Our approach

Trauma can create changes in the brain and nervous system, including hyperactivation of the amygdala (the brain’s threat detector), reduced regulation from the prefrontal cortex (the area that helps manage emotions, make decisions, and inhibit fear responses), and dysregulation of the HPA axis (stress hormone system), which can lead to hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm, and a difficulty feeling safe.

Our clinicians are Master’s-level Registered Social Workers and Registered Clinical Counsellors who provide neuroscience-informed psychotherapy using a bottom-up approach, which means we start by helping the body and nervous system regulate before addressing thoughts and memories. This approach is particularly effective for clients with PTSD, CPTSD, and trauma-related nervous system changes, because brains altered by trauma process cognitive interventions more safely and effectively once physiological regulation is restored.

We use modalities such as Somatic Experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to identify and resolve patterns of physiological dysregulation caused by traumatic experiences. Drawing on the work of biophysicist and psychologist Dr. Peter Levine (UC Berkeley), our focus is on supporting the nervous system in restoring regulation and safety.