Trauma Recovery

Healing at Your Own Pace, With Compassionate Support

Experiencing trauma can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and even physical effects. Whether your trauma was caused by a single event or a series of distressing experiences over time, recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.

At Kells Psychology in South Edmonton, we offer a range of trauma recovery services tailored to meet you where you are in your healing journey. Our experienced therapists use evidence-based approaches to help you feel safer, more grounded, and more in control of your life.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is the emotional response to a distressing or life-threatening experience. These experiences might include, but are not limited to, accidents, abuse, loss, medical events, violence, or ongoing stress. Trauma can affect how you think, feel, and function, sometimes long after the event itself.

Common symptoms of trauma can include:

Emotional & Psychological:

Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares
Anxiety or panic
Feelings of shame, guilt, or anger
Numbness or disconnection
Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
Difficulty maintaining or forming relationships

Physical & Behavioral:

Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
Avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event
Sleep disturbances
Physical tension or unexplained pain
Changes in appetite or self-care

Everyone’s experiences are different. We work collaboratively with you to offer personalized support for your trauma recovery.

Our Approach to Trauma Recovery

Trauma-Trained, Not Just Trauma-Informed: The Kells Difference

Unlike trauma-informed care, which primarily emphasizes awareness, our trauma-trained team brings a wealth of specialized knowledge that equips us to effectively treat trauma, not just recognize it. This approach ensures that each client receives comprehensive, personalized care tailored to their unique needs and experiences.

What This Means for Your Care:

✓ Extensive Specialized Training – Our therapists receive extensive, specialized training in trauma treatment and continually update their skills with the latest research and techniques in trauma therapy.

✓ Evidence-Based Treatment – We use evidence-based trauma therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), and Somatic Therapy.

✓ Trauma-Sensitive Environment – Our entire clinic environment is designed to be trauma-sensitive and safe.

✓ Comprehensive Care – We address the full impact of trauma on mind, body, and spirit.

✓ Focus on Growth – Our focus is on building resilience and promoting post-traumatic growth. Our goal is to help you not just cope with trauma, but thrive beyond it.

Services We Offer

We provide both individual and group options for trauma recovery:

Individual Trauma Counselling

One-on-one therapy focused on working through the trauma, tailored to your unique experiences, needs, and goals. We offer in-person services to clients throughout the greater Edmonton area, including Leduc, Beaumont, Nisku, Devon, and more. We also provide virtual counselling Alberta-wide through telehealth. 

Our individual therapy sessions offer personalized support for your trauma recovery. Our trauma-trained therapists don’t just listen – they use proven techniques to help you reclaim your life and help you:

Create a path forward for healing and growth
Develop coping strategies for managing trauma symptoms
Process traumatic experiences in a safe environment
Support and manage the impact of trauma on relationships
Build resilience and rediscover your strengths

Trauma counselling is provided by Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Canadian Certified Counsellors, and Mental Health Therapists. Our diverse team of experts brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to address your unique needs.

Learn More About Individual Counselling

Trauma Recovery Groups

Trauma recovery groups at Kells Psychology in Edmonton provide a supportive and structured environment for individuals to learn evidence-based strategies for managing trauma symptoms.

While our sessions are held in a group setting, participants are never required to share personal details or experiences. Instead, the focus is on internal processing, learning, skill-building, and fostering a sense of connection through shared understanding. This approach ensures that each person can engage at their own pace and comfort level, while still benefiting from the guidance of trained clinicians and the collective support of the group.

Our group programs include:

Tools for Trauma Recovery

Learn essential trauma recovery skills in just one intensive day and walk away with practical strategies you can use immediately. This workshop gives you a toolkit that helps you:

Understand how trauma affects your brain and body
Develop practical skills for managing trauma symptoms
Recognize and respond to trauma triggers
Build effective grounding and self-regulation strategies
Create personalized tools for emotional stability

RESET: Journey

This comprehensive, evidence-based weekly program dives deeper into advanced strategies for psychological wellness. More than just coping, this program rebuilds your foundation for lasting wellness, and empowers you to:

Build practical skills to manage hardships and toxic stress
Develop effective emotional regulation strategies
Recognize and respect personal boundaries
Navigate depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges
Strengthen your self-trust and decision-making
Create sustainable self-care practices for lasting wellness

Reprocess, Release: An EMDR Group

This evidence-based program uses the Group Traumatic Events Protocol (G-TEP) from EMDR therapy and allows you to process traumatic memories without having to talk about them. This unique group approach gives you EMDR benefits at a fraction of individual session costs and helps participants:

Process overwhelming experiences
Manage stress and prevent burnout
Reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Promote emotional balance and calmness
Enhance sense of control

Learn More About Our Trauma Recovery Groups

Specialized Support Services

Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery

Specialized treatment for those experiencing trauma following motor vehicle collisions, including:

Processing collision-related trauma
Managing driving anxiety
Addressing physical and emotional symptoms
Direct billing to auto insurance available

Learn About Our MVC Recovery Services

Why Choose Kells Psychology for Trauma Recovery?

Over 30 Years of Excellence

Kells Psychology has been at the forefront of trauma treatment in Edmonton for over three decades.

Holistic Approach

We comprehensively address the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of trauma.

Evidence-Based Methods

All of our services draw on proven therapies, ensuring that you benefit from research-backed interventions.

Client-Centered Care

We focus on teaching you valuable skills to practice, allowing you to engage at your comfort level.

Expert Facilitation

All services are led by experienced mental health professionals who understand both the science of psychological injury and the reality of healing.

You’re Not Alone

Reaching out for support after trauma is a courageous step. Our team is here to walk alongside you, whether you are looking to understand your experience, receive support to help manage your symptoms, or regain a sense of safety and connection in your life.

At Kells Psychology, we believe that healing from trauma is possible. Our comprehensive approach ensures that you have the support, tools, and expertise needed to reclaim your life and thrive.