Counselling for Trauma in Langford | Jennifer Brum Counselling

Healing Trauma With Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support

Trauma Therapy in Langford, BC and Online

Trauma can leave deep imprints—not only in our memories, but in our bodies, our nervous systems, and how we see ourselves. It may shape how you move through the world, how you trust, and how safe you feel—even if the original event happened long ago.

“You are not broken. You are breaking through.”
— Alex Myles

Whether your trauma stems from a single overwhelming experience or a series of painful events over time, it deserves care and attention. Trauma therapy creates a space where your story can be held with compassion, at your pace, and without judgment.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how your system responded. You may not always remember the moment clearly, but your body does.

“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”
— Dr. Gabor Maté

Some trauma results from a specific event, like a car accident or medical emergency. Others experience complex trauma through ongoing stress or repeated emotional wounds, especially in childhood. All trauma is valid—and all healing journeys matter.

You might be carrying trauma from:

A serious accident or sudden injury
Birth trauma or invasive medical procedures
Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Childhood neglect or attachment wounds
The sudden death of a loved one
Living in fear, instability, or chronic stress

Common Trauma Responses

Trauma shows up differently for everyone. You may experience:

Flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional flooding
Feeling numb, disconnected, or “not fully here”
Startling easily or feeling constantly on edge
Avoiding reminders of the past
Difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or relaxing
Shame, guilt, or the feeling that something’s “wrong” with you

These are not signs of weakness. They are signs your system is trying to protect you.

How Trauma Affects the Brain and Body

Trauma impacts both the mind and body. According to the DSM-5, symptoms often fall into four main categories:

Intrusion: Flashbacks, nightmares, or overwhelming reactions to triggers
Avoidance: Steering clear of people, places, memories, or feelings that remind you of what happened
Negative Thoughts & Mood: Persistent shame, hopelessness, or emotional numbness
Arousal & Reactivity: Difficulty sleeping, irritability, hypervigilance, or feeling “on edge”

Understanding these patterns can help you make sense of what you’re feeling—and why healing often needs to happen on multiple levels.

What Trauma Counselling Can Offer

In therapy, you’ll find a supportive space to:

Feel safe, seen, and grounded in your body
Gently process painful memories—without becoming overwhelmed
Learn to regulate your nervous system and emotions
Work with both the mind and body to release trauma
Reconnect with your strengths, identity, and sense of choice

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.”
— Akshay Dubey

You don’t have to revisit everything at once. We’ll move slowly, with care, and always at your pace.

Therapies I Use in Trauma Counselling

Healing is not one-size-fits-all. I offer an integrative approach tailored to your needs, drawing on the following modalities:

EMDR Therapy: Helps reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories by supporting the brain’s natural healing process
Somatic Experiencing: A gentle, body-based approach to help release stored trauma through awareness, grounding, and regulation
Parts Work (IFS-informed): Connect with and bring healing to wounded or protective parts of yourself
Mindfulness & Body Awareness: Grounding techniques to help you feel present, calm, and more connected to yourself

Is It the Right Time for Trauma Therapy?

You may be ready for trauma counselling if you:

Still feel impacted by something that happened long ago
Experience triggers, emotional overwhelm, or “shutting down”
Struggle to feel safe, connected, or in control of your body and emotions
Have tried to move on but keep feeling stuck
Long to feel calm, confident, and empowered again

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”
— Brené Brown

Take the First Step Toward Healing

Trauma doesn’t have to define your future. Healing is possible—with support, patience, and a safe space to be yourself.

If you’re curious about working together, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. This is a gentle way to ask questions, explore fit, and take that first courageous step.

“It’s not ‘what’s wrong with you?’ It’s ‘what happened to you?'”

– Dr. Bruce Perry

FAQ’s About Trauma Counselling

Trauma Counselling in Langford, BC and Online

Taking the first step toward trauma healing can bring up a lot of uncertainty. These FAQs are here to gently guide you and help you feel more grounded in what to expect from therapy.

What is trauma counselling, and how can it help me?

Trauma counselling is a supportive, evidence-based process that helps you gently explore and work through the effects of trauma—whether from a single event or ongoing stress. It helps reduce symptoms, regulate the nervous system, and restore a sense of safety, connection, and self-trust. You don’t have to relive everything to heal—we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma therapy?

Not at all. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek support. Many people experience trauma-related symptoms—like anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or dissociation—without meeting full criteria for PTSD. If something painful has left a lasting impact, trauma therapy can help you begin to heal.

What kinds of trauma do you work with?

Accidents, injuries, or medical trauma
Childhood abuse or neglect
Sexual trauma
Birth trauma and infertility
Sudden loss or grief
Chronic stress, anxiety, or emotional invalidation
Attachment wounds and developmental trauma

No trauma is “too small” or “too old” to matter. If it still affects you, it’s worth exploring in therapy.

How does trauma therapy work?

I use a personalized, integrative approach that may include EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, parts work (IFS-informed), and mindfulness-based techniques. Together, we work to build internal safety, support nervous system regulation, and reprocess difficult experiences without overwhelm. You’re always in control of your healing journey.

What if I can’t remember everything that happened?

That’s okay. Trauma memories are often fragmented or hard to access—especially when the event happened in early childhood or under stress. In trauma counselling, we don’t need to focus on every detail. We work with what’s present in your body, emotions, and patterns today to support healing.

Is it normal to feel worse before I feel better?

Sometimes, yes—but you’ll never be left alone in that discomfort. As you begin to unpack difficult experiences, emotions may surface. That’s why we move slowly and build strong grounding and regulation skills first. The goal is always to move toward healing with care, not re-traumatization.

Do you offer online trauma therapy?

Yes, I offer both in-person trauma counselling in Langford, BC and secure online sessions for clients across British Columbia and Canada. Virtual therapy can be just as effective and allows you to access support from the comfort of your home.

How do I know if I’m ready for trauma therapy?

You might be ready if you’ve noticed ongoing symptoms like anxiety, nightmares, emotional numbing, or difficulty feeling safe or connected. You may feel stuck, even if you’ve tried to “move on.” If you’re curious and open to exploring your experience with gentle support, that’s a sign you’re ready.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule your 15-minute complementary consultation

to see if we’re a good match.

BOOK MY APPOINTMENT NOW