Trauma (Children & Youth)

Definition:

Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Long after the traumatic event occurs, people with trauma can often feel shame, helplessness, powerlessness and intense fear.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Anxiety

• Bedwetting

• Depression

• Nightmares

• Resisting attending school

• Poor performance or attendance in school

• Increase mood swings

• Substance use

• Self-harming behaviours

Couples Therapy

Definition:

Couples Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can help you and your partner improve your relationship. If you are having relationship difficulties, you can seek couples therapy to help rebuild your relationship.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Escalating conflict and nasty communication habits

• Emotional distance and loneliness

• Falling out of love, i.e. “I love you, but I’m not in love with you.”

• Trust and commitment issues

• Attachment insecurities that are grounded in feelings of low self-worth and fears of abandonment

• Feeling unsupported and emotionally dismissed 

• Difficulty with opening up emotionally

• Sexual intimacy is practically non-existent or  there is a lack of desire

• Difficulties with in-laws, friendships, work, or life stressors including health issues

• Abuse, affairs, and addictions (alcohol, drugs, porn, etc.)

• Differences in parenting styles that lead to conflict

• Mismanagement and disagreement on finances

• Things feeling unfair in the division of household chores

• Unequal decision making

Depression

Definition:

Characterized as a mood disorder, depression often develops due to persistent feelings of sadness or a loss of interest, passion, or motivation. Depression often impacts how one feels, thinks, and behaves and can develop into various emotional and/or physical problems that impact your ability to function in your day-to-day life.

Signs & Symptoms:

• A loss of interest in things or activities that use to promote joy

• Difficulty sleeping

• Changes in eating habits

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness

• Feeling more or easily overwhelmed

• Increased anger, irritability, or frustration

• Increased tendency to want to be alone

• Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements

• Difficulty concentrating

• Increased thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicidality

• Feelings of sadness or irritability

• Increased feelings of negative self-worth

• Increased expressions of worries

• Avoidance of social interactions

• Noticeable changes in diet or eating habits

P.T.S.D.

Definition:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder refers to individuals that experience a struggle with feelings and emotions related to surviving or living through a traumatic event, such as a car accident or domestic violence. Usually developing following the traumatic incident, post-traumatic stress results through continuously reliving the traumatic incident or upsetting thoughts related to the stressful event.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Intrusive memories, such as recurrent or unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event

• Avoidance of thinking or talking about the traumatic event; 

• Developing negative thoughts about yourself or others; 

• Increased feelings of hopelessness;

• Difficulty maintaining close relationships or feeling detached from family and friends; 

• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed; 

• Difficulty sleeping; 

• Difficulty concentrating; 

• Feeling like you are always on guard for danger; 

• Engaging in self-destructive behaviour, such as drinking excessively, experimenting with recreational drugs, or driving too fast; and/or, 

• Feelings of guilt or shame. 

Child Specialist

Definition:

Child Specialists specialize in treating children with behavioural, emotional, or mental disorders. Child Specialists take a behavioural approach to emotional problems with children, focusing on helping their patients to develop ways to use their own strengths to cope with issues.

Signs & Symptoms:

Emotional Symptoms

• Overwhelming fear

• Regressing to a younger state

• Difficulty concentrating or acting withdrawn

• Trouble performing in school

• Mood changes & Behavioural changes

• Anxiety

• Depression

Physical Symptoms

• Nightmares

• Headaches

• Lack of appetiite Frequent stomach aches

• Self-harming behaviour

• Difficulty sleeping

• Substance use

Family & Parent Support

Definition:

Family Therapy is a type of psychological counselling that can help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. It may include all family members or just those able or willing to participate. Your specific treatment plan will depend on your family's situation. Family therapy sessions can teach you skills to deepen family connections and get through stressful times, even after you're done going to therapy sessions.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Seeking a closer relationship

• Facing challenges, such as mental or physical illnesses

• Worried about their children's behaviour

• Getting a divorce or separation

• Increasing communication

• Escalating conflict and nasty communication habits

• Emotional distance and loneliness

• Feeling unsupported and emotionally dismissed 

• Difficulty with opening up emotionally

• Difficulties with in-laws, friendships, work, or life stressors including health issues

• Abuse, affairs, and addictions (alcohol, drugs, porn, etc.)

• Things feeling unfair in the division of household chores