In additional to various talk therapies and counselling services, our team provides a diverse range of individual and group-based experiential interventions. These services are specifically targeted at individuals who are already receiving services from the Trauma Centre with one of our therapists. The purpose of our experiential approaches is to complement and enhance convention approaches to treatment.
At various times throughout the year, we offer the programs listed below. Click here for a list of upcoming events.
ART THERAPY
Art therapy is a health service profession that is founded upon psychological theory and clinical research. Art therapy can help people express emotions and fears that may be challenging to express through conventional means, and can provide some sense of control and empowerment over these feelings. It is a combination of psychotherapy and creative expression. The role of the art therapist is to support and witness the creative process of the client in a safe and secure environment and assist in providing insight leading to personal transformation and change.
Canadian Art Therapy Association: Click here
Ontario Art Therapy Association: Click here
ART THERAPY
Art therapy is a health service profession that is founded upon psychological theory and clinical research. Art therapy can help people express emotions and fears that may be challenging to express through conventional means, and can provide some sense of control and empowerment over these feelings. It is a combination of psychotherapy and creative expression. The role of the art therapist is to support and witness the creative process of the client in a safe and secure environment and assist in providing insight leading to personal transformation and change.
Canadian Art Therapy Association: Click here
Ontario Art Therapy Association: Click here
EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY
Equine Facilitated Therapy provides experiential interactions with horses that allow participants to gain greater self-awareness and understanding. Horses are able to sense a busy mind, unacknowledged thoughts and feelings as well as reveal involuntary responses. Through reflection, therapist and participant develop new coping strategies; identify personal space and non-verbal communication to establish and maintain healthier boundaries; experience a connection without any expectations or judgement; and increase mindfulness, self-awareness and intuitive knowing. No prior experiences with horses is necessary.
FEEL Alumni: Click here
Equine Facilitated Therapy provides experiential interactions with horses that allow participants to gain greater self-awareness and understanding. Horses are able to sense a busy mind, unacknowledged thoughts and feelings as well as reveal involuntary responses. Through reflection, therapist and participant develop new coping strategies; identify personal space and non-verbal communication to establish and maintain healthier boundaries; experience a connection without any expectations or judgement; and increase mindfulness, self-awareness and intuitive knowing. No prior experiences with horses is necessary.
FEEL Alumni: Click here
YOGA FOR TRAUMA AND MENTAL HEALTH
A sensitive approach to the practice of yoga, with a focus on balancing emotions. Healing whether physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual needs to address issues of the mind and body. True healing is integrative. Yoga is not a system of exercises. Rather, it is understood as a state of being in unity with the self, others, nature and the world. This yoga program, in conjunction with our psychotherapy program, focuses on the mindful use of breath and movement through poses to support the creation of balance, strength and flexibility in mind, body and emotions. Yoga is adaptable to assist in coping with a wide range of symptoms (anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, physical pain) to release emotional and physical tension and distress in the body. No prior yoga experience necessary.
Trauma Sensitive Yoga: Click here
Yoga International: Click here
A sensitive approach to the practice of yoga, with a focus on balancing emotions. Healing whether physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual needs to address issues of the mind and body. True healing is integrative. Yoga is not a system of exercises. Rather, it is understood as a state of being in unity with the self, others, nature and the world. This yoga program, in conjunction with our psychotherapy program, focuses on the mindful use of breath and movement through poses to support the creation of balance, strength and flexibility in mind, body and emotions. Yoga is adaptable to assist in coping with a wide range of symptoms (anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, physical pain) to release emotional and physical tension and distress in the body. No prior yoga experience necessary.
Trauma Sensitive Yoga: Click here
Yoga International: Click here
THERAPEUTIC GARDENING
Planting and tending a garden is a metaphor for honoring and caring for the self. Creating one’s own garden is an empowering and hopeful act. Research shows that regular involvement in horticultural activities or exposure to nature results in cognitive, psychological, social, and physical benefits. No prior gardening experience necessary. Beginning and seasoned gardeners welcome. This group will include mindfulness practices, strategies for calming and self regulation, art therapy and movement in a safe and supportive environment.
American Horticultural Therapy Association: Click here
Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association: Click Here
Planting and tending a garden is a metaphor for honoring and caring for the self. Creating one’s own garden is an empowering and hopeful act. Research shows that regular involvement in horticultural activities or exposure to nature results in cognitive, psychological, social, and physical benefits. No prior gardening experience necessary. Beginning and seasoned gardeners welcome. This group will include mindfulness practices, strategies for calming and self regulation, art therapy and movement in a safe and supportive environment.
American Horticultural Therapy Association: Click here
Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association: Click Here
FIRST RESPONDER SUPPORT GROUPS
This specialized support program is for emergency services personnel to focus on PTSD and other co-morbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Each 12 week program is specialized for each emergency responder profession. These groups are an effective way to provide a comfort level for treatment where participants gain acceptance and reduce the stigma around mental health. Clients are among peers and facilitation of group topics is led by a clinician to ensure safety and that treatment goals are met.
This specialized support program is for emergency services personnel to focus on PTSD and other co-morbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Each 12 week program is specialized for each emergency responder profession. These groups are an effective way to provide a comfort level for treatment where participants gain acceptance and reduce the stigma around mental health. Clients are among peers and facilitation of group topics is led by a clinician to ensure safety and that treatment goals are met.
MINDFULLNESS 101
In recent decades, researchers have been learning that Mindfulness not only helps us live healthier lives, but reduces emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and anger; helps with sleep difficulties; improves concentration, memory, and immune system function; and generates changes in our brain that helps to counteract the problems in thinking we start to experience as we age. This program will assist you to understand that mindfulness is and how it can help with depression, anxiety, anger, chronic pain, low self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder and other emotional difficulties. Practical mindfulness exercises and other concrete skills are taught to assist in improving the quality of life. Mindfulness 101 is offered two to three times yearly and is open to individuals aged 16 and over. Click here
In recent decades, researchers have been learning that Mindfulness not only helps us live healthier lives, but reduces emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and anger; helps with sleep difficulties; improves concentration, memory, and immune system function; and generates changes in our brain that helps to counteract the problems in thinking we start to experience as we age. This program will assist you to understand that mindfulness is and how it can help with depression, anxiety, anger, chronic pain, low self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder and other emotional difficulties. Practical mindfulness exercises and other concrete skills are taught to assist in improving the quality of life. Mindfulness 101 is offered two to three times yearly and is open to individuals aged 16 and over. Click here
Our team provides interventions including education, training, stress management, and other therapeutic supports to emergency response teams following critical incidents. These interventions include a structured approach to supporting emergency responders in an effort to reduce the potential immediate and long term impact of trauma.