TRAUMA INFORMED COUNSELLING with Siena
Here for you when life feels heavy — with compassion, respect, and care.
Healing is possible
Hello, I’m Siena.
The path of my own healing has inspired me to support others who have experienced trauma, and I know first-hand that healing is possible.
My work is grounded in what I’ve found most valuable — both through my personal journey and through many years of experience with clients.
I offer gentle, trauma-informed counselling that respects your pace and helps you find safety, stability, and hope again.
The Journey We Will Take together
Safety and stabilization
Safety and stabilization
Safety and stabilization
First, you’ll begin to
understand yourself more deeply.
You’ll learn how to calm your nervous system
and feel safer in your own skin.
Together, we’ll focus on emotional regulation, grounding tools,
and building a sense of inner safety —
so that life no longer feels overwhelming.
Healing
Safety and stabilization
Safety and stabilization
When you feel ready,
we’ll begin to gently process the impact of past relationships and traumatic experiences.
Together, we’ll explore attachment wounds and old survival patterns,
bringing understanding and compassion to the parts of you that have been hurt.
Growth
Safety and stabilization
Growth
Being a trauma survivor doesn’t mean
you’re meant to stay in survival mode.
With stability and healing as your foundation,
you can begin to build deeper relationships,
grow in self-confidence,
and create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.
How past trauma can show up in the present
MANY OF THE CHALLENGES YOU EXPERIENCE NOW MAY HAVE BEGUN AS WAYS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE DIFFICULT TIMES.
- Anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance
When the world once felt unpredictable or dangerous, staying constantly alert helped you survive. Anxiety and hypervigilance were ways of scanning for danger to keep you prepared and safe — even if now that level of watchfulness feels exhausting and unnecessary.
- Feeling numb, detached, or overwhelmed
When feelings or memories were too painful or unsafe, shutting down or going numb protected you from being overwhelmed. Detachment was a way to survive what felt unbearable at the time.
- Guilt, shame, or relentless self-criticism
As children, it can feel safer to believe “I’m the problem” than to face the terrifying idea that the people we depend on might be wrong or unsafe. Blaming yourself creates an illusion of control — if you are the bad one, maybe you can change and avoid more hurt. This self-criticism may once have helped you feel safer and more connected to caregivers, even if it feels painful now.
- Trouble trusting others or maintaining closeness
If closeness once led to hurt, betrayal, or rejection, keeping distance became protection. Guarding your trust kept you safer in relationships where safety and reliability couldn’t be counted on.
- Perfectionism, overworking, or ignoring your own needs
Trying to be perfect or self-sufficient may have been the best way to avoid criticism or conflict and stay accepted. By working hard and minimizing your own needs, you could reduce the risk of rejection or harm.
