Healing From Within: Understanding PTSD and the Journey to Recovery in Calgary, Alberta

Posted: February 5, 2025

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD can significantly affect an individual’s daily life, causing symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, or depression. The good news is that healing is possible with the right support from a compassionate trauma therapist in Calgary, Alberta. To begin healing from within, it’s important to understand PTSD and the path to recovery.

What Causes PTSD?

Trauma is deeply personal and affects each person differently. PTSD may stem from a single distressing event or develop over time due to repeated experiences. Some causes of PTSD include the following:

Physical or emotional abuse
Loss of a loved one
Sexual assault or violence
Military combat
Accidents
Childhood neglect or abandonment

For some individuals, PTSD symptoms appear immediately. However, for others, the condition can be delayed for months or even years after the event.

The Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms vary from person to person. A single traumatic event may impact someone differently than ongoing trauma, such as abuse or neglect. In addition, personal history, coping styles, biological factors, and social support systems can all influence how trauma symptoms appear. However, some common signs include:

Emotional numbness
Feelings of detachment
Hypervigilance or anxiety
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Nightmares and trouble sleeping
Avoiding people, places, or activities that trigger distressing memories

Evidence-based treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help clients process trauma and manage symptoms. These approaches allow individuals to regain control and move toward healing in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

Supporting You on Your Journey to Recovery

Healing from PTSD isn’t about forgetting the past—it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety and well-being. If you’ve experienced trauma, know that you’re not alone. At Atlas Psychology and Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, I provide heart-centered, relational care that honors your path to recovery. Please reach out to schedule an appointment and take the first step.