Trauma & EMDR Therapy in Hamilton, ON and Online in Ontario
Processing what still feels unresolved.
Some experiences don’t stay in the past. You may notice anxiety, emotional reactivity, shutdown, intrusive memories, or a persistent sense of being “on edge.” Trauma therapy offers a structured and supportive space to process what continues to affect you in the present.
Trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect.
Trauma can stem from a single overwhelming event or from repeated relational stress over time. It may show up as anxiety, irritability, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, or patterns that feel hard to change.
You might notice:
feeling easily triggered or overwhelmed
intrusive memories or recurring thoughts
difficulty regulating emotions
hypervigilance or constant mental scanning
avoidance of certain conversations, places, or memories
relational patterns rooted in past experiences
A Trauma-Informed, Integrative Approach
Trauma therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I use an integrative, evidence-based approach tailored to your needs. This may include attachment-focused therapy, cognitive and behavioural strategies (CBT and CPT), IFS-informed work, and EMDR when appropriate.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one structured approach that can help the brain process distressing experiences that remain “stuck.” It does not require repeatedly retelling every detail. Instead, it supports the nervous system in integrating unresolved material at a pace that feels manageable. EMDR is available in person in Hamilton or online anywhere in Ontario.
The goal is not to relive the past, but to reduce its impact on the present.
Building safety before processing
Before moving into deeper trauma processing, we focus on stabilization and emotional regulation. This includes building practical tools to help you feel grounded, supported, and more in control of your responses.
You remain in control throughout the process. Therapy moves at a pace that feels collaborative and respectful of your capacity.
What trauma therapy can support
Trauma therapy may be helpful if you are experiencing:
anxiety rooted in past experiences
childhood or relational trauma
attachment injuries
panic or emotional flooding
ongoing stress responses connected to a specific event
patterns of shame, self-criticism, or feeling “not enough”
You do not need to have a clear label or diagnosis to begin. We can explore what feels unresolved and determine together what approach makes the most sense.
What to expect
Early sessions focus on understanding your history, identifying current triggers, and clarifying your goals. From there, we create a plan that best suits you and can include skill-building, attachment work, and, when appropriate, EMDR processing.
Some concerns resolve relatively quickly. More complex trauma may require longer-term work. The pace and depth of therapy are always guided collaboratively.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes in length, but I also offer 85 minute sessions.
We move at a pace that prioritizes safety and emotional stability.
Start with a conversation
If you’re unsure whether trauma therapy or EMDR is the right fit, we can begin with a brief consult to discuss your goals and next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Trauma therapy may be helpful if you're experiencing anxiety rooted in past experiences, childhood or relational trauma, attachment injuries, panic or emotional flooding, or stress responses connected to a specific event. It can also help with patterns of shame, self-criticism, or feeling "not enough" that trace back further than the present moment. You don't need a clear label or diagnosis to begin, we can explore what feels unresolved together and figure out whether EMDR, another approach, or a combination makes the most sense for you.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps your nervous system reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming in the present. Sessions use structured attention and guided eye movements to help your brain work through experiences that have remained "stuck," rather than analyzing them in detail. Early sessions focus on building safety and stabilization before we move into deeper processing, always at a pace that feels manageable for you.
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No. One of the things that makes EMDR different is that it doesn't require repeatedly retelling every detail. Instead, it supports your nervous system in processing what's unresolved without needing a full verbal account. You remain in control throughout, and we only move toward material you feel ready to work with.
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This depends on what you're working through. Some concerns resolve relatively quickly, while more complex or longstanding trauma may need longer term work. After the first few sessions focused on understanding your history and goals, we'll have a clearer sense of a realistic timeline, and we'll keep checking in as we go rather than locking into a fixed number upfront.
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Trauma and EMDR sessions follow the same rate as individual therapy: 50 minute sessions at $160 each. Virtual sessions are available across Ontario, with in-person sessions offered in Hamilton. Receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement where applicable, direct billing available for most insurers.
