PTSD & Complex PTSD Therapy
in St. Albert & Edmonton

You survived something difficult.

Your nervous system may still be trying to protect you.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD can affect far more than memories of a traumatic experience. They can influence how you feel, think, relate to others, respond to stress, and experience your own body.

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You may know that you are safe, but still feel like something isn't right.

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You may be constantly on guard, easily overwhelmed, emotionally numb, disconnected, or struggling with memories that you wish would stop. You may find yourself avoiding certain places, people, conversations, or situations because they bring up feelings you don't want to experience.

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You are not weak. You are not broken. Your mind and body may be responding to experiences that were overwhelming.

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At Guided Path Counselling, PTSD and complex trauma therapy focuses on understanding those responses, developing greater regulation and safety, and helping you reconnect with your life.

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What is PTSD?

PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or frightening event.

Trauma can come from many experiences, including:

• Serious accidents or injuries

• Workplace incidents

• Assault or violence

• Sexual trauma

• Childhood trauma

• Sudden or traumatic loss

• Military or first-responder experiences

• Medical trauma

• Relationship violence

• Natural disasters or other life-threatening events

• Witnessing something traumatic happen to someone else

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and PTSD can look different from person to person.

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Common symptoms of PTSD

You may experience:

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Intrusive experiences

• Unwanted memories

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Distressing thoughts or images

• Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the trauma

 

Avoidance

• Avoiding people, places, activities, or conversations

• Trying not to think about what happened

• Staying busy or distracted to avoid difficult feelings

 

Changes in mood and thinking

• Feeling detached or emotionally numb

• Persistent fear, anger, sadness, guilt, or shame

• Difficulty trusting others

• Negative beliefs about yourself or the world

• Feeling hopeless about the future

 

Increased arousal and reactivity

• Feeling constantly on guard

• Being easily startled

• Irritability or anger

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sleep problems

• Feeling restless or unable to relax

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These symptoms can affect relationships, work, family life, and your ability to enjoy things that once mattered to you.

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What is Complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, can develop after experiencing prolonged or repeated trauma, particularly when a person has felt trapped, powerless, or unable to escape.

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It can include many of the symptoms associated with PTSD, while also affecting how you see yourself, manage emotions, and experience relationships.

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You may notice:

• Difficulty regulating emotions

• Low self-worth, shame, or self-blame

• Difficulty trusting others

• Relationship or boundary difficulties

• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body

• Difficulty feeling safe

• Feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to understand

You may find yourself wondering, “Why do I react this way?” or “Why can't I just move on?”

Understanding the impact of trauma can help these experiences make more sense.

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How PTSD Therapy Can Help

Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to understand your trauma responses and develop healthier ways of responding to stress and difficult emotions.

Our work may include:

• Understanding trauma and triggers

• Developing grounding and self-regulation skills

• Building a greater sense of safety

• Working with difficult thoughts and emotions

• Exploring relationship patterns and boundaries

• Developing greater connection with yourself

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Tammy uses an individualized, trauma-informed approach that may incorporate ACT, CBT, attachment-based therapy, mindfulness, nervous-system regulation, and body-based approaches.

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