Understanding Trauma: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and What Helps
Trauma doesn’t just live in memory — it often lingers in the nervous system, the body, and our relationships. Whether the experience was a single event or a series of smaller ones, trauma can disrupt your ability to feel safe, connected, and present. But it can be worked with. At Tidal Trauma Centre, we help clients across British Columbia understand the impact of trauma and begin to reconnect with themselves through gentle, evidence-based therapy.
This blog explores what trauma is, how it shows up, and how online trauma therapy can support you or someone you care about — wherever you are in BC.
What Counts as Trauma?
Trauma is not defined by the event, but by the impact. It's any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope and leaves a lasting imprint on your nervous system. This includes:
Physical or sexual assault
Emotional abuse or neglect
Medical trauma
Car accidents or injuries
Witnessing violence
Complex childhood environments
Grief, abandonment, or relational loss
We sometimes differentiate between “capital-T Trauma” (single, extreme events) and “lowercase-t trauma” (chronic or repeated stressors). Both are valid. Both can shape how we move through the world. And both deserve care.
How Trauma Shows Up in the Body and Mind
Trauma is often misunderstood as a purely emotional experience, but it can manifest across every part of your life:
Emotional signs
Fear, anger, guilt, shame
Emotional numbness or overwhelm
Feelings of helplessness
Physical symptoms
Chronic pain or fatigue
Headaches, digestive issues
Muscle tension, hypervigilance
Cognitive impacts
Difficulty concentrating
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Memory lapses or confusion
Behavioural patterns
Avoidance or isolation
Substance use or compulsive behaviours
Difficulty with boundaries or trust
These responses are adaptations, your nervous system’s way of protecting you. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and work with them rather than against them.
Why Consider Online Trauma Therapy?
Healing from trauma requires safety, consistency, and a supportive relationship. For many people, online therapy offers all three with added flexibility. From urban centers like Vancouver and Victoria to remote communities like Prince George, Fernie, or Haida Gwaii, online counselling connects you with qualified therapists without needing to leave your home.
Benefits of online trauma therapy include:
Access to skilled trauma therapists across BC
Comfort and safety of your own space
Flexible scheduling that fits your life
Continuity of care even if you relocate or travel
We use secure, encrypted video platforms that protect your privacy and make sessions feel grounded and focused.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Trauma Therapy
At Tidal Trauma Centre, our therapists are trained in a range of therapies designed to help regulate your nervous system, process traumatic experiences, and rebuild internal trust. These include:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) which helps reprocess trauma in the brain, reducing the emotional intensity of past memories and building new associations that support healing.
Somatic Experiencing which works directly with the nervous system to complete incomplete survival responses, regulate physiology, and build embodied resilience.
OEI (Observed and Experiential Integration), a gentle, effective approach that uses visual fields to support trauma resolution and emotional integration.
Lifespan Integration (LI), targets past traumas and limiting beliefs by helping the brain build new neural pathways through repeated timeline work.
CBT-Informed Trauma Therapy which helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns that stem from trauma, while supporting skills for daily coping.
No two people experience trauma the same way, which is why our therapists adapt the work to your unique system, needs, and pace.
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Most sessions are 50–60 minutes, though some modalities may offer extended sessions when appropriate.
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Yes. Research consistently shows that virtual trauma therapy is equally effective for many clients, especially when provided by experienced clinicians.
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Absolutely. Many of our clients working through long-term trauma, CPTSD, or relational wounding benefit deeply from the safety and convenience of online care.
A Step Toward Reconnection
You don’t need to wait for things to get worse to reach out. Whether you're managing symptoms on your own or already working with another provider, online trauma therapy can offer a space to slow down, reflect, and begin the work of integration.
If you're curious, unsure, or simply want to ask some questions, we're here.
Contact us or fill out a New Client Form to get matched with one or more of our trauma therapists. Or, if you're ready, book a free consult or appointment now.
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Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental health advice. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.