Trauma Therapy in Chilliwack, BC

Heal From Trauma

and Feel Like Yourself Again

Trauma can leave lasting effects on your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. You may feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional numbness — even long after the difficult experience has passed.

At Inner Balance Solutions, our trauma-focused therapy helps you safely process painful experiences, regulate your nervous system, and move forward with greater peace, clarity, and resilience.

You don't have to carry the weight of trauma alone.

Healing is possible.

When Trauma Still Affects

Your Daily Life.

Many people believe they should “just move on” after difficult experiences. But trauma lives in the mind and the body, and it can show up in ways you may not expect.

Trauma Therapy may help if you experience:

  • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Avoiding certain places, memories, or situations
  • Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
  • Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships
  • Constant hyper-alertness or feeling “on edge”
  • Trouble sleeping or relaxing
  • Persistent negative thoughts about yourself
  • Flashbacks or intrusive memories

Anxiety or panic attacks

Avoiding certain places, memories, or situations

Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected

Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships

Constant hyper-alertness or feeling “on edge”

Trouble sleeping or relaxing

Persistent negative thoughts about yourself

Flashbacks or intrusive memories

 

These responses are not weaknesses. They are natural responses to overwhelming experiences.

Trauma-focused therapy helps you understand these reactions and gradually restore a sense of safety and control.

A Safe and Supportive Approach

To Healing

At the heart of trauma therapy is creating a space where you feel safe, understood, and empowered. Our approach is built on several key principles.

Safety First

Healing from trauma requires a space where you feel emotionally and physically safe. Therapy moves at your pace and respects your boundaries.

Understanding Trauma Responses

Reactions like avoidance, hypervigilance, or emotional shutdown are normal responses to trauma. Therapy helps reduce shame and build self-understanding.

Empowerment

You remain in control of your healing process. Your therapist works collaboratively with you to create a path that feels manageable and supportive.

Gentle Progress

Trauma therapy is never rushed. Sessions are designed to help you process experiences gradually without becoming overwhelmed.

Practical Skills for Daily Life

You’ll learn tools to regulate stress, manage emotions, and strengthen resilience so you feel more stable and confident outside of therapy.

Multiple Paths Forward

EMDR Therapy

You might have heard of EMDR as a therapy, but you’re unsure what it means. To begin with, EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and it’s an integrative therapy used specifically for clients who have experienced trauma and many other mental health issues. It has been proven very effective in dealing with these conditions.

Not every client requires EMDR therapy. Its use is based on every client’s needs and depends on their specific symptoms and timelines.

Multiple Paths Forward

OEI Therapy

One method we may use is Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI) therapy. OEI is a somatically-based psychotherapy that evolved from EMDR in the mid-1990s. It helps process trauma by engaging the brain’s visual pathways and nervous system.

Rather than relying solely on traditional talk therapy, OEI helps the brain integrate traumatic memories in a way that reduces distress and restores emotional balance.

Many clients find OEI particularly helpful because it allows healing to occur without needing to relive or repeatedly describe painful memories.

What OEI Therapy

Can Help With.

At the heart of trauma therapy is creating a space where you feel safe, understood, and empowered. Our approach is built on several key principles.

Post-traumatic stress
Anxiety and panic attacks
Trauma-related depression
Childhood trauma
Sexual violence recovery
Conflictual relationships
 
Eating disorders
AddictionsPhobias
Adoption or foster care related trauma
Performance anxiety
Negative self-talk and self-worth challenges
Grief and loss

What Healing

Can Look Like.

While every journey is unique, many people who engage in trauma therapy begin to notice:

Reduced anxiety and emotional overwhelm

Better emotional regulation

Improved sleep and relaxation

Greater confidence and self-trust

Healthier relationships

A renewed sense of calm and control

Our Trauma

Counselors

portrait of Terresa McKenzie clinic owner and registered social worker in Chilliwack

Currently not accepting new patients

Terresa McKenzie

portrait of Dean Pilkey counsellor in Chilliwack

Dean Pilkey (He/Him)

portrait of Corrin Skalbeck counsellor in Chilliwack

Corrin Skalbeck

portrait of Viana Ibrahim registered social worker in Chilliwack

Viana Ibrahim

portrait of Ashton goldthorp RSW

Ashton Goldthorp

portrait of Vanessa Viggiani, MC, RCC

Currently not accepting new patients

Vanessa Viggiani (She/Her)

Katelyn Pesut (she/her)

portrait of Tammy Pope clinical counsellor

Tammy Pope

portrait of Jen Dacre clinical counsellor

Jen Dacre

portrait of Deniz Shokati clinical counsellor

Deniz Shokati

portrait of Justin VanWinkoop clinical counsellor in chilliwack

Justin VanWinkoop

portrait of JJ Janzen, clinical counsellor in Chilliwack

JJ Janzen

headshot of laura park

Laura Park

portrait of Jessica Jawanda chilliwack counsellor

Jessica Jawanda

portrait of Stephen Horner clinical counsellor in chilliwack

Stephen Horner

portrait of Jessica Neal, BCCSW, OCSWSWW

Jessica Neal

Lynne Barisoff

portrait of Francine Douglas student counsellor

Francine Douglas

portrait of Chilliwack student counsellor antonio de santis

Antonio (Tony) De Santis

portrait of zahnil lal student counsellor

Zahnil Lal

Portrait of Shirley Thomas, Intern Counsellor

Shirley Thomas

Start Your

Healing Journey

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel difficult. But reaching out for support is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward healing.

Our therapists provide a compassionate and confidential environment where you can explore your experiences and begin building a healthier, more balanced life.

You deserve to feel safe, supported, and at peace again.