Hey there, brave soul!
So the past few years.... um, yeah.... that happened.
People don't seem the same, fuses are shorter, tears are easier to spill, and we've all been through more than we give ourselves credit for.
Trauma can come in many shapes and sizes.
A worldwide pandemic counts.
But so does witnessing something scary where someone you cared about was maybe not gonna make it, or maybe, didn't. So does having a serious injury where you really suffered, or perceiving that you were about to. So does someone doing something to you that you did not consent to. (and yep, we believe you)
So does working in emergency services, whether it be in a patrol vehicle, an ambulance, a prison, in the OR, or in the ER.
If you've been through the wringer and need a helping hand, you've come to the right place. At Limestone Clinic, we're all about supporting you through the ups and downs, helping you find your footing, and reclaiming your power with a dash of humour and a whole lot of heart.
Limestone Clinic's core staff and Clinical Associates have extensive experience working with individuals who haven't recovered from their trauma(s)... yet.
Let's dive deeper into the world of trauma, shall we? Trauma isn't just about big, dramatic events – it's about how those events impact us on a deep emotional level. It's the car accident that left you shaken to your core, the loss that shattered your heart, or the abuse that stole your sense of safety and ability to connect with others.
But here's the thing: Not every tough moment leaves you feeling traumatized. It's all about how you process and cope with it. It's about the meaning of what happened to you. That's where our team of experts comes in. We're here to help you make sense of the chaos, find healing in the madness, give you an opportunity to release the stuff you didn't know what to do with, and reclaim your power in the face of adversity.
Different people feel things differently.
Trauma therapy is like your trusty compass in the storm – it guides you through the darkness and helps you find your way back to the light. Whether it's Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or good old-fashioned talk therapy, we've got the tools to help you heal and thrive.
YES! Psychotherapy stands as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with the debilitating effects of trauma non-recovery. Talk therapy interventions hold profound transformative power, offering a path towards healing and reclaiming life after trauma. At its core, psychotherapy provides a supportive environment for individuals to understand the interplay of their experiences, the meanings they ascribed to their experiences, their emotions, and thoughts about what happened to them in depth. Through evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, and Psychodynamic Therapy, your treatment provider will guide you in deepening your self-compassion and insight, processing traumatic memories, and restructuring maladaptive beliefs that you needed to get by in those harder times. Trauma psychotherapy equips individuals with a diverse array of coping skills and strategies to manage PTSD symptoms effectively. From relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices to assertiveness training and stress management, therapists collaborate with clients to cultivate resilience and enhance emotional regulation. But, importantly, psychotherapy extends beyond symptom reduction, fostering holistic healing on emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal levels. Therapeutic relationships serve as a cornerstone of this healing, providing individuals with validation, empathy, and support as they navigate their journey towards recovery
- Oh, I dunno... living through a worldwide pandemic? - Combat exposure: Trauma experienced during military combat, including witnessing or participating in violent events. - Physical assault: Surviving a violent attack, such as robbery, mugging, or domestic violence. - Sexual assault: Enduring any form of unwanted sexual contact or violence. - Childhood abuse: Experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during childhood. - Natural disasters: Surviving events such as earthquakes, tornados or derechos, floods, or wildfires. - Serious accidents: Involvement in car crashes, industrial accidents, or other life-threatening incidents. - Medical trauma: Traumatic experiences during medical procedures, surgeries, or serious illnesses. - Terrorist attacks: Witnessing or being directly affected by acts of terrorism. - Witnessing violence: Observing violence, including shootings, stabbings, or physical assaults. - Military sexual trauma (MST): Experiencing sexual assault or harassment while serving in the military. - Loss of a loved one: Sudden or traumatic death of a family member or close friend. - Kidnapping or hostage situations: Being held against one's will or fearing for one's safety during abduction. - Torture: Enduring physical or psychological torture, often in captivity or imprisonment. - Intimate partner violence: Experiencing abuse or violence from a romantic partner or spouse. - Community violence: Living in neighborhoods with high rates of crime or witnessing violence in the community. - Bullying: Persistent harassment, intimidation, or abuse from peers or authority figures. - Refugee or war trauma: Fleeing war-torn regions or experiencing displacement due to conflict. - Occupational trauma: Traumatic events occurring in the workplace, such as accidents or violence. - Hazing: Enduring physical or psychological abuse as part of initiation rituals or group activities. - Cult involvement: Experiencing manipulation, coercion, or abuse within a cult or extremist group. - Human trafficking: Being coerced, exploited, or trafficked for labor, sex, or other purposes. - Accidental injury: Suffering severe injuries or disabilities due to accidents or mishaps. - Animal attacks: Surviving encounters with frightening, aggressive or dangerous animals (only you get to determine what is frightening or scary - no judgement). - Racial or hate crimes: Being targeted or victimized based on race, ethnicity, religion, or identity. - Fire-related trauma: Surviving fires, explosions, or other incidents involving fire hazards.
You book a free consultation or a full-length first appointment with us by sending us a message or phoning our office (613-877-4148)! Once you and your therapist decide to work together, you and your therapist will get really curious about all the things that are going on that are related to your depression problems. You and your therapist will examine your past, including any traumatic experiences, to identify any connections that may be relevant to your current condition. Together, you and your therapist will develop a level of trust that will allow you to share all the aspects of your inner thoughts and feelings that are relevant to your therapy. You will investigate how the events in your life, your thought patterns, and your current circumstances are contributing to your depression. You will develop techniques that are unique to the way YOU think and react, to reduce the triggers that cause intense emotions. You will do this without losing your individuality or sense of self. Trauma can sometimes be a bit more "sticky" and take a bit longer to shift relative to other problems like depression or anxiety. You will probably start feeling better after a period of putting in the work. It takes about 8-12 sessions before you start to really notice changes happening, and the next 8-12 sessions are even more transformative. Of course, this happens only, IF you're being honest and transparent with your therapist. If not, it'll take longer and be a little less satisfying in terms of seeing results.
Are you committed to making a change in your emotional life and your relationships? Are you willing to trust a helping professional, share even the tricky parts of your experiences, in the interest of diving head-first into feeling better? Are you willing to invest in yourself financially and do you have the funds to give this a fair shake (think 8 sessions to begin to feel different, 16 sessions to really begin to nail the depression coffin shut)? Will you honestly give yourself the time you need to turn around a challenging problem and hang in through the challenging parts at the beginning? For most people seeking help for depression, you can expect that a fair shake at psychotherapy would be 6-8 sessions before you can expect to see a noticeable difference. Realistically, only you can decide if this is right for you. Don't come because your mother wants you to come. Come because you are certain you're reading to take action now, to make your life different. If you're not sure, an option is to book a free 15-minute consultation to get a "feel" for the therapist of your choosing? Here is a simple infographic on how this all works.
If you're not sure, an option is to book a free 15-minute consultation to get a "feel" for the therapist of your choosing?
This information is meant to be helpful, but not diagnostic. If you think you have a problem with your emotional balance, that is enough to justify giving yourself a boost with knowledgeable, professional support. You get to decide if you are ready to take some action to improve your emotional life, and you do not have to have a diagnosis or a doctor's approval to get started in counselling. You just gotta want to change.
But, if I can make an observation? You're all the way down this webpage reading about Trauma, yeah? That's enough of a sign that something important is going on. We encourage you to take the action needed to get the life you want (or to get it back, even better). You can start now and get support.
You're not alone on this journey. With the support of our compassionate team at Limestone Clinic, you'll have the tools, resources, and hope-filled therapy sessions you need to reclaim your power and rewrite your story. So go ahead, take that first step – your brighter tomorrow awaits.
A non-recovery issue stemming from trauma qualifies as a diagnosable condition or "disorder" upon meeting specific criteria outlined by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
When trauma-related challenges persist and impede your ability to fulfill your life roles consistently, it may escalate from a non-recovery syndrome to a "disorder." This isn't merely a rough patch; it's when socializing, working, studying, or managing daily tasks becomes consistently difficult.
Adult Psychotherapy & Counselling (Kingston, Ontario)
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We Offer Therapy for those 18+ Only
We are located in Kingston, Ontario, but also offer convenient online therapy services to all of Ontario, which means that we often have clients see us from the Toronto/GTA, Ottawa, London, Sarnia, Niagara, Peterborough, Muskoka, Belleville, Napanee, Amherstview, Kingston, Wolfe Island, Gananoque, Sydenham, Glenburnie, Inverary, Rockport, Thousand Islands, and Brockville regions.
