Trauma Assessment in Edmonton, AB

What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological difficulties that arise from encountering a distressing event. It is not the event itself but the profound impact it has on an individual’s well-being that defines trauma. What feels deeply traumatic for one person might not affect another in the same way, underscoring the deeply personal nature of these experiences. Recognizing that any experience can be traumatizing highlights the critical need for compassion and empathy when supporting those affected. By creating a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences, offering professional support, and fostering a supportive community, we can empower those impacted by trauma to embark on their journey toward healing and reclaiming their well-being.

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Trauma Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of trauma can stem from various experiences, including a recent, single traumatic event such as a car crash or violent assault. Trauma can also result from a single event that occurred in the past, such as sexual assault, the death of a spouse or child, an accident, or surviving a natural disaster or war. Additionally, trauma may develop from a long-term, chronic pattern of distress, such as ongoing childhood neglect, or sexual or physical abuse.

Simple vs. Complex PTSD: Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Simple PTSD is more commonly associated with experiencing a single traumatic event. In contrast, complex PTSD often results from long-term, chronic trauma and can significantly impact a person’s ability to form healthy, trusting relationships. When complex trauma occurs in children, it is often referred to as “developmental trauma.”

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Experiences that Can Cause Trauma

Trauma can arise from a wide range of experiences, highlighting the diverse and deeply personal nature of its impact. These include:

  • Violence and Abuse: Experiencing or witnessing violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, community violence, sex trafficking.
  • Loss and Separation: Divorce or separation, the loss of a loved one, adoption.
  • Major Life Events: Natural disasters, motor vehicle accidents, medical procedures, giving birth, war, terrorism.
  • Chronic or Systemic Issues: Adverse childhood experiences (e.g., abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence), racism, oppression, and systemic inequities.
  • Other Distressing Events: Bullying, witnessing pain and suffering
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Different Types of Trauma

Trauma can manifest in various forms, depending on the nature and circumstances of the distressing experiences. These include:

  • Developmental and Relational Trauma: Childhood trauma, complex trauma, relational trauma, and intergenerational trauma.
  • Identity and Systemic Trauma: Identity-based trauma, race-based trauma, and oppression-related trauma.
  • Abuse and Violence: Sexual, psychological, emotional, financial abuse, domestic violence trauma.
  • Loss and Grief: Traumatic grief and loss-related trauma.
  • Environmental and Displacement Trauma: Refugee trauma, natural disaster trauma, and war-related trauma.
  • Health and Reproductive Trauma: Medical trauma, birth trauma, reproductive and postpartum trauma.
  • Professional and Secondary Trauma: Vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue.
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Health Issues Associated with Trauma

Trauma can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being, potentially leading to various health challenges, including:

  • Attachment and Relationship Difficulties: Struggles with forming secure attachments and maintaining healthy relationships.
  • Mental Health Concerns: Psychosis, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation.
  • Behavioural Challenges: Increased likelihood of substance use or abuse and difficulty managing anger.
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Our Approach to Trauma Care: Diagnosis and Treatment

We offer comprehensive support for individuals experiencing trauma through specialized assessments and evidence-based treatments:

  • Specialized Assessments: Our trauma specialist, Sian Roberts, has developed a Psychotraumatological Assessment process to formally identify and diagnose trauma when present. Informal assessments are also available to provide insights into symptoms and levels of distress.
  • Evidence-Based Treatments: We provide a range of proven psychological therapies for trauma, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy) for Trauma, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Advance Trauma specialist

Sian

Sian Roberts

Trauma Specialist

Our Lead Trauma Specialist

Sian Roberts
South & West Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $275/hour

Our Trauma Specialists

Dr. Amanda Stillar
South & West Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Dr. Thea Comeau
West Office
Registered Psychologist
Current Clients Only
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Dr. Jasmine Nathoo
South Office
Registered Psychologist
Current Clients Only
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Ruchelle Mendes
South Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Nasim Switzer
South Office
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Currently on Maternity Leave
Online
Rate: $170+GST/hour
Jessica Johansson
South & West Office
Registered Psychologist
Currently on Maternity Leave
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Virginia Dowdell
South Office
Registered Psychologist
Current Clients Only
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Nadia Keyes
West Office
Registered Psychologist
Current Clients Only
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Heather Sinclair
West Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Nadia Keyes
West Office
Registered Psychologist
Current Clients Only
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Dr. Amanda Stillar
South & West Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour
Dr. Amanda Stillar
South & West Office
Registered Psychologist
Accepting New Clients
Online or In-Person
Rate: $235/hour