Trauma Therapy Services at Northern Star Counselling

We understand that trauma can leave lasting imprints on both the mind and body. Whether it stems from a single distressing event or ongoing cumulative experiences, trauma can affect how you see yourself, others, and the world around you. It may manifest as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, flashbacks, or a sense of disconnection from your own body and relationships, all of which can be addressed through effective anxiety management strategies.

Trauma therapy offers a safe, supportive space to begin making sense of what has happened, at your own pace and in your own time. Our work focuses not on re-living painful experiences but on helping you feel safe in the present, reconnect with your body, and rebuild a sense of stability and self-trust. Additionally, we can integrate grief and loss therapy techniques to address any unresolved feelings that may arise during the healing process.

In therapy, we may explore ways to:

- Understand how trauma has affected your thoughts, emotions, and nervous system

- Develop grounding and self-regulation skills to manage triggers and overwhelm, which is essential for effective anxiety management

- Reconnect with your body and cultivate a sense of safety and control

- Work gently through memories or beliefs that continue to cause distress, utilizing neuro-affirmative therapy practices

- Foster self-compassion, empowerment, and post-traumatic growth, especially in areas like perinatal therapy if applicable

Our approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and guided by the principles of safety, choice, and collaboration. We recognize that healing from trauma is not linear and that trust takes time to build. You will never be rushed or pushed beyond what feels manageable.

At Northern Star Counselling, we believe that trauma does not define you. Healing is possible when you feel seen, supported, and empowered to reclaim your sense of self. Through compassionate connection and careful pacing, therapy can help you move from survival toward a greater sense of wholeness, grounding, and peace.

If you are ready to begin this journey, we are here to walk alongside you with care and understanding.

We celebrate neurodiversity and offer a neuro-affirmative therapy approach that values difference. Neuro-affirmative therapy recognizes that there is no single 'right' way to think, feel, or experience the world. Whether you identify as autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or otherwise neurodivergent, our work together begins from a place of respect, curiosity, and acceptance.

Many neurodivergent individuals come to therapy carrying the weight of misunderstanding, masking, or feeling as though they must fit into a world not designed with their needs in mind. Neuro-affirmative therapy provides a safe, validating space to explore these experiences, build self-understanding, and reconnect with personal strengths and authenticity. This is particularly important for those navigating anxiety management, as we can address how neurodivergence impacts emotional responses.

In our sessions, we may work together to:

- Explore identity, self-acceptance, and what being neurodivergent means for you

- Understand and reduce the impact of masking, burnout, or sensory overwhelm

- Develop emotional regulation and grounding strategies that honor your nervous system, which can also aid in grief and loss therapy

- Strengthen communication and relationships in ways that feel genuine and manageable

- Build confidence and self-compassion by embracing neurodivergent strengths

Our approach is person-centered, collaborative, and trauma-informed. We recognize that traditional therapeutic frameworks have often failed to meet the needs of neurodivergent people. At Northern Star Counselling, we work differently—by adapting therapy to suit you, rather than expecting you to adapt to therapy. This might mean offering flexible session structures, using visual supports, or creating space for movement or silence—whatever best supports your comfort and communication style.

Neuro-affirmative therapy is about helping you feel safe to be your full self, without judgment or pressure to change. Together, we aim to create a space where you can explore your story, celebrate your individuality, and move toward a life that feels aligned, authentic, and sustainable, whether you are seeking support for perinatal therapy or trauma therapy.

We recognize that grief is a deeply personal and often complex experience. It can arise not only from the death of a loved one but also from other forms of loss—such as miscarriage, relationship breakdown, illness, or the loss of identity, stability, or dreams for the future. Grief touches every part of our lives, and it can leave us feeling disoriented, numb, or overwhelmed. This can sometimes lead to anxiety, which is why anxiety management is an important aspect of healing. 

There is no "right" way to grieve. Everyone’s process is unique, and it often unfolds in waves—sometimes gentle, sometimes all-consuming. Grief and loss therapy provides a compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can talk openly about your loss, explore the emotions that accompany it, and begin to find a way to carry your grief with greater ease.

In counseling, including neuro-affirmative therapy, we can work together to:

- Understand and honor your unique grief process

- Explore feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or confusion

- Support you in adjusting to life after loss

- Reconnect with meaning, purpose, and hope in your own time

- Create space to remember and integrate your loss into your ongoing life story

Our approach is gentle, person-centered, and trauma-informed. We move at your pace, offering a safe space for both silence and expression—whatever feels right for you in the moment. Grief is not something to be "fixed" or "moved on from," but something to be witnessed, understood, and held with care. At Northern Star Counseling, we aim to walk alongside you as you navigate your own path through loss, helping you find moments of light and connection as you begin to heal.

If you are struggling with grief or loss, you do not have to face it alone. Support is available, and healing—though slow—becomes possible when you feel truly seen and heard. Our perinatal therapy services are also available for those who have experienced loss during pregnancy. Let us help you in your journey through grief and trauma therapy.

We understand that pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can be a time of profound change; emotionally, physically, and psychologically. While it can bring moments of joy and connection, it can also stir feelings of anxiety, sadness, overwhelm, or uncertainty. Our perinatal therapy offers a compassionate space to explore and make sense of these experiences.

Our perinatal counselling service supports individuals and couples through all stages of the perinatal journey, from conception, pregnancy, and birth to the postnatal period and beyond. Whether you are navigating fertility challenges, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, perinatal anxiety or depression, or the complex transition into parenthood, our therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for anxiety management, grief and loss therapy, and trauma therapy, helping you feel heard and supported.

Perinatal therapy at Northern Star Counselling focuses on helping you:

- Process emotional and psychological changes related to pregnancy and parenthood

- Explore identity shifts and relationship dynamics

- Manage anxiety, low mood, or intrusive thoughts

- Address experiences of grief, loss, or trauma

- Develop self-compassion and strengthen emotional resilience

Our approach is person-centred and trauma-informed, recognising the unique story and needs of every parent. We work gently and collaboratively, offering space for reflection, healing, and growth. For many, therapy during this time becomes an anchor—a place to pause, reconnect, and find steadiness amidst the challenges of early parenthood.

If you are finding this period more difficult than expected, you do not have to navigate it alone. Our perinatal therapy can help you feel more grounded, supported, and understood as you move through this transformative chapter of life, including aspects of neuro-affirmative therapy to ensure everyone’s experience is acknowledged.

We understand how overwhelming anxiety can feel. It can show up in many ways—racing thoughts, a constant sense of unease, difficulty sleeping, tension in the body, or an ongoing feeling that something isn’t quite right. For some, anxiety feels like a persistent hum in the background; for others, it can be all-consuming and exhausting. 

Anxiety often develops as our mind and body’s way of coping with stress, uncertainty, or past experiences. While it can be a normal part of life, it can also become intrusive, limiting your confidence, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Therapy, including anxiety management techniques, offers a safe and supportive space to explore the root of your anxiety and to develop tools to manage it more effectively. 

In counselling, we work together to: 

- Understand what triggers your anxiety and how it affects your thoughts, emotions, and body. 

- Learn grounding and relaxation techniques to regulate your nervous system. 

- Challenge self-critical or fear-based thinking patterns. 

- Build emotional resilience and confidence in managing daily stressors. 

- Reconnect with a sense of calm, safety, and balance. 

Our approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to your individual needs. We draw on evidence-based practices such as person-centred and mindfulness-based techniques, while incorporating trauma therapy and maintaining a trauma-informed and holistic perspective. Additionally, for those navigating grief and loss, we offer specialized grief and loss therapy to address these unique challenges. 

At Northern Star Counselling, we believe anxiety is not a sign of weakness—it’s a signal that something within you is seeking care and understanding. With the right support, including neuro-affirmative therapy, it is possible to quiet the noise, regain control, and move towards a calmer, more fulfilling life. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or trapped in cycles of worry, therapy can help you find steadiness and breathe more easily again. You don’t have to face it alone. For expectant or new parents, our perinatal therapy services can also provide essential support during this transformative time.

We understand how easily stress can build up and begin to feel unmanageable. Modern life often asks us to balance multiple responsibilities—work, family, relationships, finances—and it can feel as though there’s little room to pause or breathe. Over time, this constant state of pressure can lead to overwhelm, fatigue, irritability, and even physical symptoms such as tension, headaches, or disrupted sleep.

Stress is a normal human response to life’s demands, but when it becomes persistent, it can impact our emotional and physical wellbeing. Therapy offers a space for anxiety management, allowing you to slow down, reflect, and explore the sources of your stress. Together, we can begin to understand how it affects your mind and body, and develop healthy ways to manage it before it leads to burnout.

In therapy, we can work together to:

- Identify patterns of over-responsibility, perfectionism, or people-pleasing that contribute to overwhelm

- Explore emotional, relational, or situational triggers for stress

- Learn grounding and relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system

- Build healthy boundaries and restore balance between “doing” and “being”

- Reconnect with your own needs, values, and sense of self

Our approach is compassionate, person-centred, and trauma-informed, incorporating elements of trauma therapy. We move at your pace, creating a calm and supportive environment where you can begin to feel grounded again. Stress often tells us we must keep going—but therapy invites you to pause, to listen inwardly, and to respond with care rather than pressure.

At Northern Star Counselling, we believe that managing stress isn’t about doing more—it’s about finding space to be. Through gentle reflection, practical coping strategies, and emotional support, including grief and loss therapy and neuro-affirmative therapy, therapy can help you rediscover balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of calm in your daily life. Additionally, we offer perinatal therapy to support individuals during significant life transitions.