Trauma Therapy in Victoria BC

If you’ve experienced something painful or overwhelming, and it still affects you today, you’re not alone. Trauma can take many forms. It might be a single event or something that happened over time. You might feel on edge, emotionally numb, or stuck in patterns you can’t explain.

At Harbour Family Counselling, we offer trauma-informed care in a space that feels calm, respectful, and steady. You don’t have to relive everything. We’ll work gently and at your pace, helping you feel safer in your body and more connected to your life.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is your body and mind’s response to experiences that felt unsafe, too much, or beyond your ability to process at the time. It can affect how you feel, think, and relate to others long after the event.

Signs of trauma might include:

• Feeling jumpy, on edge, or easily startled

• Avoidance of certain places, people, or memories

• Emotional numbness or detachment

• Nightmares or flashbacks

• Difficulty trusting others

Everyone responds to trauma differently. Your experience is valid, and healing is possible.

How Therapy Can Help with Trauma

Trauma therapy helps you feel safer, more present, and more in control of your emotional world. It’s not about digging into every detail—it’s about restoring a sense of peace and wholeness at your pace.

Counselling helps you:

• Understand your trauma responses

• Reconnect with your body and emotions safely

• Reduce symptoms like panic, shame, or avoidance

• Build a stronger sense of self and safety

Therapies We Use for Trauma

Our trauma-informed team uses research-backed therapies such as:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) To process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress without needing to retell everything.

IFS (Internal Family Systems) To work gently with protective parts and help bring healing to wounded inner parts.

Mindfulness and Grounding To stay present and feel more steady in your body and surroundings.

Compassion-Focused Therapy To reduce inner criticism and support emotional healing with warmth and care.

Counsellors Who Support Trauma Recovery

Darcy Harbour, RCC Darcy brings a steady, calming presence and works with IFS and compassion-based therapy to support long-term healing. [Read More]

Maria Butler, RCC Maria uses EMDR, CBT, and IFS to help clients move through trauma, especially related to burnout, perfectionism, and life transitions. [Read More]

Talita Nell, RCC Talita helps youth and students process trauma gently using grounding, emotion-focused, and strengths-based approaches. [Read More]

What Sessions Look Like

Each session is 50 minutes and can be held in our Victoria office near UVic and Camosun or online anywhere in BC. You don’t need to prepare or explain everything up front. You’re welcome just as you are.

Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation

If you’re wondering whether trauma therapy might help, you’re welcome to book a free consult. You’ll meet a counsellor, ask questions, and get a feel for how we work.