Trauma & PTSD Therapy in Calgary

Trauma and PTSD Therapy Calgary – Understanding Trauma & Recovery

If you are struggling after a distressing event, you are not alone. At Clear Minds Psychology, we provide trauma and PTSD therapy in Calgary to help you process painful experiences and restore balance. Using evidence-based treatments, we address both the emotional and physical impact of trauma so you can move forward with greater resilience.

Trauma is not what happens to us, it’s what happens inside us”
— Dr. Gabor Maté

What are traumatic events?

Traumatic events can be anything that cause you physical, emotional, or psychological harm and may lead to PTSD. They overwhelm your ability to cope and can deeply affect your sense of safety. Some common examples include:

  • Serious accidents
  • Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
  • Complex childhood abuse
  • Natural disasters
  • War or combat exposure
  • Witnessing or experiencing violence or a sudden loss
  • Medical illnesses or difficult surgery experiences

Because everyone responds to trauma differently, some people recover quickly, while others need specialised trauma-focused therapy in Calgary to heal.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing an extremely stressful or terrifying event. Certain factors can increase the risk, including:

  • Experiencing multiple or severe traumas
  • Being injured during the event
  • Having a high-risk job, such as military service or first response work
  • Family history of anxiety or depression
  • Limited social or emotional support

How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body

When you experience trauma, it may feel so overwhelming that your brain struggles to process it normally. The memory can become ‘frozen’ with all the original emotions, beliefs, body sensations, and even related smells, sounds, and tastes.

When triggered, these memories can cause intense emotional and physical reactions, often described as flashbacks. You may feel as though you are reliving the event in real time. If symptoms last for more than one month and significantly interfere with work, relationships, or daily life, you may be experiencing PTSD.

Common PTSD Symptoms

PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories:

1.  Intrusive Memories

  • Recurring, distressing memories of the traumatic event
  • Flashbacks that feel like reliving the trauma
  • Nightmares or upsetting dreams related to the event
  • Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma

2.  Avoidance

  • Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or conversations about the trauma
  • Staying away from places, activities, or people that remind you of it

3.  Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood

  • Negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world (e.g. I am bad, others can’t be trusted, the world is a dangerous place)
  • Feelings of fear, horror, blame, guilt, anger, or shame
  • Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
  • Feeling detached from loved ones
  • Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Difficulty feeling positive emotions such as happiness, or love

4.  Changes in Arousal and Reactivity

  • Being easily startled
  • Hypervigilance – always being on guard for danger
  • Reckless or self-destructive behaviour (e.g. drinking too much or driving too fast)
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability or frequent angry outbursts

Trauma-focused therapy in Calgary for PTSD

At Clear Minds Psychology, we offer trauma and PTSD therapy in Calgary designed to address the root cause, not just the symptoms. This means helping you process and integrate the traumatic memory so it no longer holds the same emotional charge.

We use proven trauma-focused treatments such as:

These approaches are all evidence-based and tailored to your needs. Our goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and empowered as you heal.

Why Early PTSD Treatment in Calgary Matters

You don’t have to wait until your symptoms worsen before reaching out. Early PTSD treatment in Calgary can prevent long-term effects and help you reclaim your life sooner.

To learn more about therapy for PTSD in Calgary or to book your free 15-minute consultation, contact Clear Minds Psychology today at 403-389-8771.