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Trauma & PTSD Counselling in Calgary

Compassionate support for making sense of painful experiences and building a life beyond survival
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When something painful or overwhelming happens, it can leave lasting echoes in the mind and body. You might find yourself on edge, distracted, or struggling in your relationships. At Monarch Psychology, we help you make sense of those experiences and gently begin to release their hold. Using specialized trauma-focused approaches, we create a space where your story can unfold at your pace, with care and understanding at every step. Healing is possible, and we’re here to walk beside you as you find your way back to safety, trust, and peace
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How to Get Started

Taking the first step can feel difficult, and support is here when you’re ready. You can book an appointment directly or reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your questions, get matched with a therapist, and feel confident about your next steps.

Lori Helfenbaum

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

Religious/spiritual trauma, oppression/discrimination, complex trauma, sexual abuse/violence, traumatic loss, narcissistic abuse, coming out trauma, coercive control, emotional abuse, bullying

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Peter Driftmier

Registered Social Worker (He/Him)

childhood abuse/neglect, attachment trauma, medical trauma, traumatic loss, MVAs, vicarious trauma, sexual abuse/violence, religious/spiritual trauma, gender/sexuality-based trauma, oppression

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Paige Ellis

Registered Social Worker (They/Them)

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Anna Robertshaw

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

childhood abuse/neglect, attachment trauma/separation, traumatic loss, emotional abuse, MVAs, complex trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse/violence, medical trauma, intimate partner abuse

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Natasha Thibodeau

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

childhood abuse/neglect, attachment trauma, complex trauma, developmental trauma, birth/reproductive trauma, intimate partner abuse, coercive control, vicarious trauma, emotional abuse

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Devany Paxman

Registered Psychologist (She/Her)

childhood abuse/neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse/violence, medical trauma, complex trauma, intimate partner abuse, attachment trauma, traumatic loss, MVAS, vicarious trauma, bullying

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Nicole Caines

Registered Psychologist (She/Her)

complex trauma, intimate partner abuse, medical trauma, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, emotional abuse, coming out trauma, acoa trauma, physical abuse, bullying, traumatic loss

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Monika Pakstas

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

childhood abuse/neglect, attachment trauma, complex trauma, intimate partner abuse, coercive control, emotional abuse, vicarious trauma, sexual abuse/assault/trafficking, war/conflict

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Why Choose Monarch Psychology for Trauma & PTSD in Calgary

  • Certified trauma therapists: Our clinicians have advanced training in trauma-focused therapies
  • Holistic & culturally informed: We acknowledge and respect the ways in which an individual’s culture may impact how trauma is experienced and how they respond to it, and we acknowledge systemic factors that contribute to trauma
  • Flexible formats: In-person sessions in Calgary or secure online therapy across Alberta
  • Continuum of care: The diversity of expertise on our team allows us to support comorbid issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use concerns, and relationship challenges
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What Are Trauma and PTSD?

  • Trauma: An emotional and physical response to a distressing or life-threatening event such as assault, accident or sudden loss, or to cumulative adversity over time. Common reactions include shock, avoidance, numbness, irritability and difficulty sleeping. For many people, these reactions subside within days or weeks.
  • PTSD: A mental health disorder diagnosed when specific trauma symptoms continue longer than one month and disrupt work, relationships or everyday activities. People with PTSD often re‑experience the event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoid reminders and feel constantly on guard.
  • Complex: A mental health condition that can result from chronic, long-term trauma, including childhood abuse, neglect or exposure to violence or substance misuse, prolonged intimate partner violence, or exposure to war and genocide. It includes all the symptoms of PTSD plus additional symptoms like difficulty with emotional regulation, a poor sense of self, chronic fear of abandonment, and significant problems maintaining relationships.
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Common Symptoms

People react differently to trauma. Common emotional and physical symptoms include shock, disbelief, anxiety, anger, guilt and shame, withdrawal from others, sadness, numbness, insomnia, nightmares, being easily startled and relationship difficulties.

Types of Trauma

  • Acute: Trauma: A single event such as an assault, car accident or natural disaster.
  • Chronic: Trauma: Ongoing stressors like child abuse, domestic violence or bullying.
  • Relational: Trauma: Repeated harm within a relationship, often involving betrayal by a caregiver or partner.
  • Developmental/Complex: Trauma: Early-life abuse or neglect that disrupts typical development.
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Difference Between Trauma and PTSD

Trauma is often an immediate response and may resolve with time; PTSD develops when symptoms persist longer than one month. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD and not everyone that experiences enduring effects from traumatic experiences fits PTSD diagnostic criteria. Factors such as previous trauma, genetics and social support influence who develops PTSD.

Evidence‑Based Treatment Methods

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing): Uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. Endorsed by major health organizations as a first‑line treatment for PTSD.
  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: A somatic therapy that helps to address the impacts of trauma that are stored in our bodies beyond the level of conscious awareness and that can be difficult to address with talk therapy alone. Benefits include improved emotional regulation and stress reduction. It may help when traditional talk therapy feels too triggering.
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Similar to EMDR, ART uses rapid eye movements to reprocess traumatic memories in order to reduce the impact that the memories have.
  • Trauma‑Focused CBT (TF‑CBT): Combines CBT principles with exposure to trauma memories. Recommended in clinical guidelines as a first‑line intervention.
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): A type of CBT that guides people to safely and gradually confront traumatic memories, feelings, and situations they have been avoiding, in order to reduce the fear response and diminish the power of traumatic memories.
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How Trauma Therapy Helps

Trauma counselling provides a safe space to reprocess and integrate traumatic memories, discharge fight‑or‑flight energy, learn to regulate emotions and rebuild trust and connection. Many people feel held back by the symptoms of their trauma; therapies that integrate new, positive experiences help update memories and reduce distress. At Monarch Psychology, we tailor the approach to your unique history and preferences.
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Common Questions About Trauma & PTSD Counselling

Is trauma counselling only for people with PTSD?
No. Trauma counselling helps people with a range of trauma-related responses, whether or not they meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. It focuses on reducing distress and supporting well-being.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) refers to ongoing symptoms that persist after a distressing event, such as intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and hypervigilance. Therapy helps manage these responses and improve quality of life.
Not unless you choose to. Trauma-informed therapy prioritizes safety and consent. Many effective approaches help reduce distress without prolonged, detailed recounting of traumatic events. In fact, talking about details may actually be triggering so your therapist may guide you away from this approach.
Yes. Evidence-informed therapies help reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact and, over time, reducing how trauma is held in the body and mind.
There is no set timeline; it varies by person. Some people benefit from focused, short-term work, while others engage in longer-term support. Healing from complex trauma typically requires longer term therapy. Your therapist will collaborate with you to explore your goals and pacing.
Many extended health benefit plans cover counselling provided by Registered Psychologists or Social Workers. Coverage varies by plan, and our team can provide receipts or direct billing when available.
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