Trauma & PTSD Therapy

When the Past Won’t Stay in the Past

Trauma and PTSD / PTSI —historically referred to as “shell shock”—affect far more than just soldiers. Anyone who has experienced abuse, violence, accidents, or other deeply distressing events may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI). While “disorder” is a commonly used clinical term, many prefer “injury” to reflect the psychological wound caused by trauma—something that, like a physical injury, can heal with proper care and support.

Trauma Wears Many Faces

Some trauma comes from a single overwhelming event—an accident, an assault, a sudden loss. Much of it does not. Relational trauma—growing up with neglect, abuse, or chronic instability—leaves quieter but equally real wounds, often surfacing years later as anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or a persistent sense of being “not enough.” First responders and others whose work exposes them to repeated critical incidents carry their own cumulative form of it. Whatever shape trauma has taken in your life, it belongs here.

PTSD & PTSI Symptoms

Symptoms of PTSD and PTSI generally fall into four main categories:

• Intrusion: Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, and intense emotional distress when reminded of the trauma.
• Avoidance: Steering clear of trauma-related thoughts, feelings, places, people, or conversations.
• Mood & Cognition Changes: Difficulty remembering aspects of the trauma, negative self-beliefs, emotional numbness, loss of interest in activities, and withdrawal from others.
• Arousal & Reactivity: Hypervigilance, irritability, sleep disturbances, self-destructive behaviour, difficulty concentrating, and exaggerated startle response.

You do not need to tick every box for your suffering to be legitimate—and you do not need a formal diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy.

Effective Treatments for Trauma, PTSD, and PTSI

Healing from trauma is possible. At Vista Counselling, our trauma work centres on two specialized, evidence-based tools, supported by broader therapeutic approaches:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact—without requiring you to retell your story in detail.
• NeurOptimal Neurofeedback: A brain-training technique that enhances self-regulation and calms the nervous system, helping with hypervigilance, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe the negative thought patterns trauma leaves behind and build healthier coping strategies.
• Mindfulness-Based Practices: Support grounding, present-moment awareness, and emotional regulation when the past intrudes on the present.

Experiential therapies such as AEDP and Internal Family Systems (IFS) also inform how we work with the emotions and protective patterns that grow around old wounds. As with everything we do, the approach is tailored—no two people, and no two traumas, are alike.

Your Path to Healing

Trauma therapy at Vista moves at the speed of safety. We begin by building stability and trust—you will never be pushed to go where you are not ready to go. From that foundation, we process what needs processing and help you reconnect with yourself and the people who matter to you. Recovery from PTSD or PTSI doesn’t mean forgetting the trauma—it means the memory stops running your nervous system, so you can live with peace and purpose beyond it.

Dr. Kevin Klassen, PsyD, RCC, RMFT, has specialized in trauma work across more than 20,000 clinical hours since 2009 and is a Registered Provider with BC’s Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)—if your trauma stems from a crime, CVAP-funded counselling may be available to you. Roshni Vedamanikam, MA, MSW, RCC, brings two decades of experience, including many years supporting women and children affected by family violence and complex trauma.

Trauma Therapy FAQs

Do I have to talk about what happened?

Not in detail, and not before you are ready. Approaches like EMDR are designed to work without extensive retelling, and the pace is always yours.

How long does trauma therapy take?

Single-incident trauma often responds relatively quickly; complex or childhood trauma is longer work. Healing takes the time it takes—and it doesn’t have to take forever. We will be honest with you about what we see.

Is trauma counselling covered by insurance or CVAP?

Many extended health plans reimburse Registered Clinical Counsellors—check whether your plan covers RCCs or RMFTs. If you have been the victim of a crime in BC, the Crime Victim Assistance Program may fund counselling with Dr. Klassen as a registered CVAP provider. Fees and policies are on our FAQ page.

Trauma Support in Langley

We provide trauma and PTSD therapy in Langley, BC from our Willoughby office, with free on-site parking and easy access from Highway 1—serving Walnut Grove, Brookswood, Murrayville, Surrey, Cloverdale, Aldergrove, and the wider Fraser Valley, in person and online across BC. Directions are on our location page.

Taking the Next Step

Reaching out is often the hardest step—trauma teaches people to manage alone. You don’t have to. Contact us with your questions or book an appointment; we respond within 1–2 business days.