect how you think, feel, and connect with others long after the event has passed.
Types of Trauma
- Acute Trauma: From a one-time event like an accident or natural disaster
- Chronic Trauma: Ongoing exposure to harmful situations like past or current abuse or childhood neglect
- Complex Trauma: Repeated traumatic experiences, often in early childhood relationships and/or in current close relationships
- Vicarious Trauma: Emotional strain from supporting others through trauma (common among caregivers, health professionals, and first responders)
How Trauma Affects You.
Trauma disrupts the brain and nervous system. It touches every part of us—mind, body, and emotions. It can leave your nervous system stuck in survival mode, with your brain’s alarm system constantly on high alert. That sense of safety or calm? It can feel out of reach. You might find yourself feeling reactive, foggy, or disconnected, as your thinking brain takes a backseat to the overwhelm. Over time, trauma symptoms may show up as:
- Anxiety or perfectionism
- Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
- Emotional numbness or chronic shame
- Physical issues like fatigue, tension, or illness
Why Therapy Is So Important
Unresolved trauma rarely heals on its own. Without support, its ripple effects can impact relationships, self-esteem, and daily life. Trauma counselling in Ontario provides a safe, structured space to unpack these experiences and rewire the body’s stress response.
Healing Approaches for Trauma that go Beyond Talk Therapy
In our Burlington, Ontario-based practice, our team of psychotherapists focus on providing trauma-informed, mind-body therapies that access healing on a deeper brain-based level both in person and virtually across Ontario. The modalities we primarily use to help support individuals in their healing journey from trauma include (but not limited to):
1. EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tapping) to help the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional charge.
Best for: PTSD symptoms, flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety symptoms, and intrusive thoughts.
2. Brainspotting Brainspotting targets the part of the brain where trauma is stored by using eye position and focused mindfulness. This allows for emotional release and healing that goes beyond words.
Best for: Emotional overwhelm, nervous system dysregulation, stored trauma.
3. Internal Family Systems (IFS) IFS explores different “parts” of the self—protective, exiled, critical—and helps bring understanding and healing to each. It fosters self-compassion and integration.
Best for: Inner conflict, shame, trauma from early relationships.
4. Flash Technique/4Blinks The Flash technique utilizes memory reconsolidation to decrease the distress from traumatic experiences without having to talk or think about the trauma.
Best for: Complex trauma, difficulty with severe overwhelm symptoms, emotion dysregulation and difficulty with maintaining a window of tolerance.
The Impact of Trauma Therapy in Burlington and virtually across Ontario.
Through trauma counselling in Ontario, you can:
- Process stuck emotions without becoming overwhelmed
- Calm your nervous system and feel safe in your body again
- Shift survival-based patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance
- Rebuild self-trust and healthier relationships
Support for Yourself or a Loved One If you’re healing from trauma:
- Try grounding exercises (deep breathing, naming objects in the room)
- Engage in movement (walking, stretching, yoga)
- Speak kindly to yourself (self compassion) —it takes courage to heal
If you’re supporting someone through trauma:
- Listen without judgment
- Learn about trauma to better understand their experience
- Gently encourage therapy as a safe and supportive step
You Deserve to Heal
Trauma may be part of your story—but it doesn’t have to define your future. Whether you’re in Burlington, Ontario or anywhere else in Ontario, we’re here to support your healing journey. Our team of trauma-informed psychotherapists utilize brain-based modalities such as EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, and Flash technique to help you heal from trauma. We offer both in person and virtual services.
In-person therapy available at our Burlington, Ontario office.
Virtual trauma counselling available across Ontario through our secure video platform.
Sliding scale sessions or Reduced Rate Psychotherapy Services are available through our internship program. Our interns are trained in the Flash-like approach called 4 Blinks during their first week of Orientation. In addition, some come to our practice already with substantial training in trauma focused modalities such as EMDR Therapy, Brainspotting, and IFS.
Take the first step toward feeling safe, connected, and empowered.
Book a free 15 minuted consultation call.
If you are interested in seeking trauma counselling in Ontario to help you heal from trauma, we encourage you to reach out to us for a free 15-minute consultation. During the consultation, we will answer any questions you have about our practice and our psychotherapists, and help you determine if we are the right fit for you. We believe that feeling comfortable with your therapist is essential for a successful therapeutic relationship.
About The Author
Christina Janiga, BSc, MACP, RP is a registered psychotherapist providing in person and virtual psychotherapy and therapy intensives in Burlington, ON and across Ontario. She is a Certified EMDR therapist and a EMDR Consultant. She is trained in multiple modalities of trauma-focused healing to best support individuals who are looking to feel better faster.