Therapeutic Approaches
Evidence-based therapy for trauma, anxiety, OCD, low mood, and emotional wellbeing in Victoria, BC and online across British Columbia
At Resilient Roots Counselling in Victoria, BC, our therapists offer evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals. Our work is informed by advanced training therapies such as Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Narrative Therapy. We take a client-centered, compassionate approach, supporting nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic Experiencing is a body-based therapeutic approach that supports the nervous system in processing and resolving trauma and chronic stress. Rather than focusing on only thoughts or memories, SE helps clients develop greater awareness of bodily sensations, safety cues, and regulation skills.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Chronic stress and overwhelm
- Anxiety and nervous system regulation
How it may support you:
- Builds a greater sense of safety in the body
- Gently releases held survival responses (fight/flight/freeze)
- Increases resilience and capacity to cope
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a well-researched, evidence based therapy used to help process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. It support’s the brain’s natural ability to reprocess memories that may be “stuck” and continue to cause emotional distress, triggers, or patterns of avoidance.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Childhood experiences
- Medical trauma and accidents
How it may support you:
- Reduces emotional intensity of distressing memories
- Decreases triggers and reactivity
- Helps past experiences feel less overwhelming in the present
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) - for OCD & Anxiety
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and certain anxiety conditions. In a collaborative and paced way, exposure is introduced to feared thoughts, images, or situations while reducing compulsive behaviours that keep the cycle going.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Checking and reassurance-seeking
- Contamination fears, harm-related fears
- Relationship OCD
How it may support you:
- Reduces the grip of compulsions
- Builds tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
- Increases confidence in coping with anxiety
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT is a structured, evidence-based approach that explores the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. CBT helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and develop more supportive ways of responding to life’s challenges.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Anxiety and worry
- Depression and low mood
- Stress and emotional overwhelm
- Builds practical coping and problem-solving skills
- Increases awareness of unhelpful thought patterns
- Strengthens a sense of agency and self-efficacy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy that supports people in developing practical skills for managing intense emotions, reducing distress, and improving relationships. It can be especially helpful for individuals who feel overwhelmed by emotions or stuck in reactive patterns.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Intense or rapidly shifting emotions
- Emotional overwhelm or distress
- Difficulty regulating feelings
- Relationship challenges
- Impulsivity or self-critical patterns
- Strengthens emotional regulation skills
- Builds distress tolerance and grounding tools
- Supports mindfulness and present-moment awareness
- Improves communication and interpersonal effectiveness
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy supports people in exploring the stories they carry about themselves, their lives, and their challenges. This approach helps separate the person from the problem, allowing space for compassion, agency and choice.
This approach can be helpful for:
- Life transitions and identity exploratoin
- Shame and self-criticism
- Long-standing patterns that no longer fit
How it may support you:
- Reconnects you with values, strengths, and meaning
- Encourages agency and preferred ways of living
- Supports a more compassionate and empowered self-narrative
Finding the right therapeutic approach can feel overwhelming. You don't have to navigate it alone.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we can explore together what approaches and supports may feel the most helpful for you. If you’re curious about how therapy might support you, we welcome you to contact us or book in a free 15-minute consultation.