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EMDR therapy therapy in British Columbia accepting Veterans Affairs Canada
It can feel like the past is always just a step behind you, memories surfacing when you least expect them, emotions that feel too heavy to carry. I’ve worked with many people who know this feeling all too well: veterans, first responders, and others living with the lasting impact of trauma. Please know that your experiences don’t define you, and healing is absolutely possible.
I’m Maribel Ayala, a Canadian Certified Counsellor and trauma therapist offering EMDR therapy in British Columbia, proudly accepting Veterans Affairs Canada (Medavie Blue Cross) coverage. My goal is to help you find relief from trauma and reclaim a sense of calm, balance, and connection in your daily life.
About Me
As a Canadian Certified Counsellor and the founder of Maribel Ayala Psychotherapy and Consulting, I specialize in trauma therapy for adults, especially veterans and first responders, who have experienced post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
I provide trauma-informed, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs. My approach is grounded in respect, compassion, and a belief that every person has the inner capacity to heal.
Some of the therapies I offer include:
- EMDR Therapy for PTSD: A proven, evidence-based method for safely reprocessing distressing memories.
- Brainspotting: A brain and body-based therapy designed to release trauma stored deep in the nervous system.
- Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR): A neuroscience-based approach for resolving the emotional and physical effects of trauma.
- Clinical Hypnosis: A guided process to help address and shift certain thoughts, feelings, or behaviours.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A practical therapy that helps you understand and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.
I also offer flexible weekday, evening, and weekend appointments to ensure therapy fits into your life, not the other way around.
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
Trauma can leave you feeling disconnected, on edge, or stuck in patterns that don’t make sense. You might find yourself:
- Reliving painful memories or flashbacks that appear out of nowhere.
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or emotionally numb.
- Struggling to trust others or feel safe in relationships.
- Avoiding reminders of what happened, even when they’re part of your daily life.
These are normal responses to trauma, but they don’t have to be permanent. Through EMDR therapy and other trauma-informed approaches, we can help your brain and body release the weight of what you’ve been carrying.
What to Expect in Therapy
Our work together will begin by creating a sense of safety and trust. I’ll take time to understand your story and what you hope to achieve. From there, we’ll create a personalized plan using approaches like EMDR, Brainspotting, and DBR, techniques proven to help people process traumatic experiences and reduce emotional distress.
You’ll learn grounding and regulation strategies to help manage symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional overwhelm. Over time, therapy can help you feel more centred, connected, and confident in your ability to move forward.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps the brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer trigger the same intense emotional or physical reactions. It’s an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and related symptoms.
Clients often describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control after EMDR therapy. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened, it means being able to live fully without the past constantly intruding on the present.
Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, or anyone affected by trauma, my online therapy services are available throughout British Columbia.
Take the First Step
You’ve already done one of the hardest things, acknowledging that you’re ready for change. You don’t have to carry the past alone anymore.
If you’re in British Columbia and looking for EMDR therapy or trauma counselling covered by Veterans Affairs Canada, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can begin your journey toward healing and relief.
Online sessions are available across British Columbia.
Let’s connect and explore how I can support you in moving forward.
