Does OHIP cover trauma therapy in Ontario?

No — OHIP does not cover Registered Social Worker (RSW) services. However, most extended health benefit plans do cover RSW sessions. Many clients pay little to nothing out of pocket. Contact us before your first session to confirm your specific coverage.

How long does trauma therapy take?

It varies by the type and complexity of your trauma. Single-incident trauma often responds in 8–16 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes longer. Andrew will give you a realistic estimate after your initial assessment.

Do I have to describe my trauma in detail during sessions?

No. Especially with EMDR, you do not need to narrate your trauma in detail. You hold the memory in mind during processing, but you do not need to re-tell the story. Andrew will never push you to disclose more than feels safe.

What's the difference between trauma and PTSD?

PTSD is a specific clinical diagnosis with defined criteria. Trauma is broader — it refers to any experience that overwhelms your nervous system's capacity to cope. You can be significantly affected by trauma without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and Andrew works with both.

Is virtual trauma therapy as effective as in-person?

Yes. Research shows virtual therapy produces equivalent outcomes to in-person for trauma and PTSD. Some clients actually prefer the virtual setting — being in their own environment can feel safer and more grounding during processing work.

Trauma Therapy Scarborough | Garnet Counselling | Andrew Garnet MSW, RSW

What Is Trauma?

Trauma isn't just what happened to you — it's what happened inside you in response to it. It's the nervous system stuck in a state of threat, the brain that can't file the experience away as “over,” the body that carries what the mind tries to forget.

Trauma can come from a single overwhelming event — an accident, assault, loss, or medical emergency. It can also come from prolonged or repeated experiences: childhood neglect or abuse, years in a high-stress occupation, domestic violence, or growing up in an unstable environment. No two people's trauma looks exactly the same, even if their experiences were similar.

Signs You May Be Carrying Unprocessed Trauma

Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
Feeling “on guard” or easily startled even in safe situations
Emotional numbing or feeling disconnected from yourself or others
Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the experience
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Intense emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation
Physical tension, chronic pain, or unexplained symptoms
A persistent belief that you are broken, worthless, or in danger

Approaches Andrew Uses for Trauma

Andrew draws on several evidence-based modalities for trauma, choosing and combining them based on what suits you:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) — The gold standard for PTSD. Processes stuck traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation, resolving emotional distress without requiring you to describe the trauma in detail. Learn more about EMDR →

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy — Trauma lives in the body. This body-centred approach works with the physical sensations, posture, and movement patterns that hold trauma — alongside, not instead of, cognitive work.

CBT for Trauma (TF-CBT) — Addresses the negative beliefs trauma creates about yourself and the world, and helps you build more accurate, functional ways of thinking.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) — When trauma has shaped your identity and avoidance has become a way of life, ACT helps you reconnect with your values and build a meaningful life alongside whatever has happened.

Complex Trauma and C-PTSD

Some people experience what's called Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) — the result of prolonged, repeated trauma, often beginning in childhood or sustained over years. C-PTSD is characterized by difficulties regulating emotions, persistent negative self-perception, and challenges in relationships. It requires a careful, phased approach — Andrew is trained in this work and will not rush the process.

Who Trauma Therapy Is For

Andrew works with adults who have experienced any form of trauma, including:

Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or assault
Occupational trauma (first responders, military, healthcare)
Accidents, natural disasters, or sudden loss
Medical trauma and traumatic health events
Domestic violence or intimate partner violence
Witnessing violence or death
Systemic and historical trauma

Approaches Used

✓ EMDR
✓ Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
✓ Trauma-Focused CBT
✓ ACT
✓ DBT Skills

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OHIP cover trauma therapy in Ontario?: No — OHIP does not cover Registered Social Worker (RSW) services. However, most extended health benefit plans do cover RSW sessions. Many clients pay little to nothing out of pocket. Contact us before your first session to confirm your specific coverage.
How long does trauma therapy take?: It varies by the type and complexity of your trauma. Single-incident trauma often responds in 8–16 sessions. Complex or developmental trauma typically takes longer. Andrew will give you a realistic estimate after your initial assessment.
Do I have to describe my trauma in detail during sessions?: No. Especially with EMDR, you do not need to narrate your trauma in detail. You hold the memory in mind during processing, but you do not need to re-tell the story. Andrew will never push you to disclose more than feels safe.
What's the difference between trauma and PTSD?: PTSD is a specific clinical diagnosis with defined criteria. Trauma is broader — it refers to any experience that overwhelms your nervous system's capacity to cope. You can be significantly affected by trauma without meeting the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and Andrew works with both.
Is virtual trauma therapy as effective as in-person?: Yes. Research shows virtual therapy produces equivalent outcomes to in-person for trauma and PTSD. Some clients actually prefer the virtual setting — being in their own environment can feel safer and more grounding during processing work.

Trauma Therapy in Scarborough