Providing Trauma Informed Care

Wondering "what is trauma?" You're not alone. It's a word we hear a lot, but what does it really mean? Tara Brach, 2011 defines trauma to be "when we have encountered an out of control, frightening experience that has disconnected us from all sense of resourcefulness, or safety or coping or love." Trauma can be something big and sudden, like a car crash or losing someone you love without warning. But the effects of trauma can also be something that builds up over time, like enduring continued abuse from a partner, suffering ongoing neglect during childhood or experiencing the impacts of intergenerational trauma as  a result of racialization, systemic oppression or structural violence.

When we talk about psychological trauma, we mean those deeply distressing events or patterns that leave a lasting mark on your emotional well-being. Sometimes, it's clear to see how these experiences affect you, but other times, it might appear in your life in subtler ways that are not as easy to recognise.

You might notice things like:

These are just a few ways the effects of trauma might show up in your life. If something's been bothering you, and it feels bigger than the usual ups and downs of life, you might be dealing with something more profound. That's where working with a trauma-informed counselor might really make a difference.

LJS Counselling & consulting

Lianne has the training and experience needed to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma. But trauma-informed care is more than just identifying what's happening; it's about creating a safe and supportive environment for all people. Together with Lianne, you can explore how past difficult experiences might be affecting your daily life. She's skilled at guiding you through this process, ensuring you feel comfortable and understood, and most importantly, that you are moving at a pace that feels right for you.

With guidance and support, you can work towards finding your own path that promotes healing, self compassion and personal growth.

Your feelings and experiences are handled with the utmost care, ensuring you feel as safe as possible and heard. Lianne respects your boundaries and tailors her approach to meet your unique needs and comfort levels, fostering an environment of trust and understanding.

Your thoughts, feelings, and experiences are central to the counseling process. Lianne emphasizes a transparent and trustworthy relationship, where questions are encouraged, and your input is crucial to making progress and achieving your goals.

Lianne helps you recognize the strength and resilience you've already demonstrated in surviving the challenges life has thrown at you til now. Together, you'll work on developing the confidence and skills needed to further your journey toward healing, and self-acceptance.

Lianne is mindful of the biases and stereotypes associated with race, sexual orientation, substance use and more. She actively seeks guidance on her own blind spots, striving to provide care that recognizes peoples' unique experiences, honors cultural context and connections and seeks to understand the underlying societal influences that may be contributing to ongoing distress.

LJS Counselling & consulting

Sometimes, people living with the effects of trauma, may develop problematic relationships with substances. Lianne specializes in working with people who are concerned about their substance use, or want to explore issues of dependence more closely. Her knowledge in the field of substance use services coupled with her commitment to trauma informed care and harm reduction principals, makes her a truly one-of-a-kind counselor in the Fraser Valley.

Learn More About Lianne’s Harm Reduction Approach to Substance Use.

Learn More About Training & Facilitation for Health & Community Professionals