Trauma & PTSD Counselling in Surrey & Across BC
Trauma and PTSD therapy at Soothing Souls Counselling offers a gentle, structured sanctuary to process past distress without re-traumatization. Our approach emphasizes psychological safety, somatic pacing, and emotional stabilization, helping you re-establish a sense of agency and grounded security in your daily life.
Is This Support Right for You?
You might resonate with this counselling focus if you are navigating:
- Intrusive memories, sudden flashbacks, or disturbing nightmares related to a past event
- Living in constant hypervigilance, feeling easily startled, or feeling unable to fully let your guard down
- Feeling emotionally detached, shut down, or disconnected from your body and relationships
- Intense emotional or physical reactions triggered by specific sights, sounds, or relational cues
- Navigating childhood emotional neglect, relational betrayal, or intergenerational family trauma
- Feelings of persistent guilt, shame, or believing that you are permanently broken
A Safety-First Approach to Trauma Recovery
Trauma is not defined solely by what happened to you; it is also reflected in what happened inside you as a result of an overwhelming experience. When events exceed your capacity to process them in the moment, your mind and body may adapt by maintaining constant vigilance or by disconnecting into emotional numbness.
At Soothing Souls Counselling, our clinical work follows the established three-phase model of trauma recovery:
- Phase 1: Safety & Stabilization: Establishing emotional grounding, identifying triggers, establishing self-soothing practices, and ensuring you feel secure in your daily life.
- Phase 2: Remembering & Processing at Your Pace: Examining memories and meaning without feeling flooded, using gentle cognitive and narrative approaches.
- Phase 3: Reconnection & Growth: Re-investing in relationships, personal passions, and future aspirations with restored self-trust.
Grounding the Body in the Present Moment
Because traumatic memories often carry intense physical sensations, talk therapy alone may feel incomplete. We integrate somatic resourcing — noticing subtle bodily cues, using 5-4-3-2-1 sensory orienting, and practicing gentle breath pacing — to help your body recognize that you are physically safe in the present room, right now.
Fees, Extended Health & Direct Billing
Clinical sessions are $160. Most British Columbia extended health insurance plans cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).
We provide direct billing for participating extended health plans via TELUS eClaims and Provider Connect (e.g. Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife), as well as direct billing for eligible ICBC Enhanced Care claims. Official receipts containing Rimsha Qureshi's BCACC registration (#29320) are issued immediately following every session for seamless submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to recount every detail of my trauma in session?
No. Trauma-informed therapy does not require you to share explicit details of traumatic events before you feel ready. We prioritize emotional safety, stability, and coping resources first. You remain in complete control of the pacing and depth of what you choose to explore.
What therapeutic frameworks do you use for trauma recovery?
We utilize trauma-informed clinical practice, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) adapted for trauma, practical somatic grounding skills to help anchor your physical awareness in the present moment, and narrative techniques. Our goal is to expand your window of tolerance gently and sustainably.
How does trauma affect the nervous system?
When overwhelming events occur, the nervous system's innate survival mechanisms (fight, flight, or freeze) can remain on high alert long after the danger has passed. Counselling helps you understand these reactions as normal, protective responses and provides practical grounding skills to help your mind and body register current safety.
Is virtual trauma therapy safe and effective?
Yes. Conducting trauma therapy virtually from your own familiar, quiet environment often provides an added layer of comfort and autonomy. We establish clear grounding rituals at the beginning and end of each session to ensure you feel contained, supported, and grounded before logging off.
How do I know if I have PTSD or developmental trauma?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) typically involves acute shocks (such as collisions, violence, or medical crises), while developmental or complex trauma stems from prolonged relational stress, emotional neglect, or adverse childhood experiences. During our initial sessions, we explore your unique history to tailor our clinical focus appropriately.
Related Clinical Services
Individual experiences with counselling vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.