Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Find steady ground after trauma
At Authentic Living London, we help people who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD. If you have been through a disturbing or life threatening event and you still feel on edge, numb, or pulled back into the past, you are not “broken.” Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you, and with the right support it can learn to feel safe again.
Therapy for PTSD in London, Ontario
PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you’ve been strong for too long.
Siobhan McPartland is an experienced trauma therapist who specializes in grief and PTSD, including C-PTSD.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a set of symptoms that can happen after someone experiences or witnesses trauma. Trauma can include accidents, medical events, abuse, assault, war, sudden loss, and any event that overwhelms your ability to cope. PTSD is not a weakness. It is a normal response to an abnormal situation.
Some people also experience Complex PTSD, often called C PTSD, which can develop after repeated or ongoing trauma, such as childhood neglect or long term abuse.
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Common PTSD symptoms
You may have some, but not all, of the following:
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Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
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Feeling jumpy or on guard, trouble relaxing
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Avoiding places, people, or topics that remind you of what happened
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Strong guilt, shame, anger, or sadness
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Numbness, disconnection, or feeling unreal
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Trouble sleeping or concentrating
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Panic, rapid heart rate, or body tension
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Feeling like you are “back there” instead of “here and now”
If you notice these symptoms for more than a month, or they disrupt your work, school, or relationships, therapy can help.
Why PTSD feels the way it does
Trauma can push the nervous system into survival mode. Your brain’s alarm system becomes extra sensitive, which keeps you scanning for danger. Memories of the event can be stored in a raw and sensory way, without a full time stamp. That is why a sound, a smell, or a date can pull you into the past. Therapy helps your brain file these memories so they feel more like “something that happened” rather than “something that is happening.”
How therapy helps at Authentic Living London
Our team is trained in approaches that are gentle, evidence based, and paced to your comfort. We follow your nervous system, not the clock. Together we will:
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Build safety and stability, so your body learns that the present is safe
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Reduce the intensity of memories and triggers
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Grow skills for grounding, sleep, and emotional regulation
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Reconnect you with your values, relationships, and daily life
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Heal shame through understanding and compassion
What to expect in your first session
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We start with a warm welcome and a simple check in about what brings you to therapy now.
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You set goals for what you hope will be different in your life.
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We focus on safety. You never need to tell your full story unless you want to.
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You leave with at least one practical tool, such as a grounding exercise, a sleep tip, or a plan for handling triggers.
Is therapy right for me if I feel nervous?
Many people with PTSD feel unsure about starting therapy. You control the pace, and you can pause or slow down at any time. It is our job to help you feel safe and respected. If you feel overwhelmed during a session, we will shift to skills that bring your system back to calm.
Why choose Authentic Living London
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Specialized grief and trauma support. Our clinic was founded to support people through loss and hardship, with therapists who have lived understanding and specialized training.
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Compassion first. We believe that when people feel understood, shame loses its power.
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Flexible care. In person sessions in London, and secure virtual therapy across Ontario.
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Clear next steps. Practical tools, steady pacing, and a plan that fits your life.
PTSD therapy in London, Ontario
If you are searching for PTSD therapy London Ontario, trauma therapy London Ontario, or psychotherapy in London Ontario, we would be honoured to meet you. We offer daytime and evening appointments, and both short term and longer term care.
Book a free 15 minute consultation or schedule your first session today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trauma Therapy
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Do I have to talk about the trauma in detail?
No. We can focus on skills first, and only share details when you feel ready.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on your goals, the type of trauma, and how long symptoms have been present. Some people notice relief within a few sessions. Others choose longer support.
Can therapy make it worse?
Good trauma therapy is paced to prevent overwhelm. We will check in often and adjust to keep you within a window of comfort and growth.
Do you offer virtual therapy for PTSD?
Yes. We provide secure online sessions across Ontario.
Do you work with Complex PTSD?
Yes. We support C PTSD with a gentle, long term view that builds safety, skills, and connection over time.
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You do not have to carry this alone. Reach out, and let us walk with you.
Call, email, or book online for trauma and PTSD therapy in London, Ontario.
