In Person in Nanaimo and Virtual Across British Columbia
Trauma
Trauma can result from experiences that feel overwhelming, threatening, or difficult to process. These experiences may be single events or patterns that unfold over time. Trauma counselling can be supportive when past experiences continue to affect the present.
At The Nest, we offer counselling that is steady, relational, and attentive to lived experience.
Counselling is offered in person in Nanaimo and virtually across British Columbia.
How trauma may show up
People seek counselling for trauma for many reasons, including:
Feeling on edge, shut down, or easily overwhelmed
Difficulty trusting or feeling safe in relationships
Intrusive memories or emotional responses
Avoidance of reminders or situations
Changes in mood, sleep, or concentration
A sense of being stuck or disconnected
Support that meets you where you are
Counselling offers space to slow down, reflect, and better understand what you’re carrying. Sessions are collaborative and move at a pace that respects your capacity and needs.
You don’t need to arrive with answers or a clear explanation. Many people begin counselling with a sense that something feels heavy or difficult to shift.
FAQs
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Trauma is classified as an event that exposed you to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This can include witnessing a traumatic event in person, learning that a traumatic event happened to a loved one, or repeated exposure to traumatic events via your occupation (for example, first responders).
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Big T trauma refers to major life altering events, often involving acute direct threats to safety such as natural disasters, assault, or accidents.
Little t trauma refers to highly distressing but not life-threatening events, often more chronic or prolonged in nature. Some examples include an emotionally abusive relationship, ongoing bullying, parental emotional neglect, extreme financial stress, or divorce.
It’s important to note that both types of trauma are valid and there is no hierarchy of experience, but rather a distinction in how trauma occurred. Both types condition your nervous system to remain on high alert, but may show up different symptomatically.
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There is strong empirical evidence to suggest that EMDR and Somatic Experiencing are very effective at treating trauma.