Online Counselling for Medical Trauma in British Columbia
Medical trauma is defined as a set of physical and psychological responses to distressing experiences such as pain, serious illness, or invasive medical procedures. Our bodies naturally avoid pain, but in medical settings, we often endure distressing situations that go against our instincts, impacting the nervous system. Additionally, when reports of pain are dismissed or invalidated, it can leave individuals feeling unsafe and unsupported. These experiences may create lasting anxiety or panic about future medical situations, even those unrelated to the initial trauma.
Medical trauma can also involve confronting fears about mortality or the health of loved ones, leading to avoidance of important medical care. Those managing severe health issues often feel isolated, especially when their support networks change how they interact, making the journey feel even lonelier.
At The Commons Wellness Collective, we take your pain seriously. We see pain as a way your body is trying to communicate about something that needs attention. Ignoring or suppressing pain can increase tension and stress, amplifying discomfort. We want to support you in providing the space you need to process the trauma that you’ve experienced in relation to needing medical help. For those with chronic illnesses, avoiding medical environments isn't an option, so processing trauma safely is essential for accessing the care you need. Our trauma-informed approach supports you in navigating this complex journey toward healing and a better quality of life.
Common Signs of Medical Trauma
There are several indicators that you have experienced medical trauma, including but not limited to:
Anxiety related to visiting medical facilities
Avoidance of medical professionals
Digestive issues
Hypervigilance
Flashbacks
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbances
High startle response
Emotional numbing
Fearfulness
Intrusive thoughts, memories, or nightmares related to the medical event
If you’ve experienced these symptoms for more than a month following a medical event, your body may have registered it as trauma. Even common experiences, such as childbirth, can be traumatic. Additionally, systemic issues like racism, sexism, and other forms of unconscious bias in medical environments can increase the likelihood of experiencing medical trauma.
Impact on Daily Life
Unaddressed medical trauma can significantly affect long-term health. Avoiding doctor visits or medical care can lead to minor issues becoming serious, increasing pain and reinforcing fear of future procedures. This pattern may also extend to daily self-care activities, such as dental hygiene or addressing minor ailments, ultimately impacting overall health outcomes.
Medical trauma can affect more than just physical health—it can influence finances, relationships, and personal identity. After a crisis, finding a sense of “normal” life can be challenging, particularly for those managing chronic or lifelong health conditions.
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Therapeutic Approaches
One of the most important considerations when seeking therapy for medical trauma is finding a practitioner who will not further stigmatize or traumatize you. With the right support, you can gently explore the impact of your experience and create space to connect with the emotions you've been holding—fear, anger, injustice, and grief. All of these need to be processed. At the Commons Wellness Collective, we are trained in AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), a therapeutic approach that helps access and release the emotional responses stored in the body. This process brings resolution, clarity, and context for what comes next. You don’t need to keep striving for healing alone.
In order to heal wounds that result from not having the secure attachment needed in childhood, we need a chance to experience something corrective. This can occur through relationships we have as adults, including those with our therapists. AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) therapists emphasize the importance of showing up as authentic human beings. In this safe environment, clients can practice secure attachment, experiment with new behaviours, and envision healthier dynamics for other areas of their lives.
Our Commitment to Compassionate Care
At the Commons Wellness Collective, many of us have personal experience navigating health concerns, medical traumas, and chronic illness. We understand how isolating these experiences can be and how invalidating the medical system may feel. We want you to know that we see you and are here to support you. Your journey matters, and you deserve compassionate care as you navigate what comes next.
Please reach out if you need support, we would love to be there for you.