PTSD Therapy - South Edmonton
Welcome to Boost Psychology. We are an ethically minded and evidence-based group psychology practice in South Edmonton that specializes in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We have a diverse group of psychologists who provide treatments for various psychological and mental health concerns, including PTSD. One thing our practitioners have in common is our specialization in PTSD treatment. Our group prides itself on offering evidence-based treatments for PTSD that have been proven to provide benefit through research on their effectiveness. Our hope is to support you in improving your functioning if you are managing symptoms of PTSD, and get on your way and back to your life. Our group of registered psychologists has taken specific training for treatments for PTSD, such as eye movement desensitization and processing (EMDR), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), which are gold standard treatments for PTSD. Not all therapies work on treating people who have experienced PTSD. This type of treatment is a specialty. It’s important to find a psychologist that is specifically trained and specialized in working with people who have experienced PTSD. Almost every member of our clinical team has specialized training in treating PTSD. Please connect with us today to see how we can support you in moving past PTSD symptoms.
PTSD Therapy – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counselling
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for Directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online
When you arrive at Boost Psychology for your appointment, you will be greeted by a receptionist, who will have forms for you to fill out. Our forms consist of a consent sheet, an intake sheet to gather your name, address, emergency contact, etc., and usually a brief measure of trauma or depression symptoms. The first session is time for you to share with your psychologist about what is going on for you. This also may be where you choose to share about the PTSD symptoms, but not everyone chooses to share their PTSD story in the first session. Either way is fine. Your psychologist will be looking to see areas you are doing well in and areas that need some support. Usually, at the end of the first session or two, the psychologist will be able to give you an estimate of treatment length and recommendations. The average length of treatment for PTSD is 8 to 20+ sessions, depending on the severity of symptoms or if it’s a single incident trauma, like a car accident, or repetitive trauma, like childhood abuse.
The purpose of PTSD therapy is not to retraumatize you. It’s a space for you to share about and process what has happened. Your psychologist will guide the process to keep you in a tolerable level of distress where you are still processing but not avoiding. It’s common for people to avoid their thoughts and feelings pertaining to PTSD. This behavior, done in the name of safety, is actually strengthening the PTSD symptoms. People often find relief when they start to talk about what they have been avoiding.
When someone is experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it’s as if their world starts to become smaller. Individuals find that they are drawn inward, feeling as if other people can’t understand what they are going through. Simple tasks such as going to the grocery store, spending time with your family, or going to work can feel impossible. Others experience flashbacks where a memory of the trauma intrudes into their lives either spontaneously or because of a reminder of the trauma. Others have nightmares about the traumatic event. Avoidance of situations, thoughts, and people that pose reminders of the trauma is common – this behavior is done in the name of safety, but actually increases anxiety for the individual. Emotional symptoms related to PTSD include depressed mood, memory difficulties, feeling numb, lack of positive emotion, fatigue, and hopelessness. Physically, people may have trouble sleeping, engage in self-destructive behavior such as alcohol and drug use, or be easily startled.
PTSD Counselling – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton PTSD Therapy
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for Directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online
Frequently asked questions about PTSD therapy:
How do I know if I have PTSD?
Psychologists frequently see people presenting with PTSD symptoms. Doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists can diagnose a person with post-traumatic stress disorder. Your psychologist will let you know their assessment of your symptoms when you meet.
How long does PTSD treatment take?
Treatment for PTSD varies for everyone. Depending on the modality used and the circumstances of the individual, treatment can take anywhere from 8 – 20+ sessions. When you meet with your psychologist, they can provide you with an estimate based on your assessment and the type of PTSD treatment being used.
Will I get better?
People do frequently see a reduction in their PTSD symptoms. Although nothing is guaranteed, by using evidence-based practices such as CPT, PE, and EMDR the likelihood of improvement of symptoms is greater. It’s important to complete exercises outside of the session to ensure that you are making all the progress that you can.
What type of therapy is best for PTSD?
It is important to remember that what therapy is the ‘right fit’ is often very personal. That being said, as Psychologists, when we think ‘best therapy’ we think evidence-based.
The practice of psychology involves significant research exploring the efficacy and effectiveness of treatments. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder treatment that has been extensively researched and is empirically (research) supports the use of three different treatments. These include:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – this involves exploring and challenging your thoughts around the traumatic event, specifically.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) – using principles of exposure therapy, clients engage in both imaginal and real-world practice to feel safe facing everyday triggers and emotional events related to the trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – based on the idea that our emotional experiences and logical/cognitive experiences can become disconnected during a traumatic event, EMDR seeks to help clients integrate their thoughts and feelings about the event into a coherent, safe, memory.
What are the first signs of PTSD?
When working with PTSD, we often tell our clients ‘sleep is the first thing to go and the last thing to get back’.
Following a traumatic event, having trauma-related symptoms for the first 2-3 days is expected. If the symptoms persist beyond day three, we recommend seeking treatment. If you are experiencing persistent, involuntary, and distressing reminders of the event (dreams, flashbacks, body sensations), are avoiding reminders of the event, feel like you are constantly on egg-shells, and no longer feel like the world is good or safe, these can all be signs of PTSD.
What are common PTSD triggers?
PTSD triggers are often related to your traumatic event specifically. For example, if you were in a car accident, triggers may involve thoughts related to driving, seeing a car or hearing sirens, or even the feeling of vestibular movement (driving) can trigger a trauma response. In a nut shell, anything that reminds your brain or body of the prior event will lead to your brain wanting to protect itself and a reminder of the trauma and why the situation is ‘unsafe’. Treatment works to ‘retrain’ your brain’s alarm system.
Is PTSD a serious mental illness?
In short, yes. PTSD can lead to neurological changes, limited functioning, increased mortality, and significant emotional turmoil. Seeking out treatment and support can significantly change the trajectory of the disease. PTSD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions, with up to 85% of individuals ‘losing’ the diagnosis following treatment.
Living with PTSD can be debilitating, and people often wait to get help. There are treatments available to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate symptoms of PTSD. The first step of seeking help is often the most challenging for people. Many people recover from PTSD symptoms and go on to live healthy lives. Don’t put off getting support. Invest in your wellness – life can get better.
PTSD Therapy – Edmonton
Registered Psychologists
South Edmonton PTSD Counselling
780-628-5446
2307 – 90B Street SW Edmonton
click for Directions
*just off of Ellerslie Road on 91 St. – Located in Summerside
Book an Appointment Online
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