Trauma-informed Counselling in Calgary and online
A safe foundation for your growth
If you want to overcome anxiety, break free from complicated relationship patterns, or a sense that something isn’t quite right, I am here to support you. Perhaps past experiences, whether recent or long ago, still influence how you move through the world today, even when you wish they wouldn’t.
Through trauma-informed counselling in Calgary and online, I create a safe, collaborative space where we can address whatever brings you to therapy—anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, or personal growth. This approach recognizes that many of us have experienced difficult things, and it ensures our work together feels safe, empowering, and respectful of your pace and choices.
When trauma-informed counselling can be helpful
A trauma-informed approach benefits anyone seeking counselling—it’s actually recognized as a best practice—but it’s especially valuable if you’ve noticed certain patterns or responses that feel bigger than the situation at hand.
Emotional overwhelm
Emotional overwhelm can show up as feeling easily triggered, having reactions that feel bigger than the situation, or struggling to regulate emotions. Anxiety may feel constant, or sadness or anger may linger without clear relief. Some people feel flooded by emotion, while others experience numbness or disconnection.
Relationship challenges
Relationships may feel exhausting, unsafe, or difficult to navigate. You might struggle with trust, notice repeating patterns of conflict, or feel constantly on edge around others. Boundaries can feel either too rigid or too loose, leaving you feeling isolated or depleted.
Disconnection from your body
Disconnection from the body can include chronic tension, pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, or mental fog. You may feel on autopilot, “checked out,” or not fully present in daily life. These experiences often develop as protective responses to overwhelm or stress.
Limiting life patterns
You may notice patterns such as self-sabotage, difficulty making decisions, or trouble trusting your own judgment. Past experiences can continue to influence present choices in ways that no longer feel helpful. This can create a sense of being stuck or held back without knowing why.
Navigating oppression and cultural challenges
Ongoing experiences of racism, discrimination, microaggressions, or marginalization can deeply affect emotional wellbeing. These are not isolated stressors, but repeated experiences that impact safety and nervous system regulation. The emotional responses that follow are understandable and valid.
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression may feel persistent, even when life appears stable on the surface. Symptoms can include constant worry, low mood, exhaustion, or loss of interest in things that once mattered. For many people, these experiences are connected to earlier life stress or trauma.
Trauma-informed counselling recognizes that these experiences are adaptive responses shaped by past and ongoing stress. Rather than focusing only on symptom management, this approach looks at how experiences have affected the nervous system, relationships, and sense of safety. Trauma-informed counselling Calgary offers a supportive space to understand these patterns and work toward greater regulation, connection, and wellbeing.
Benefits of trauma-informed counselling in Calgary
My trauma-informed counselling approach is designed to honor your autonomy, respect your pace, and build on your existing strengths. This creates a safe, supportive space where meaningful change can take place. While the specific outcomes depend on your goals, here are some benefits that clients commonly experience:
Reconnect with your inner wisdom
At its core, this approach helps you reconnect with your own inner wisdom and decision-making abilities. Many clients discover they already have more answers than they realized—they just needed a safe space to access and trust them. As we work together, you’ll develop genuine confidence in your ability to navigate life’s challenges, not because you’ll never face difficulties, but because you’ll know you can handle whatever comes your way.
Build self-trust and agency
The trauma-informed framework is particularly powerful for building self-trust and personal agency. Rather than feeling like life is happening to you, you’ll experience a growing sense of choice and control over your responses and decisions. This shift often extends far beyond our sessions, showing up as healthier boundaries in relationships, more authentic self-expression, and the courage to pursue what truly matters to you.
Create healthier relationships
As you develop stronger boundaries and deeper self-awareness, you’ll make healthier choices in your relationships. You’ll learn to communicate your needs more effectively, recognize patterns that don’t serve you, and build connections based on authenticity rather than survival. This includes navigating cultural conflicts with greater confidence and finding ways to honor both your heritage and your evolving identity.
Empowered living
If you’re navigating systemic oppression, discrimination, or cultural marginalization, this approach helps you build resilience without internalizing harmful messages. You’ll develop tools to manage the emotional toll of microaggressions and racism while maintaining your sense of self-worth. This isn’t about “getting over it”—it’s about finding empowerment and agency even within unjust systems, and making choices that honor your wellbeing and values.
Increase self-respect and self-compassion
This approach helps you develop a compassionate relationship with yourself. Instead of the inner criticism that may have become familiar, you’ll cultivate genuine self-acceptance and understanding. As you build self-compassion, you’ll also strengthen your self-respect—recognizing your inherent worth and treating yourself with the dignity you deserve. This foundation becomes the launching pad for all other positive changes in your life..
Trauma-informed counselling isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong” with you; it’s about creating the space where your natural resilience and wisdom can flourish. Our work together can help you feel more yourself, more grounded, and confident in your ability to shape the life you want.
If this resonates, I invite you to a free consultation to explore how I can support your journey.
Meet Natalie
Hi, I’m Natalie Jovanic, a Master Therapeutic Counsellor and Coach in Calgary with over 14 years of experience supporting people healing from adversity, trauma, complex trauma and loss. My approach integrates best practices for healing, including EMDR, IFS-informed parts work, and somatic approaches, 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 income-based pricing to make trauma-informed counselling in Calgary more accessible. I’m here to support you at your own pace and help you reconnect with your inner strength. Sessions are collaborative, evidence-based, and always rooted in safety, choice, and respect for your unique journey.
Specialized Counselling Services
I offer several evidence-based approaches tailored to support your unique healing process:
It’s your time to heal: Let’s begin
If this approach to trauma-informed counselling 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.