top of page
default-hero.png

Transforming Traumas

Learn from a trained mental health professional all about trauma, its effects and how to cope.

Have you been replaying the stressful event you went through over and over in your head? Are people telling you that you seem different or not yourself? Do you feel like your emotions are all over the place and hard to control?


After traumas happen to us or around us, our brains and bodies can respond in very significant ways that cause us to feel like we have lost ourselves. The Transforming Traumas course, while not to be substituted for actual therapy, can help you understand what is happening to you and will provide you with a set of strategies to help you cope with some of those changes. As you work through the modules: Trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, addictions, and posttraumatic growth; you will learn the latest research on how we understand these subjects as well as concrete tools to help you navigate each of these areas.

Transforming Traumas.jpg

Have you been replaying the stressful event you went through over and over in your head? Are people telling you that you seem different or not yourself? Do you feel like your emotions are all over the place and hard to control?


After traumas happen to us or around us, our brains and bodies can respond in very significant ways that cause us to feel like we have lost ourselves. The Transforming Traumas course, while not to be substituted for actual therapy, can help you understand what is happening to you and will provide you with a set of strategies to help you cope with some of those changes. As you work through the modules: Trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, addictions, and posttraumatic growth; you will learn the latest research on how we understand these subjects as well as concrete tools to help you navigate each of these areas.

Trauma Module:

​

Many clients have come to therapy after facing a trauma unable to understand some of the reactions that they are experiencing. Trauma has pervasive effects on our brains and bodies and it is important for us to understand what is happening so that we can decrease our fears around what are often biologically rooted reactions and so that we can properly use strategies that will help us regulate those systems. In this module we will cover what trauma is, how we regulate our minds and bodies, and what types of therapies have been recommended for the treatment of trauma.

​

Anxiety Module:

​

It can come as a surprise when you hear your health care providers say that anxiety is not something we want to get rid of. Anxiety is actually critically important to us: it keeps us safe and alert. The problem is when our anxiety becomes too much and prevents us from engaging in the world in a healthy way. This module will talk about what anxiety is, how we can tell if it is becoming too much, and what we can do to regulate it if it is.

​

Depression Module:

​

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability throughout the world. In fact, it is estimated that about 5% of the adult population suffers from such. While depression shares many characteristics with sadness, the illness is far more than that. This module will cover what depression really is and how we can start to change some of our thoughts and behaviours to promote healing from it.

​

Grief and Loss Module:

​

From the time we are young, we are regularly given messages regarding how we get certain things in life but it is very rare that we are taught, at least in Western culture, what to do when we lose something. All of a sudden, we can be overwhelmed with tidal waves of emotion and we feel lost because we may have been told to just “move on” by others. This session will introduce you to the concept of grief, cover some of the theories that attempt to explain grief, and educate you on strategies that you can use to cope with the giant waves of feeling.

​

Interpersonal Relationships Module:

​

We all know the value of love and support but can you confidently say that you know how these feelings develop and how to get things back on track if the relationship has been ruptured? This module will teach you about attachment theory, the different types of intimacy in relationships and will provide you with strategies to promote healthy and secure relationships.

 

Addictions Module:

​

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, people with a mental illness (including PTSD, anxiety or depression) are twice as likely to have a substance use disorder when compared to someone without mental health concerns. The prevalence of substance use alongside another mental health disorder can also make recovery that much harder. This module will walk you through a history of how addictions have been understood, including the most recent changes in the field, and will introduce you to a values based strategy that can be very helpful for people who are trying to make healthier choices for themselves.

 

Posttraumatic Growth Module:

​

Posttraumatic growth is a newer topic in the psychology field and refers to the concept of people undergoing positive changes or development after experiencing a traumatic event. It can seem like a far away idea for people who are currently struggling with the effects of trauma however, research indicates that a significant chunk of people do get there. This module will explore what posttraumatic growth is and what it can look like, as well as provide an opportunity for you to reflect on what changes you have made and where you see your future going.

 

Your Instructor

Samantha Dover.jpg

Samantha Dover

​Samantha Dover, M.C. is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Edmonton, AB. Prior to working in the psychotherapy field, Sam spent 5 years working for the Zebra Child Protection Centre where she was front line supporting families affected by child abuse. Because of this, Sam has spent the last few years investing in research and training to allow her to specialize in treating those who have experienced loss or other traumatic events. In addition to her clinical practice, Sam also has webinars available through the Institute of Child Psychology and she is an associate faculty member at the City University of Seattle. Sam has also presented in various international conferences and has participated in numerous media appearances.

To book an appointment, please call 780-423-5316, email info@wardpsychological.com or click here to book online.

bottom of page