Therapy for Complex PTSD

Therapy for  complex PTSD by phone or video

Therapy for Complex PTSD

If you have complex post-traumatic stress disorder (or CPTSD), making the decision to see a therapist is not easy because you have to bring sensitive thoughts and emotions to the surface. It may be more difficult when the sessions don’t align with the idea of traditional in-person therapy you have in mind.

Although there are non-verbal cues that may be missed when you are not in the room with your therapist, virtual therapy is a great alternative that can still offer a meaningful and intimate experience for those dealing with CPTSD.

Here are some small things you can do to get the most out of the virtual therapy experience:

  • Use video instead of phone, if possible. A video call will most closely resemble in-person therapy and will allow your therapist to see your facial expressions
  • ‘Set the mood’ for therapy by having a beverage near you, putting your phone on silent, and maybe even lighting a candle. It can really help ease your nervous system!
  • Keep a familiar object around you that you can hold onto or fidget with.
  • Let your family members or roommates know that you are unavailable for the next hour or so. Maybe even leave a note on the door to remind them.
  • Once the virtual session is done, move to a different space. That may just mean going to a different room in your home. This will help to physically mark the end of your session and allow your mind to decompress.  

Most important for virtual therapy to be effective, you should have access to a safe and private space for you to meet with your therapist. If the space you’re in is the site where you experienced trauma, or if it is bringing up certain triggers for you, we encourage you to let your therapist know. They can help offer specific solutions and will work with you to ensure you feel comfortable.

Benefits of therapy & counselling for complex PTSD

Complex PTSD develops as a result of repeated trauma over an extended period of time. Treatment for this disorder must pay attention to its complexities, as the name suggests, and be able to identify and piece together the many underlying causes.

At Wellnest, we are focused on providing trauma-informed care. That means we consider how trauma may have impacted your life and we look out for symptoms of trauma. We provide care in a way that prioritizes accessibility and safety, rather than using methods that may retraumatize or trigger our clients.  

We will ensure you feel safe both physically and emotionally during your sessions, and we will work with you to set respectful and professional boundaries.

Trauma-informed care is meant to be collaborative, and we want to help you feel empowered as you work through your CPTSD. You will be an active participant in the therapy session as you take control and realize the power you have to make changes in your life.  

As with any mental health concern, CPTSD is best treated by addressing the root of the problem. This is why therapy is such an effective treatment for easing trauma symptoms.

Our therapists can help you figure out the ‘story’ of your CPTSD. When or how did it start? What triggers it? What maintains it? How does it impact the different areas in your life?

By getting a better understanding of your CPTSD, a therapist can help you determine and practice skills using the appropriate modality to manage your specific symptoms.

We aren’t here to provide bandaid solutions. Rather, we’re here to help provide you with a better understanding of the challenges you are experiencing and teach you how to manage them and prevent worsening symptoms in the future.

Keep in mind that therapy is a long-term treatment, especially for those with CPTSD. You are allowed to take your time to figure out what kind of support you need before, during, and after your sessions.

How it Works

To get started with therapy, we suggest these initial steps:

After your initial assessment, you will begin meeting with your therapist. Sessions are typically weekly or biweekly, however depending on each client and needs, the frequency can change over time.

At Wellnest, our therapists offer several therapeutic models, including:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • Mindfulness-based therapies

  • Trauma informed care

  • Somatic therapy

Therapy is not a one size fits all treatment, so it will look and feel different to each client.

Your treatment can be adjusted as you progress through your sessions and learn what does or doesn’t work for you. If a modality or approach doesn’t feel right, it’s important to communicate with your therapist so you can learn how to work on it together.  

Remember, therapy doesn’t always feel good, especially when you’re first starting out. During therapy, you may be unpacking some deep-seeded memories and emotions that haven’t been addressed for a long time, if ever. This can make you feel tired or a bit depleted once you’re done with the session. Self care after therapy is important, and we’re here to help with that too.

Keep in mind that therapy is a long-term treatment, and you are allowed to take your time to figure out what kind of support you need before, during, and after your sessions.

Why choose Wellnest for anxiety therapy?

We believe that your complexities should be taken into consideration during therapy. A great way to do this is to have therapists that reflect your unique identity and can relate to the factors that have impacted your mental health.

Over the past few years, we have put together a racially diverse team of over 40 mental health professionals who can deliver a range of services that are anti-oppressive, anti-racist, feminist, trauma-informed, and LGBTQ+ aligned.


Languages

Our therapists are also able to provide support that is religiously, culturally, and linguistically appropriate. In fact, we offer services in English and 15 other languages:

  • Arabic
  • Armenian
  • Bengali
  • Farsi
  • French
  • Hindi
  • Kutchi
  • Mandarin
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Somali
  • Sindhi
  • Sinhalese
  • Tamil
  • Turkish
  • Urdu

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have a clear problem I’m hoping to solve?
How do I find a therapist that’s right for me?
How long do I need to see a therapist?
When should I see a therapist?

If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ page.
You can also reach out to us at info@wellnest.ca or call/text us at 437-333-WELL(9355).

Get started with Wellnest today

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With great respect, we acknowledge the past, present and future Indigenous peoples as the original inhabitants and traditional guardians of this land that we call Canada and what is now North America. We acknowledge the devastating impact of colonisation on Indigenous communities, cultures, languages and homelands. We acknowledge our responsibility as settlers and newcomers to this country for reconciliation and allyship of support for Indigenous rights to be restored and commit ourselves to the journey of healing. Today, we honour the more than 630 First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
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