Healing from trauma—so you can feel calm, connected, and resilient.
You’ve worked so hard to move on.
You’ve told yourself it’s in the past, pushed the memories aside, tried to power through.
Maybe you’ve even tried counselling before, hoping it would finally help.
But somehow, it still shows up—sometimes when you least expect it.
Maybe you notice these patterns in yourself:
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Snapping at the people you love, even when you don’t mean to
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Feeling shut down or distant when all you want is to feel close
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Lying awake at night, replaying moments over and over
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Living in a constant state of anxiety or on high alert
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Your body always on edge—tense, tight, bracing for something
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Feeling anger rise quickly, sometimes out of nowhere
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Carrying a heavy sense of shame that’s hard to explain
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Feeling numb, like the spark or joy for life is gone
If any of this sounds familiar, please know this: there is nothing “wrong” with you. Your nervous system has been working so hard to keep you safe—it just may still be caught in survival mode.
You don’t have to stay stuck here - Things really can be different.
And we can help.
If you see yourself in this, you’re not alone. Reach out and let’s talk.
Why People Reach Out for Trauma Therapy
Living through trauma can change how we move through life - how we relate to our bodies, our relationships, and our sense of safety in the world.
In overwhelming moments, we do whatever we can to get through.
Sometimes those survival patterns get stuck. We don’t always get to move through the danger or the hurt, and over time it begins to shape our daily life in ways we never intended.
People often reach out for trauma therapy when:
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You’ve lived through a critical event and want to process what happened so it doesn’t stay stuck
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You are negatively impacted by certain behaviours or reactions, in daily life and relationships
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You start to recognize that some life experiences were actually trauma
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You see the same painful patterns repeating and want to break the cycle
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You want to feel safe and at home in your own body again
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You’re ready to share and heal things you’ve been carrying alone for years
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You’re ready for more than coping—you want deep, meaningful change
If you see yourself in this, support is here. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Reaching out for trauma therapy is a brave step toward the life you’ve been longing for.
Why Trauma Therapy at Valley Art Therapy
...Here's What Sets Us Apart
Healing after trauma takes more than talking about what happened.
It’s about gently helping your mind and body learn that you're safe again.
Here’s what makes our approach different—and why it works.
Safety and Stabilization Come First
Why it matters:
Research shows trauma healing starts with safety. Before processing memories, you need tools to feel grounded and supported.
How we do this:
We begin by helping you feel grounded and safe - practicing nervous system tools, building a relationship you can trust, and moving entirely at your pace. You’re never expected to go faster than feels right, and you’ll only share your story when you feel ready.
We Work With Your Nervous System, Not Against It
Why it matters:
Trauma isn’t just in your thoughts - it lives in your body. Research in Polyvagal Theory and somatic psychology shows that healing happens when your nervous system can shift out of survival states like fight, flight, or freeze and into a state where you can rest, connect, and process.
How we do this:
Every therapist here is trained to notice and respond to nervous system states. We use somatic practices, gentle movement, mindfulness, and creative interventions to help your body and mind find calm and connection. These approaches are designed to support regulation in the moment and build long‑term capacity - helping you feel safer, steadier, and more present in your everyday life.
Healing Happens Beyond Words Alone
Why it matters:
Research in the field of trauma therapy shows that many traumatic memories live as sensations, images, and body responses. Talk therapy alone can’t always reach these layers.
How we do this:
At Valley Art Therapy, we offer approaches that go beyond words - such as art therapy, sand tray, therapeutic play, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR. These approaches gently access and release what words alone can’t, giving you new ways to process and integrate your experiences - at your own pace - so healing feels safe, and deeply empowering.
You’re Always in the Driver’s Seat
Why it matters:
Research shows people heal best when they feel a sense of choice and control in therapy. For many who’ve lived through trauma, those are exactly the things they didn’t have in the past—so rebuilding them is a powerful part of healing.
How we do this:
We collaborate with you on every step. You set the pace, and you choose the methods that feel right for you. We’re attuned to what feels safe and supportive, and we’ll never push you into anything before you’re ready. Our role is to walk alongside you with compassion, respect, and care, so you feel supported - not alone - through the process.
Your behaviours and reactions aren’t flaws - they’re proof of how hard your system has worked to keep you safe.
With the right support, those patterns can change. When you’re ready, we’d be honoured to help.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
Starting trauma therapy can feel like a big step.
It’s normal to feel nervous, unsure, or even overwhelmed at the thought of beginning. Many people worry they’ll have to tell their whole story right away - or relive everything that happened. That’s not how we work.
In your first session, we focus on you as a whole person - not just what you’ve been through. We’ll talk about what brings you here, how things are going for you right now, and how we can support you moving forward. We’ll also cover practical things like confidentiality, scheduling, and how we’ll work together so you know what to expect. There’s no pressure to tell your whole story.
Want a deeper look at what to expect?
Read our beginner’s guide to your first therapy session.
As therapy continues, every session is shaped around you - your needs, your pace, and what feels safe that day. Healing doesn’t follow a script. Some days you might feel ready to process memories; other days we might continue to focus on building skills and regulation first. Sessions are flexible, and we’ll check in often so you can always let us know what feels right for you.
Trauma therapy isn’t about telling your story over and over.
It’s about creating a space where your mind and body can feel safe enough to heal - one step at a time, at your own pace.
Who We Work With
We support both adults and children who have been through hard or overwhelming experiences that still feel heavy and impact daily life, including:
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Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
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Car accidents, medical trauma, or other sudden events
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Intimate partner violence or emotional abuse
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Loss, grief, and life changes that felt too big to process at the time
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Chronic stress and burnout that never seems to let up
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First responders, caregivers, and helpers carrying heavy stories
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Children navigating big feelings, trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming life events
Wherever you - or your child - are starting from, you’ll be met with care, respect, and the belief that healing is truly possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if you’re the right fit for me?
Feeling comfortable with your therapist is so important. We encourage you to reach out, ask questions, or book a first session to see how it feels before deciding. And if we’re not the right fit, we’re happy to help connect you with someone who might be.
What happens in the first session?
Your first session is about getting to know you - not about telling your whole story. We’ll talk about what’s been happening, what you’re hoping for, and what feels safe to start with. Together we’ll shape a plan that fits you and the pace that feels right.
What if I’m not ready to talk about everything?
That’s completely normal - and more common than you might think. You’re always in charge of what you share and when. We’ll move at your pace and never push you to go anywhere you don’t feel ready to go.
Do I have to talk about what happened in detail?
No. We focus first on safety and regulation. You can choose to share only what feels manageable, and many approaches - like art therapy and somatic work - don’t require talking about the details at all.
Will therapy make things feel worse before they feel better?
Sometimes, as we start to process what you’ve been carrying, feelings you’ve been working hard to push down can start to surface. That doesn’t mean you’re going backwards - it’s part of how healing unfolds. We go gently, build tools first, and check in often so you feel supported and steady - not overwhelmed - through the process.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. We see clients in person in Birtle, Russell, and Swan River, and we also offer secure online sessions across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
How long does trauma therapy take?
Healing isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. Some people come for a few months to work through a single event, while others stay longer to process deeper layers - especially when healing from ongoing or childhood trauma. Trauma therapy can also happen in phases: you might work with us for a while, take time to integrate what you’ve gained, and return later when you’re ready for the next step. We’ll check in regularly about your goals and what feels right for you, so the process always fits your needs and pace.
What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?
If therapy didn’t help before, that doesn’t mean it can't. There are so many reasons it might not have felt right—maybe it wasn’t the right fit, the right timing, or it missed the safety and regulation your body needed first. Trauma therapy works differently because it involves both the body and the mind. We’ll work together in ways that feel safer, more empowering, and more effective for you.
Do I need a diagnosis to start trauma therapy?
No. Many clients come simply because life feels harder than it should or they feel stuck in patterns they don’t want anymore. That’s enough to begin.
You deserve to feel safe and whole again.
Healing from trauma doesn’t mean erasing the past.
It means finding safety, freedom, and connection in your present - and your future.
You’ve been holding so much for so long. You don’t have to do this alone.
At Valley Art Therapy, we believe healing happens in relationship—with a therapist who truly sees you, and within a space that feels safe, connected, and full of possibility.
Alecia Weinheimer
Counsellor
Cassidy Entz
Counselling Intern
Dana Corr
Therapist
Jillian Henry-Wilkinson
Counsellor
Robyn Nerbas
Art Therapist
Shannon Fullerton
Counsellor
Terri Lynne Lawrence
Counsellor
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Not sure where to start?
Our Care Coordinator is here to help!