If you're searching for PTSD therapy in Ottawa, you may already be tired. Maybe something frightening happened, and your body still acts as if it's happening now. Reaching out can feel like a big step. This guide explains what trauma therapy involves, what an assessment can clarify and how to start with our Ottawa team, in person or online.
This article is general information only. It has no graphic detail, and it isn't medical advice.
What PTSD therapy is, in plain words
PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. NIMH explains that many people feel shaken after a frightening event, and most recover over time. When symptoms last and get in the way of daily life, such as relationships or work, a diagnosis of PTSD may be considered.
CAMH notes that trauma can come from one event, like a serious accident or an assault, or from a long pattern of harm. Whatever the source, your reaction makes sense. CMHA Ontario adds that many people feel guilt or shame because they're told to just get over it. You don't have to carry that.
CMHA Ontario also notes that some jobs, including military service and first responder work, come with higher rates of PTSD than other lines of work. Many people also come to therapy after a crash, an assault or a hard event they only watched. If any of this sounds like you, asking for help is a sensible step, not a sign of weakness.
PTSD therapy is talk-based care. It helps you understand what your mind and body are doing, and it gives you ways to feel steadier. It isn't about forgetting what happened, and no one can promise a result. NIMH says the main treatments are psychotherapy, medication or both, and this article focuses on therapy.
Our Ottawa office offers PTSD therapy and EMDR. Therapy at our clinic is provided by Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) and Registered Social Workers (RSWs).
How therapy usually starts
Therapy usually begins with getting to know you. A good therapist sets the pace with you and puts steadiness first. You don't have to retell everything on the first day. The WHO says that talking with trusted people about what happened is best done only when you feel ready.
CAMH describes "trauma-informed" care as care that respects your experience and sees many symptoms as ways of coping that grew out of a hard time. That idea shapes how early sessions tend to feel:
We talk about what has been happening and what matters most to you
You learn skills for noticing triggers and managing symptoms, which NIMH says effective therapies often include
We set goals together and check in on them as you go
Feeling worse before you feel better can happen in therapy, and it's worth saying out loud if it does. You can tell your therapist when something is too much, and you can ask to slow down. Pacing is part of the work, not a detour from it.
NIMH also suggests working with someone who has experience treating PTSD. You're welcome to ask us about that in your free consultation.
What an assessment can clarify
You don't need a diagnosis to begin therapy. Some people still want one, because it gives a name to what they're living with and can guide the plan.
Psychologists on our team can diagnose PTSD and complex PTSD. Our Nurse Practitioners can also assess and diagnose. At our Ottawa office, psychological assessments are for children ages 6 and up, teens and adults. If you'd like to know how an assessment would work for you, ask in the free consultation.
An assessment looks at what happened, what you notice now and how it affects your days. MedlinePlus says a diagnosis involves a mental health screening, and that symptoms generally need to last at least a month. It can also look at other things that may show up alongside PTSD. NIMH lists depression, anxiety and substance use as examples.
CAMH also separates simple PTSD, which is most likely after a single event, from complex PTSD, which tends to follow long-term, chronic trauma and can affect trust in relationships. If your history is long and layered, tell us in your consultation so we can plan with that in mind.
If you already take medication, raise it with your prescriber, or ask about our Nurse Practitioners. Please don't stop or change anything on your own.
Therapy approaches you may hear about
CAMH lists several common approaches to trauma therapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), sensorimotor therapy, psychodynamic therapy and EMDR. The WHO also says the psychological treatments with the most evidence for PTSD are trauma-focused CBT and EMDR.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. A review of EMDR research in PMC describes it as a structured, eight-phase approach. It starts with history taking and preparation, including coping skills. Then you briefly hold a distressing memory in mind while following something that moves side to side, such as eye movements, taps or tones.
The same review notes that EMDR doesn't involve detailed descriptions of the event or homework. It also says researchers are still studying exactly how it works, so we won't overpromise. Our Ottawa office offers EMDR, and we can explain how we'd approach it for you. Our post on what happens in an EMDR session walks through each step.
Many people ask which approach is best. There isn't one answer for everyone. The right fit depends on you, your history and what feels manageable, and we sort that out together.
What can help alongside therapy
Therapy is the main support, but small habits can help too. NIMH and the WHO suggest a few simple ones:
Keep regular routines for meals, movement and sleep
Set realistic goals and focus on what you can manage today
Spend time with trusted people, and tell them what might trigger you
Cut down on alcohol and drugs, which can make symptoms worse
Try short walks, breathing exercises or other ways to ease stress
NIMH also reminds readers to expect symptoms to improve gradually, not right away. That's normal. Good days and hard days can sit side by side for a while, and neither one means therapy has failed.
In person at our Ottawa office, or online
Our Ottawa office is at 1 Rideau Street, on the 7th floor, inside the Fairmont Château Laurier. You can call us at (613) 691-1006.
Some people feel safer in a quiet room away from home. Others feel safer on a couch with a blanket and a pet nearby. Both are valid choices. The WHO notes that evidence-based psychological treatments for PTSD can be delivered in person or online.
We offer online sessions across Ontario, so you can choose what suits your week and your comfort. If you aren't sure, start where you feel safest. You can change later. We also see clients in Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge.
Costs and billing
Knowing the costs ahead of time makes it easier to plan. Individual sessions are $130 to $200. New clients pay a one-time $50 setup fee, which isn't charged for the free consultation. Psychologist fees depend on the service, and we explain them in the free consultation.
We accept Health Spending Accounts, and we direct bill many insurance plans. Some sessions, such as those with Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying), or RP(Q), who are still qualifying, can't be direct billed. Ask us during your free 15-minute consultation so there are no surprises. Depending on your plan, your insurance may cover the full session fee. Coverage differs between plans, so it's worth checking your own benefits booklet or card.
If you need support right now
Therapy isn't an emergency service. If you're thinking about suicide or worried about your safety, call or text 9-8-8 any time, or visit 988.ca. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also see our crisis lines page.
Next step, a free consultation
You don't need the perfect words, and you don't need to know exactly what you're dealing with. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what's been happening, ask about PTSD therapy and EMDR in Ottawa, and see what support could look like.