Whether you’ve experienced childhood abuse, relational wounds, complex trauma, or systemic violence, I am here to support you every step of the way.
My holistic approach to trauma recovery combines best practices like EMDR, parts work therapy, and anti-oppressive principles — meeting you exactly where you are.
I offer secure online counselling for trauma, as well as in-person sessions in Calgary. In your trauma counselling sessions, you’ll find a non-judgmental space where your experiences are validated, and your healing journey is fully supported. Your path to recovery is unique, and together, we’ll create a plan that respects your needs and empowers you to move forward.
It’s such an essential question because trauma shows up in many different ways. It’s not always linked to one big event like an accident or assault. More often, it’s a series of smaller, painful experiences that build up over time, or the result of being in harmful environments. Childhood abuse, toxic relationships, bullying, or ongoing stress like discrimination can all leave their mark.
The impact of trauma shapes how you feel, think, and relate to yourself and others. Often, it’s easier to recognize signs of trauma than to identify what caused it. Here are some common signs:
If these experiences sound familiar, trauma counselling can help you understand what’s happening and support your healing journey. While we can’t change what happened, we can transform how it affects us and find ways to integrate those experiences into a healthier, more empowered sense of self.
Healing from trauma goes beyond traditional talk therapy. It’s about reconnecting your body, mind, and emotions in a safe, holistic way. You don’t need to share your most painful stories right away — in fact, many clients find they don’t need to share all the details at all.
In our sessions, I utilize gentle yet highly effective methods such as EMDR, parts work, and somatic approaches, all carefully tailored to your unique goals and needs. This integrative approach is widely recognized as the best practice for working with complex and relational trauma.
What would it feel like to heal at your own pace, without pressure or rush?
Here’s an overview of how I facilitate trauma healing. But remember, your journey is unique, and if you choose to work with us, we’ll customize our approach to your personal goals.
This phase is dedicated to establishing real safety and stability in your life. You’ll develop practical skills such as boundary setting, emotional regulation, and body awareness. You might even notice yourself feeling calmer in stressful situations.
I draw from proven modalities including Polyvagal Theory, parts work therapy, somatic methods, structural dissociation theory, and DBT. Many people tell me they sleep better, handle emotions more easily, or enjoy relationships more fully after this phase. Together, these create a solid foundation that helps you feel grounded, empowered, and better equipped to face daily challenges.
Imagine feeling safer and more grounded in your life — what difference would that make for you?
Once safety and emotional regulation are established, you can begin to process painful memories gently. I frequently use EMDR and IFS-informed parts work in this stage. Like pruning a tree to encourage new growth, this phase helps you release what no longer serves you. It paves the way for profound transformation, inner wisdom, and deeper self-awareness. Clients often describe it as if the memories have lost their charge or faded into the far distance.
What would it feel like to wake up noticing that those painful memories no longer hold power over you?
The final phase centers on reconnecting with yourself, others, and the world. You’ll cultivate a fulfilling and sustainable life like a strong, healthy tree. You’ll feel more whole and confident in your relationships, boundaries, and pursuit of your goals and dreams.
While I deeply value my collaboration with my clients, many find that regular counselling is no longer needed at this stage. Instead, this can be the beginning of a new chapter — some choose to continue with coaching or other supports to focus on specific goals and keep growing in new ways.
These stages exist on a gentle continuum rather than a rigid pattern. It is natural to move between them throughout trauma recovery.
I offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and how trauma counselling can support you. Feel free to book your free session online whenever you’re ready.
Wondering if counselling for trauma is worth it?
It’s natural to feel unsure. Trauma can leave you feeling broken or stuck — but healing is possible, and you are definitely not broken.
Trauma counselling helps you take back control of your life. It’s about learning new ways to cope, feel safer, and move forward more confidently.
While each person’s trauma recovery journey is different, here are some real ways trauma counselling can make a difference:
Healing is a journey of rediscovery — reclaiming your inner strength and creating a life that feels safe, meaningful, and full of possibility.
Hi, I’m Natalie — a trauma counsellor with over 14 years of experience supporting people healing from trauma, complex trauma, and childhood abuse. My approach integrates best practices for trauma recovery, including EMDR, IFS-informed parts work, and Polyvagal Theory — always adapted to your unique needs. I believe healing should be safe, inclusive, and rooted in social justice, so I integrate anti-oppressive practices into my work. I also offer a flexible pricing scheme to make trauma counselling more accessible. I’m here to support you at your own pace and help you reconnect with your inner strength.
Curious to learn more about how I work or my story?
Absolutely. Not having a PTSD diagnosis doesn’t mean you haven’t experienced trauma. Trauma exists on a spectrum, and many painful experiences can have a big impact without fitting into a specific diagnosis. I don’t diagnose people—I work with your symptoms and experiences as they are, focusing on what you need to feel supported and move forward.
Trauma-focused counselling can support you through a wide range of difficult experiences—like bullying, workplace abuse, relationship violence, or adverse childhood experiences.
And if the term “trauma counselling” doesn’t quite feel right for you, that’s okay too. You’re always welcome to explore my trauma-informed counselling and coaching services, which offer support in a way that feels comfortable and tailored to your needs.
To help you determine the best fit, I also offer a free consultation. This allows you to get a sense of what might work best before making any commitments.
It’s totally normal to feel unsure about where to start. Choosing the right mental health support is a big decision. That’s why I offer a free consultation—so you can ask any questions, get a feel for how we work, and see if my approach feels like the right fit for you.
You can book your free session below whenever you’re ready. I’d love to connect with you and support you on your journey.
I work with young adults (18 and up), but my services are for adults only. If you’re looking for counselling for youth, Good Therapy is a great place to find a qualified counsellor who works with young people.
Lots of people find online trauma counselling really helpful—but really, it comes down to what feels best for you.
If you’re anywhere in the world, online sessions are super accessible. I use Jane.app, which is a secure platform, so you can feel good knowing your conversations stay private and safe.
If you’re in Calgary and prefer meeting face-to-face, I offer in-person sessions at the Grain Exchange Building downtown (815 1 St SW). Being in the same room can sometimes help create a clearer boundary between counselling and everyday life. Plus, it’s a quiet, private space where you can feel comfortable exploring and healing.
No matter what you choose, I’m here to support you in the way that works best.
That really depends on your insurance provider and where you live. If you’re in Canada and have insurance, it’s a good idea to check with your company to see if they’ll reimburse counselling sessions. I am happy to provide my professional designation to help with that.
Just a heads up—I don’t do direct billing, so you’d pay us first and then submit the receipt to your insurer for reimbursement.
If you don’t have insurance or you’re outside Canada, no worries! I offer flexible pricing to keep counselling as accessible as possible. You can find all the details on our pricing page.
It depends on your preferences and what you’ve experienced. If you’ve gone through a single-incident trauma, such as an accident, EMDR can be a very effective approach. It can also work well if you already feel stable in your nervous system and connected to your emotions.
If your traumatic experiences are more complex — for example, involving childhood abuse, relational trauma, or systemic violence — and you have symptoms such as dissociation, trauma counselling may be the better choice, as it offers more tools and flexibility.
You don’t have to decide on your own — we can discuss your needs and help you find the best approach. And since I offer both, you can always change at any time.
If this approach to trauma recovery resonates with you, I’d be honoured to get to know you.
I offer a free consultation so you can explore your options in a safe, supportive space. You can book through my secure online booking system or message me at nat@brighthorizontherapies.com—whatever works better for you.
