Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Port Coquitlam
A Clinical Definition of Trauma & PTSD
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing event, while PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing trauma. Both can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the world around you.
Read More: Healing Trauma and Regaining Control with EMDR
Symptoms of Trauma & PTSD
Emotional: Fear, anger, guilt, or emotional numbness.
Physical: Insomnia, hypervigilance, or being easily startled.
Cognitive: Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or difficulty concentrating.
Behavioural: Avoiding triggers or isolating yourself from others.
How Trauma & PTSD Can Show Up in Your Life
Trauma can affect every part of your life, including:
Struggling to trust others or form close relationships.
Feeling like you’re constantly “on edge” or waiting for the next crisis.
Avoiding places, people, or situations that remind you of the trauma.
Feeling disconnected from yourself or the world around you.
How Trauma Lives in Your Body (Not Just Your Mind)
Trauma reshapes your biology. When survival mode (fight/flight/freeze) gets locked “on,” even small stressors – a honking car on Mary Hill Bypass, a crowded grocery store at Port Coquitlam Centre – can trigger overwhelming reactions. You might experience:
Physical Signs:
Chronic pain or tension (clenched jaw, stiff shoulders) with no medical cause.
Hypervigilance – constantly scanning rooms for “danger,” leaving you exhausted.
Shutdown or dissociation – feeling “zoned out” or disconnected during conflict.
Emotional Signs:
Flashbacks or nightmares that make the past feel vivid and current.
Guilt or shame that clings despite knowing the trauma wasn’t your fault.
Feeling “broken” or “too damaged” to heal.
Behavioural Signs:
Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma (like skipping walks around Hyde Creek Trail if that’s where it happened).
Self-sabotage – pushing people away or numbing with substances to mute the pain.
Overreacting to minor stressors (a partner being late feels life-threatening).
Why “Just Talk About It” Isn’t Enough
Trauma memories aren’t stored like regular ones. They get trapped in the brain’s amygdala (the “alarm center”) and body, bypassing rational thought. This is why:
Talking about the event might retraumatize you, flooding your system.
You can’t “logic” your way out of triggers – your body reacts faster than your mind.
Coping strategies like avoidance or people-pleasing keep you stuck in survival mode.
EMDR and somatic therapy work differently. They help your nervous system complete the survival response frozen in time, so your body learns, “The threat is over. I’m safe now.”
Are You Ready to Move Past These Symptoms?
Healing from trauma is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. At Serenity Counselling, we provide a safe, supportive space to process your experiences and reclaim your life.
Ready to take the first step?—Book a free consultation.
Why “Just Talk About It” Isn’t Enough
Trauma memories aren’t stored like regular ones. They get trapped in the brain’s amygdala (the “alarm center”) and body, bypassing rational thought. This is why:
Talking about the event might retraumatize you, flooding your system.
You can’t “logic” your way out of triggers – your body reacts faster than your mind.
Coping strategies like avoidance or people-pleasing keep you stuck in survival mode.
EMDR and somatic therapy work differently. They help your nervous system complete the survival response frozen in time, so your body learns, “The threat is over. I’m safe now.”
Somatic Therapy: Healing the Body’s Memory
Trauma lives in your posture, breath, and nervous system. Somatic therapy helps you:
Track Sensations: Notice where fear, anger, or numbness show up physically (e.g., a racing heart, cold hands).
Release Stuck Survival Energy: Shaking, crying, or breathing techniques discharge trapped fight/flight energy.
Reclaim Safety: Use grounding tools (feeling your feet on the floor at Blakeburn Lagoons, orienting to the present) to calm your nervous system.
Together, EMDR and Somatic Work Help You:
Reduce flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional overwhelm.
Feel calm in your body during triggers (e.g., loud noises, conflict).
Rebuild trust in yourself and others.
Imagine…
Walking through your neighbourhood without scanning for threats.
Sleeping deeply, waking up rested instead of wired.
Setting boundaries with confidence, knowing your needs matter.
Feeling at home in your body – no more numbness, panic, or shame.
Read More: How EMDR Therapy Can Help Heal Trauma