Takeaway: Painful past experiences can continue to impact your life years after they happened. However, it is possible to heal these wounds and find relief from your symptoms. Trauma therapy in Toronto can help you process your experience. Our specialists are dedicated to creating a safe space where you feel heard and supported. Start the process today.
Toronto Trauma Therapists Ready for Hire
1. Dr. Marla McGregor, C.Psych & Co-Director
- Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychologist
- License number: 4925
- Teletherapy or in-person
- Providing trauma counselling since 2008
- Marla McGregor is a registered Psychologist who received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. She has also recently undergone extensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), an empirically validated and best practice approach for trauma and stress. She has extensive experience assessing and treating individuals who have been involved in a car accident and are struggling with issues such as chronic pain, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and other interpersonal problems.
2. Dr. Janine Cutler, C. Psych
- Clinical Psychologist
- License number: 4298
- Teletherapy or in-person
- Providing trauma counselling since 1994
- Janine Cutler received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Manitoba. She has worked in the mental health and criminal justice system, and in private practice settings. For the past 27 years she has specialized in the areas of clinical and forensic psychology. Dr. Cutler works with adults and provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy. She has expertise in conducting psychological, medical-legal, and psychological risk assessments.
3. Dr. Satinder Brar, C.Psych.
- Clinical Psychologist
- License number: 7540
- Teletherapy or in-person counselling
- Providing trauma counselling since 2022
- Satinder Brar completed her Master’s degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Illinois. She has been trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and incorporates aspects of emotion-focused and acceptance-based strategies into treatment. Additionally, she has an interest in helping clients work through complex trauma, including childhood sexual abuse using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD). Dr. Brar currently provides assessment and counselling services to adults.
4. Dr. Simrat Kaur Padda, C.Psych
- Clinical & Counselling Psychologist
- License number: 5943
- Teletherapy or in-person
- Providing trauma counselling since 2014
- Dr. Padda is a registered Psychologist who received her Master’s degree in Counselling from the University of Toronto, and her Doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine California. Dr. Padda is a certified perinatal mental health clinician, with a focus on prenatal/postnatal mental health, infertility, child loss and grief. Dr. Padda’s 12+ years of clinical experience and areas of interests also include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD stress, emergency / first responder services, chronic pain, relational issues, academic-related anxiety, and inter-generational conflict.
5. Julie Barasevic, MSW, RSW
- Registered Social Worker
- License number: 825053
- Teletherapy or in-person counselling
- Providing trauma counselling since 2015
- Julie Barasevic is a Registered Social Worker who received her Master’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) with a clinical focus. Julie has trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Trauma Therapy (EMDR), which has extensive research in successively supporting people with trauma and PTSD. Julie has trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Additionally, she is a Hypnotherapist and Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP) with over 10 years of experience.
Why choose The Therapy Centre for trauma therapy in Toronto
Finding a trauma informed therapist who you feel comfortable speaking to about very difficult, often personal, and emotionally draining subjects can feel like an immense task. Here are a few reasons you might want to work with a trauma specialist at The Therapy Centre:
- All of our clinicians offer both in-person and virtual sessions, allowing you to access mental health care in the way that makes you most comfortable
- We have offices located in Toronto, Oakville, and Hamilton
- Our large team of mental health practitioners includes psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, a psychometrist, and a registered dietitian who work together to provide you with a comprehensive care plan
- We offer neuropsychological testing that can assess for following issues:
- Cognitive impairments
- Dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease)
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Brain injury (Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury/ Acquired Brain Injury)
- Strokes
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioural problems
- Psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression)
- Chronic substance abuse (e.g., alcohol)
- Chronic illness (e.g., diabetes) or treatments (e.g., chemotherapy)
When The Therapy Centre might not be the best fit for you
It can be difficult to determine which mental health supports you may need after a traumatic event and which ones you are able to access. It is possible that our practice is not the right fit for you. Here are a few reasons that The Therapy Centre might not be the best fit for your needs:
- You are looking for free therapy
- You are located outside of Ontario
- You are experiencing complex mental health needs that may require specialized care
- You are actively in crisis: If your feel like your safety is at risk, please call 911 right away or go to your nearest emergency department.
FAQs about trauma counselling in Toronto
Is trauma therapy worth it?
Whether psychotherapy is worth it depends on an individual’s unique circumstances and needs. Trauma based therapy is particularly valuable for individuals who have experienced severe or complex traumas, such as childhood trauma, natural disaster, combat experiences, or sexual assault. These traumas can have long-lasting and pervasive effects, making therapy a valuable resource. If trauma symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or overall well-being, working with a mental health professional can help you regain control, provide coping strategies, and improve your quality of life.
There are times when therapy might not be right for your situation. Not everyone has a willingness to confront painful memories and difficult emotions. Being committed to the process and actively attending and participating in sessions are essential for positive outcomes. Additionally, financial constraints can be a significant barrier for some individuals. Clients may need to assess whether they have access to mental health services that is affordable or covered by insurance.
What type of counselling is best for trauma?
The best type of counseling for trauma depends on the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and the nature of the trauma. Several evidence-based approaches have been developed to address trauma effectively. Some of the most commonly used types of counseling for trauma are:
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This is a structured and evidence-based approach designed specifically for individuals, especially children and adolescents, who have experienced trauma. It focuses on addressing the thoughts, difficult emotions, and behaviours associated with trauma and helps individuals develop coping skills and process their traumatic experiences.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapeutic approach that involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. EMDR is effective for various types of trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT combines cognitive-behavioural techniques with mindfulness strategies to help individuals regulate emotions and improve their interpersonal skills. It can be helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma and struggle with emotional dysregulation.
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Mindfulness-based approaches, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), can help individuals manage trauma-related symptoms by increasing their awareness of thoughts and emotions without judgment.
- Emotion-focused therapy (EFT): Emotion-focused therapy is used to address a wide range of emotional and psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. EFT helps individuals develop strategies for regulating and managing their emotional responses.
How do I know if I need trauma therapy?
Deciding whether you need to speak to someone about your traumatic experience is a personal and sometimes challenging decision. However, there are some trauma affects and indicators that can help you assess whether psychotherapy may be beneficial for you:
- Vivid and distressing memories of the traumatic experience (flashbacks)
- Frequent sleep disturbances and nightmares related to the trauma
- Active avoidance of reminders of the traumatic experience, such as people, places, or situations
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached from others
- Heightened anxiety, fear, or panic attacks
- Depression, manifesting in persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Increased irritability and anger outbursts
- Increased substance use or abuse
- Strained relationships with family, friends, or intimate partners
- Significant disruption to your ability to work, go to school, or perform daily activities
- Engaging in self-harming behaviours
- Intrusive thoughts of self-harm or suicide (If your feel like your safety is at risk, please call 911 right away or go to your nearest emergency department)
Trauma counselling in Toronto can help you heal from past wounds.
If you find yourself suffering with the lingering effects of past trauma, we want you to know that you don’t have to face this healing journey alone. At The Therapy Centre, we are a full-service practice that works with children, teens, adults, seniors, couples and families to help address issues that could be holding you back from living your best life. We are comprised of dedicated clinicians with extensive training including psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and a dietitian.
If you’ve been experiencing distressing memories, persistent anxiety, feel disconnected or any of the myriad ways trauma can impact your life, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our compassionate and experienced trauma informed therapists are dedicated to helping you regain control, find relief, and rediscover a sense of peace.
Our offices are located across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, at 2525 Old Bronte Road in Oakville, 849 Upper Wentworth Street in Hamilton, and a NEW location in Toronto at 1849 Yonge St (Yonge and Davisville). We offer both in-person and Virtual Telehealth services including secure phone sessions and videoconferencing.
Reach out to our team today at (289) 291-0205 or info@thetherapycentre.ca.
