Trauma Therapy in Toronto and Online in Ontario

Denise Wallis (Registered Social Worker) and Natasha Saini (Registered Psychotherapist) offer psychotherapy in Toronto (Denise only) and online in Ontario to help individuals who are experiencing trauma symptoms. Both provide trauma informed therapy. Please note that therapy is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, feeling unsafe, or are unable to care for yourself, please seek immediate help by calling 911 or going to your nearest emergency department.

What is Trauma

Do you find yourself struggling with memories of difficult times?  Have you had difficulty managing emotions either becoming overly upset about something or find yourself feeling numb at times?  Are you struggling with your relationships and find it difficult to connect with others?  These difficulties can be signs that you have experienced a trauma. Some individuals who have experienced trauma can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD

Trauma is not only about what happened, but also how the brain and body respond to overwhelming or distressing experiences.  Two people can be in the same car accident and one person may struggle with getting into a car again and the other person could have no difficulties driving or being a passenger in a car.  Expecting that a trauma survivor will “get over it” is untrue and when left untreated trauma can leave an individual feeling feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected.

Signs You May Benefit from Therapy

Trauma can affect us soon after it occurs and a number of years later. Sometimes after we have experienced a trauma and we do not have the psychological capacity to process it so we go into survival mode. Then a number of years later something happens and it brings our trauma back to the surface. Other times our life may be peaceful and we are finally able to process the trauma. For others the trauma symptoms appear soon after the trauma has occurred.

Symptoms that may indicate you are coping with trauma

  • Unwanted memories about the distressing event

  • Disturbing dreams

  • Strong emotional and/or physical reactions to things that remind you of the distressing event

  • Avoiding things that remind you of the trauma

  • Negative beliefs about yourself, others and the world

  • Ongoing negative emotions

  • Feeling detached from family and friends

  • Feeling numb

  • Always being on guard

  • Self-destructive behaviour such as driving too fast, or drinking too much

  • Being easily startled

  • Trouble concentrating

How Therapy Can Help

Recovering from a trauma is possible. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for the individual to start working through their trauma so it is no longer overtaking their life. Trauma-informed therapies recognize how trauma affects the human brain and body and integrates this information into the treatment plan.  In therapy you will have the opportunity to learn about how trauma affects the brain, talk about what happened, and learn how to understand what triggers you and how to overcome those triggers as well as developing skills for managing your emotions. While many people find trauma therapy helpful, outcomes can vary depending on individual circumstances, and progress takes time.

Evidence-Based Practice

You may have heard the term evidence-based practice but what does that actually mean. The American Psychological Association defines evidence-based practice as “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences (https://www.apa.org/practice/resources/evidence).” It means that the treatment being used has been researched and shown to be effective. Below are a few organizations that have reviewed the research and have a list of evidence-based therapies that are effective in treatment trauma.

Next Steps

We offer psychotherapy in Toronto and online across Ontario, provided by licensed therapists trained in evidence-based trauma therapy such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Your therapist will explain the different approaches and you can determine what would be the best fit. Denise Wallis a Register Social Worker offers in person therapy in Toronto near Danforth and Chester as well as virtual therapy throughout Ontario. Natasha Saini a Registered Psychotherapist offers Virtual therapy throughout Ontario. Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs and see if therapy is a good fit. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1 to 2 business days. All services are confidential and provided in accordance with Ontario privacy and professional standards.

This page was clinically reviewed by Denise Wallis, RSW, and Natasha Saini, RP. Last updated: [April, 2026].