What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma typically arises from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events—often in early life or within close relationships. It can result from experiences such as childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or long-term emotional harm. Complex trauma can also be experienced from cultural and social factors of oppression, from experiences such as ongoing childhood or adulthood/workplace bullying, and can be passed down through unhealthy coping skills from one generation to the next. Similar to single-incident trauma, complex trauma often affects a person’s sense of safety and trust, but can have a deeper impact on the ability to develop a healthy sense of self-worth, healthy emotional regulation skills and to form healthy relationships.
Common Signs of Complex Trauma
Persistent Feelings of Shame or Guilt
Diffculty Regulating Emotions
Struggles with Personal Identity or Self-Worth
Chronic
Anxiety or Depression
Difficulty with Relationships or Trusting Others
Flashbacks
or
Nightmares
Hypervigilace or a Constant Sense of Threat
Trauma is not just an event that took place
sometime in the past;
it is also the imprint left by that experience
on mind, brain, and body.
Healing from Complex Trauma
Healing takes time, is non-linear, and most often happens in healthy and supportive relationships with others. It often requires learning how previous unhealthy patterns were experienced and developed, how relational attachments have been affected, and how the nervous system responds to keep us safe through the prolonged exposure to situations that didn’t feel safe or connected to others. It requires patience and compassion for yourself and what you’ve experienced, a gentle approach that integrates past experiences with the current and future sense of self, to learn how to work with thought patterns that are no longer serving you, to learn ways to balance your nervous system, and how to nurture your needs moving forward.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy provides a safe and compassionate space to begin healing. At our CW Therapy, we work at your pace to rebuild your sense of safety and trust—both in yourself and in your environment. Our therapists use a variety of evidence-based approaches to support recovery. Some approaches they may use are:
Trauma Informed Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Somatic and Body Based Techniques
Compassion
Focused Therapy
Attachment Focused Therapy
What Should I Expect?
Healing from complex trauma is not linear—but it is possible. Therapy is tailored to your individual needs and may involve
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Building safety and stabilization
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Gently processing past experiences
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Learning emotional regulation and coping skills
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Reconnecting with your sense of self and personal strengths
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Cultivating healthier relationships and boundaries
Get the support you need
Whether you’re just starting to explore therapy or have been on this journey for a while, we’re here to support you. Our therapists are compassionate, experienced, and deeply committed to helping you feel safe, empowered, and whole.
Therapy for Complex Trauma is available in Oakville, Georgetown, and online for all residents of Ontario.
Oakville Specialists
Georgetown Specialists
Book a free 15 minute consultation today!
Available in Oakville, Georgetown & virtual
Before beginning therapy for complex trauma, you may have a lot of questions or uncertainty—and that’s completely understandable.
We want you to feel informed and supported as you take this step toward healing. That’s why we invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with us.
During this initial call, you’ll have the chance to ask any questions you may have, and we’ll share more about how we approach complex trauma therapy and what you can expect.
PS. This call doesn't obligate you to work with us! You can use this form also if you have questions before booking a consultation.
