What is Trauma Therapy? How EMDR and Parts Work Help you Heal
Not all therapy is trauma therapy.
Many people come to counselling knowing something from their past still affects them. But they don’t know why talking about it hasn’t been enough. Trauma therapy works differently because trauma lives in the nervous system, not just in memory.
Trauma Isn’t Just About What Happened
Trauma is not defined only by the event. It’s about how your system responded at the time and whether you had the support and safety needed to process it.
You might notice trauma showing up as:
Feeling easily overwhelmed
Difficulty trusting others
Chronic anxiety or shutdown
Strong emotional reactions that feel “bigger than the situation”
Feeling stuck in old patterns even when you understand them logically
This is where specialized trauma therapy can help. Trauma therapy includes methods like EMDR, Somatic Therapy, and Expressive Arts.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences so it feels like something that happened in the past - rather than something still happening now.
Instead of retelling your story over and over, EMDR helps the nervous system reconsolidate the memory so it can be stored properly as past material. Many people find that triggers lose intensity and new, more adaptive beliefs begin to feel true.
What is Parts Work?
Parts work is based on the understanding that we all have different “parts” of ourselves (like the anxious part, the critical part, the people pleasing part, the shutdown part, etc.).
These parts developed for good reasons. In trauma therapy, we don’t try to get rid of them. We get to know them, understand what they’re protecting, and help your system move from survival mode into a greater sense of safety and choice.
Trauma Therapy is Gentle and Collaborative
You won’t be pushed to talk about anything before you’re ready. Trauma therapy moves at the pace your system can handle. Building safety, regulation skills, and internal resources is often the first step.
Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means the past no longer runs your present constantly.
Looking for Trauma Therapy in Maple Ridge?
If you’re looking for trauma counselling in Maple Ridge, support for anxiety, or nervous system regulation, our team is here to help. We offer in-person sessions in Maple Ridge and virtual counselling across BC.