How to Find a Trauma Therapist in Toronto

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When we think of what “counts” as a traumatic experience, many of us think of the life-changing events that make news headlines (or the situations that characters face in any season finale of Grey’s Anatomy.)

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We don’t always realize that our day-to-day experiences, including painful breakups or the death of a loved one, can also be considered trauma.

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Any event that leaves our nervous system feeling shut down or overwhelmed can cause us to experience trauma – and can lead to symptoms that cause us fear, sadness, and shame.

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Although we may not always feel comfortable seeking support, if you think you need to talk to somebody, you’re probably right.

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Here at KMA, we know deciding to see a trauma therapist is a strong first step toward a better life. We also know how challenging it can be to find the right therapist for you.

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To help you find your best fit, we’ve curated a simple 5-step plan to find a trauma therapist in Toronto.

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After reading this article, you’ll understand what trauma therapists do, how to find a therapist within your budget, and what to look for when researching therapists.

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5 Steps for Finding a Trauma Therapist in Toronto

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Follow these five steps to learn more about trauma therapy, understand how it can fit into your budget, and find a great trauma therapist near you.

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1. Understand what trauma therapists do

You’ve decided you want to seek the support of a trauma therapist, but what do trauma therapists do?

Trauma therapy can vary from person to person. However, successful trauma therapy will provide a safe environment to process the traumatic events you’ve experienced.

Therapists will use techniques like Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support you in re-framing traumatic memories.

You might also benefit from medication to help alleviate accompanying symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Ultimately, trauma therapy can vary from person to person. However, successful trauma therapy will provide you with a safe environment to process past traumatic events that you’ve experienced to reduce their negative impact on your present life.

Now that you understand what trauma therapists do, you're ready to explore what type of trauma therapist might be best for you.

2. Explore the best type of trauma therapist for you

Different types of trauma therapists can offer you different types of support – for example, if you’re specifically seeking out medication-based therapy, you’ll want to find a psychiatrist (often with a referral from your doctor.)

Types of therapists who offer trauma counselling include:

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• Psychotherapists
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Counsellors

Regardless of what type of therapist is the best fit for you, know that working with trauma is a specialized area that requires extensive training.

Make sure that any potential therapist has extensive training and experience with trauma therapy.

After deciding what type of therapist may be your best match, consider how much the trauma therapy process will cost.

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3. Consider how therapy fits into your budget

We often associate therapy with a costly price tag - and unfortunately, most therapy services are not covered by OHIP.

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Search for affordable therapy options, like low-cost and sliding-scale therapy, through resources like the Affordable Therapy Network.

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If you have insurance through your workplace or school, this can make it easier to afford therapy. Your insurance plan will like cover many therapy options under Psychological Services.

When researching therapy offices, ask if they’ll take your specific insurance.

After looking into what therapy options work with your budget and insurance, you're ready to reach out to trauma therapists near you.

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4. Research the best trauma therapists near you

When finding a therapist in Toronto, you’ll want to consider how accessible they are, if they offer the kind of support you’re seeking, and if they have had success with clients facing similar challenges to yours.

When researching trauma therapists in Toronto, it can help to ask the following questions:

• Where are they located?
• Do they take your insurance?
• What types of therapy do they practice?
• Do they offer online and/or in-person sessions?
• Do they have any reviews or testimonials available?
• What trauma-specific training or credentials do they have?
• What experience do they have with clients who have experienced trauma?

Answering these questions will help you choose a trauma therapist who meets your needs.

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If you're interested in EMDR as a form of trauma therapy, start your search with our list of the Top 5 EMDR Therapists in Toronto.

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5. Start the trauma therapy process

After you’ve found a trauma therapist you want to work with, it’s time to take the final step and begin your trauma therapy process.

This step may seem like the least amount of work, but it can feel the most intimidating.

It can be helpful to remember that your trauma therapist is here to support you without judgement.

Trauma counselling is a journey, and your trauma therapist is there to guide you every step of the way.

At KMA, Trauma Counselling begins with a 50-minute introductory session to discuss your challenges and create a customized action plan. The introductory session costs $190. Your subsequent sessions will be 50-minutes in length and cost $245 per session.

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Next Steps to Finding a Trauma Therapist in Toronto

After reading this article, you understand the five steps to finding a trauma therapist in Toronto.

Here at KMA, we’ve been matching clients with their ideal therapists for 14 years and counting. We offer trauma therapy at five convenient locations across Toronto: Yonge and Eglinton, King West, Yorkville, Liberty Village, and Yonge and Sheppard, and we offer virtual counselling sessions for anyone in Ontario.

Book your introductory appointment today or contact our team to learn more.

If you’re not ready to book an appointment, read these resources for more information:

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• To learn more about therapy options, read: The 3 Best Types of Therapy for Trauma
• To explore what can cause trauma and what it looks like, read: How Do I Know if I Have Trauma?
• To learn about how your childhood experiences can affect you today, read: Five Healing Ways to Re-Parent Your Inner Child

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About the Author

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Emily Weatherhead has a Masters in Community Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, where her research focused on improving post-secondary student mental health. She is passionate about finding new ways to make mental health research more accessible and break down the barriers that prevent people from receiving mental health care.