Living Your Best Life

Drawing on cutting edge mental health research, we understand that there is a significant connection between trauma and addiction. Many of our clients are struggling with addiction or substance misuse issues, related to traumatic life experiences. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the leading cause of burn out for many professionals including first responders, child protection workers and medical professionals. We understand that PTSD can have a dramatic impact on the lives of those who are struggling, and that it can look different for each individual.  Our clients come to us with a variety of symptoms related to PTSD, including sleep issues, panic, pain, substance misuse, hyper-vigilance and negative moods.  With our support, you will begin to build the distress tolerance necessary to face the distressing events in your past.

 Understanding that addictive behaviours are often a coping mechanism or survival skill to manage trauma and mental health issues is at the root of our work at Victoria Wellness.

Our approach to treating PTSD and related addiction issues is multi-faceted.  Clients are encouraged to engage in various treatment approaches that we offer.  Each client is assigned a highly skilled, Master’s level trained psychotherapist, with expertise in trauma.  Individual sessions are offered twice weekly, and this is where complex emotions, flashbacks, emotional suffering, and family/relationship issues are discussed. In addition, 

clients attend one to two psychotherapy group sessions per week, where they have an opportunity to use creative means, such as art, clay, and paint to work through intense emotions.  We believe it is also very important for those suffering from PTSD to engage in skills based programming, and to learn more about trauma, their triggers, managing cravings, and relapse prevention. As such, we offer skills groups with an expert group facilitator and a Social Worker, up to three times a week.  These groups focus on better understanding trauma and the brain/body, building coping mechanisms to deal with stress, anger management, relationship skills and understanding and managing addiction.  Through these programs, as well as our outdoor/Eco therapy activities, clients can successfully address symptoms of PTSD and achieve long term results.

For our clients who are struggling with addiction issues, we offer a secure program and a daily routine geared towards their unique needs.  Clients are offered skills based and addiction oriented groups three times per week, as well as individual sessions with a psychotherapist at least twice weekly.  Our team works closely to follow the individualized treatment plan for each client.