Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are considering therapy for the first time or looking for the right fit, we want you to feel informed and at ease. Below you will find answers to the questions we hear most often. If you have something specific on your mind that is not covered here, please reach out — we are happy to help.

Getting Started

What services do you offer?

CK Mental Health & Trauma Therapy Centre offers registered psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and children ages 6 and up. Our services include:

•       Individual therapy for adults, adolescents, and children

•       Couples therapy

•       Family therapy

•       Single Session Therapy for those seeking focused, one-time support

•       Our structured Post Traumatic Stress & Emotion Dysregulation Program for complex trauma

We offer in-person sessions at our Chatham and Blenheim locations, as well as secure virtual therapy for clients across Ontario.

Is therapy available virtually?

Yes. We offer secure virtual therapy services across all of Ontario. Virtual therapy allows you to access trauma-informed, evidence-based care from the comfort and privacy of your own home, without any compromise to clinical quality or confidentiality. All you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection.

What happens in a first session?

Your first session is primarily about getting to know you. Your therapist will take time to understand your history, what has brought you to therapy, and what you are hoping to work toward. There is no pressure to share more than you are comfortable with — we move at your pace.

The first session also gives you the opportunity to get a sense of your therapist and ask any questions you have about the approach or the process. A good therapeutic relationship is the foundation of effective therapy, and we take that seriously.

How do I book an appointment?

You can reach us through the contact form on our website, by email at admin@cktraumatherapycentre.ca, or by phone at 519-809-7971. Our office coordinator Laura will be in touch within one business day to help match you with the right therapist and get you scheduled.

Understanding Therapy

What is trauma therapy?

Trauma therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic or overwhelming experiences. Trauma is not just a psychological experience — it lives in the body, affects the nervous system, and can shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others long after the original events have passed.

At CK Mental Health & Trauma Therapy Centre, trauma therapy may include approaches such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), and other evidence-based, trauma-informed methods. Treatment is always paced to support nervous system safety and integration, meaning we never push faster than your system can comfortably move.

How do I know if I need trauma therapy?

You may benefit from trauma therapy if you experience any of the following:

•       Persistent anxiety, worry, or hypervigilance

•       Emotional overwhelm or emotional numbness

•       Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares

•       Difficulty trusting or connecting in relationships

•       Chronic stress or a nervous system that feels stuck on high alert

•       A history of childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, or significant life stressors

•       Physical symptoms that seem connected to stress or emotional pain

It is worth knowing that not all trauma is obvious. Many people come to therapy for anxiety, depression, or relationship concerns, and later discover that trauma-related patterns are at the root. You do not need a formal diagnosis or a dramatic history to benefit from trauma-informed care.

What issues can individual therapy help with?

Individual therapy at our centre can support a wide range of concerns, including:

•       Trauma and complex PTSD

•       Anxiety, panic attacks, and chronic worry

•       Depression and mood disorders

•       ADHD and emotional regulation challenges

•       Grief and loss

•       Relationship difficulties and attachment wounds

•       Disordered eating and body image concerns

•       Addiction and substance use

•       Stress and burnout

•       Life transitions and identity concerns

•       OCD and intrusive thoughts

•       Self-esteem and shame

Therapy is collaborative and tailored to your goals, with an emphasis on safety, regulation, and sustainable healing.

How long does therapy take?

The length of therapy varies depending on your goals, the nature of what you are working through, and how your nervous system responds to treatment. Some clients come for short-term support around a specific issue and find meaningful relief in a handful of sessions. Others engage in longer-term work to support deeper trauma processing and lasting nervous system change.

Your therapist will discuss pacing and goals with you openly, and you are always in control of the direction and timeline of your care.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything you share in therapy is strictly confidential. Your therapist will not disclose information about you without your written consent, with very limited legal exceptions — specifically, if there is imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else, or if records are subpoenaed by a court.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and private therapeutic environment, and we will always discuss the limits of confidentiality with you in your first session.

Our Therapy Approaches

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they become less emotionally charged and better integrated into your overall life experience.

During EMDR, your therapist will guide you through a series of bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements — while you hold a distressing memory in mind. This process supports the brain in completing its natural processing of difficult experiences. EMDR is one of the most well-researched trauma treatments available, and we offer it both in person in Chatham-Kent and virtually across Ontario.

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a body-based trauma therapy that works with the connection between eye position and stored emotional experience. The premise is simple but powerful: where you look affects how you feel. By identifying specific eye positions that activate stored trauma — called brainspots — your therapist can support the brain and body in processing what has been held there.

Brainspotting does not require you to talk through every detail of what happened, which many clients find to be a significant relief. It is particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, grief, shame, and experiences that are difficult to put into words.

What is the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting?

Both EMDR and Brainspotting are evidence-based, body-informed trauma therapies that work beneath the level of conscious narrative. The key differences are in structure and approach.

EMDR follows a more defined protocol with specific phases of treatment, making it a highly structured approach. Brainspotting tends to be more flexible and deeply somatic — it works closely with body sensation and is often described as a more open-ended, organically paced process.

Neither approach is universally better than the other. Your therapist will work with you to determine which is the best fit based on your history, nervous system, and treatment goals. In some cases, both may be integrated into your care.

What is IFS and TIST?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a parts-based therapy that understands the mind as made up of different internal parts, each with its own feelings, beliefs, and protective roles. Many of these parts develop in response to difficult experiences. IFS therapy involves building a compassionate relationship with your inner system, helping parts feel safe enough to release the burdens they carry.

Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) builds on IFS principles and is specifically designed for individuals with complex trauma and dissociative experiences. It integrates parts work with somatic awareness and mindfulness to support stabilization and grounded healing.

Do you work with first responders or individuals with complex trauma?

Yes. We have experience supporting first responders, healthcare workers, and individuals in high-stress professions who are navigating the cumulative effects of occupational trauma, moral injury, and chronic nervous system dysregulation. We also work with individuals experiencing complex PTSD, developmental trauma, and dissociative symptoms.

Our clinicians are trained in trauma-informed approaches that account for the specific ways complex and occupational trauma presents, and we take a paced, individualized approach to treatment.

What is the Post Traumatic Stress & Emotion Dysregulation Program?

Our Integrated Post Traumatic Stress & Emotion Dysregulation Program is a structured, four-phase treatment program designed for individuals experiencing the complex effects of trauma and emotional dysregulation. It recognizes that trauma is not just psychological — it lives in the body, affects the nervous system, and impacts every area of daily life.

The four phases include: individualized assessment and intake, psychoeducation and stabilization, trauma processing, and integration and maintenance. The program integrates evidence-based modalities including Brainspotting and EMDR, and for eligible clients may also incorporate somatic therapies such as cold plunge, sauna, and float therapy to support nervous system regulation.

The program is always individualized and always moves at the natural pace of your nervous system — we do not rush healing.

Fees & Insurance

How much does therapy cost?

Our session fees vary depending on the type of session and the clinician. Please visit our Fees page for current rates. We are committed to making therapy as accessible as possible and offer a Sliding Scale Program for clients who require financial accommodation.

Is therapy covered by insurance?

Many extended health benefit plans cover registered psychotherapy. Coverage varies depending on your specific plan and provider. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm whether registered psychotherapy is covered and whether there are any limits on the amount or number of sessions.

Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists (RP) or Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which is the designation most commonly recognized by insurance providers in Ontario.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Yes. We offer a sliding scale fee program for clients who are experiencing financial hardship. We believe that access to quality trauma therapy should not be determined by financial circumstance. Please reach out to us directly to discuss your situation — all conversations are handled with care and confidentiality.

Still have questions? We would love to hear from you.

Reach us at admin@cktraumatherapycentre.ca or 519-809-7971. Our team will respond within one business day.