Trauma Therapy & EMDR in Toronto
Trauma isn’t defined by what happened as much as by how it lives on in your body and mind. After a frightening or overwhelming experience, or after years of feeling unsafe, you might feel on guard, disconnected, easily triggered or stuck in memories that still feel very present. Trauma therapy offers a safe, paced way to understand these reactions and loosen their hold.
At Kalm Wellness Therapy we provide trauma-informed therapy and EMDR at our North York office and online for clients across Canada.
Trauma isn’t defined by what happened as much as by how it lives on in your body and mind. After a frightening or overwhelming experience, or after years of feeling unsafe, you might feel on guard, disconnected, easily triggered or stuck in memories that still feel very present. Trauma therapy offers a safe, paced way to understand these reactions and loosen their hold.
At Kalm Wellness Therapy we provide trauma-informed therapy and EMDR at our North York office and online for clients across Canada.
Who trauma therapy is for
Trauma therapy may help if you’ve experienced:
- A single event such as a car accident, assault, workplace injury or medical emergency
- Ongoing difficult experiences such as childhood trauma, bullying, emotional abuse or an unsafe relationship
- Relational trauma, including narcissistic or antagonistic abuse
- Reproductive or medical trauma
- Loss that felt sudden or traumatic
You might notice nightmares, flashbacks, jumpiness, avoidance, numbness, shame or trouble trusting others. You don’t need a PTSD diagnosis, and you don’t need to share every detail to begin.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less charged. During processing, your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping, while you briefly bring a memory to mind. EMDR does not require long, detailed retelling of the event.
Our founder also uses the related R-TEP and G-TEP protocols, as well as Blink, which are designed for more recent events and gentler processing.
Other approaches we use
Not everyone wants or is ready for EMDR. Other trauma-informed options include:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which works with “stuck points”, the beliefs about yourself and the world that formed after trauma
- Polyvagal-informed therapy, which helps you understand and settle your nervous system’s survival responses
- IFS, which works gently with protective parts and wounded parts
- DBT skills for grounding and managing intense emotions
- Trauma-informed talk therapy, mind-body work and narrative therapy
What sessions involve
Trauma work starts with safety and stabilisation. Early sessions focus on getting to know you, understanding your symptoms and building grounding and coping tools so you feel resourced before going near painful memories. Your therapist will explain each step and check in often, and you can pause or slow down at any time. If you choose EMDR, there are preparation sessions before any memory processing begins. The aim is for you to feel more in control, never retraumatised.
Therapists who offer trauma therapy and EMDR
- Kayla Schofield, RP (Founder): EMDR, R-TEP and G-TEP, Blink and IFS for childhood trauma, bullying, workplace injuries and traumatic events
- Ahsen Ayan, RSW: EMDR and trauma-focused therapy for adolescent trauma, PTSD, motor vehicle accident trauma and medical trauma
- Tara Fiodorwicz, RP: CPT and polyvagal therapy for PTSD, relational trauma, reproductive trauma and narcissistic or antagonistic abuse
- Pratima Pathak, RP: virtual trauma and PTSD support in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi
Other team members use a trauma-informed lens in all their work. See Meet the Kalm Team.
In person or online
EMDR and trauma therapy are available in our Toronto office, see in-person therapy. Many trauma approaches, including EMDR, can also be delivered through virtual therapy. Your therapist can talk through which option suits you best.
How to book
Booking starts with a free consultation. It’s a short conversation to see whether we’re a good fit and which therapist suits what you’re looking for. You can book a free consultation online through our booking system, call us at 647-250-4308, or send a message through our contact page.
In person: 534 Lawrence Ave W, Suite 221B, Toronto (North York), above the Scotiabank. See in-person therapy.
Online: secure video sessions for clients across Canada. See virtual therapy.
All Kalm Wellness Therapy therapists are regulated by their respective professional colleges, such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). If you are in crisis or at risk of harm, call or text 9-8-8 or go to your nearest emergency department.