Lantern Path Counselling
Cory Stevens, RCC
Trauma Counselling in Burnaby, BC
Traumatic experiences can leave your nervous system fatigued and on-edge, even in situations where you know you should feel safe. You might notice anxiety that won’t settle, physical tension, sleeping difficulties, or relationship patterns that leave you feeling discouraged and drained.
At Lantern Path Counselling, I offer trauma-informed counselling for adults navigating the lingering effects of painful, overwhelming experiences. Sessions are available in-person for residents of Burnaby and surrounding areas, as well as online for anyone living in British Columbia.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an experience that overwhelms your body’s and nervous system’s ability to cope. Trauma can come from a single event, chronic stressors, relational injuries, or growing up in environments where safety or emotional support might have been absent or unpredictable.
Trauma can take many forms. Below are some examples of single-incident traumas, but this is not a complete list:
- a car accident
- a house fire
- witnessing a serious injury or death of someone you care about
- being physically or sexually assaulted
- discovering a partner’s infidelity
- being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
- living through a natural disaster
Examples of longer-term, chronic, or complex trauma could include:
- ongoing childhood abuse
- long-term relational violence
- chronic neglect
- repeated bullying or harassment at school or in the workplace
- living in war-affected or unpredictable/dangerous environments
Whether trauma comes from a one-time incident or accumulating over years of more subtle strain, the impact tends to be that your nervous system starts to view the world, other people, and often even yourself as unsafe.
Are You Experiencing Trauma Responses?
Post-traumatic stress symptoms can include:
- Persistent anxiety
- Shame or self-criticism
- Difficulty trusting others
- Conflict in relationships
- Physical symptoms that don’t have a clear cause
- Emotional numbness or dissociation
- Overwhelm or panic reactions in response to trauma triggers
Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and you don’t need to have a diagnosis of PTSD to name something that you’ve experienced as traumatic, start to process it, and move into trauma recovery.
My Approach to Trauma Counselling
I offer trauma counselling services informed by polyvagal theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This approach helps you understand your nervous system responses in a way that releases you from negative feelings such as guilt and shame. We focus on building new patterns of safety and psychological flexibility. I also offer Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which is an evidence-based trauma processing modality.
I believe that counselling should always be a collaborative process. We center your choice and consent to start to heal nervous systems that have become sensitized by traumatic experiences. I don’t believe in forced exposure to trauma content – you don’t have to relive the details of what happened to you to understand how the echoes of trauma show up in your life today, or to find a path forward that releases you from the burden of chronic self-protection.
Reaching out for support around traumatic experiences is courageous. Over time, trauma counselling can help you reduce hypervigilance, soften self-criticism, improve emotional regulation, and restore a greater sense of safety in your relationships and daily life.
Many of the clients I work with are high-functioning, capable professionals who have learned to manage, perform, and push through difficult experiences. Trauma counselling can create space to slow down, understand patterns and vulnerability beneath the strength, and build a more sustainable sense of safety and self-trust.
How Do We Get Started?
My office is in Burnaby, BC, easily accessible from Vancouver, New Westminster, and Coquitlam. The address is 501-3292 Production Way, Burnaby, BC V5A 4R4. The office is right next to the Production-Way SkyTrain station on the Millennium Line. I also offer secure online counselling for clients anywhere in British Columbia.
If you are looking for trauma counselling in Burnaby that is open, non-judgmental, and collaborative, you are welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation. We can talk about what you’ve been experiencing and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. Book a free consultation here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma Counselling
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis to start trauma counselling?
No. Many people seek trauma counselling without a formal diagnosis. If something feels off to you, I trust that you know yourself. That is more than enough to seek support.
How long does trauma counselling take?
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and history. Some clients benefit from short-term structured work, while others choose longer-term support.
Is trauma counselling covered by insurance in BC?
With a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), sessions are often covered by extended health plans. Coverage varies by provider, so I recommend confirming your coverage first.
Ready to Talk?
I offer counselling online, via phone, or at my office in Burnaby. For online or phone counselling, I can provide services to anywhere within BC.
I offer in-person sessions on Saturdays at my office, which is next to the Production Way SkyTrain station on the Millennium Line. The address is 501 – 3292 Production Way. Street parking is available on the weekends.
For both online and in-person sessions, it’s easy to get started, with no commitment required. It’s important that you feel welcome and like we are a good fit before you decide anything.
You can give me a call or send an email to get started:
If you have any questions about my approach, focus areas, or how I can help you, please reach out! You are welcome to email or call me with times that work for you, and I can book a consultation session or a first session.
- Email: cory@lanternpath.ca
- Phone: (873) 503-2171
