Trauma Therapy Ajax
Our Ajax EMDR Therapists can help you heal from traumatic events, PTSD, CPTSD, and anxiety.
Trauma Therapy in Ajax & Durham Region
The word "trauma" gets used frequently these days, but what does it really mean for your life? At The Relationship Agency, our trauma therapists understand that trauma isn't just about what happened to you—it's about how those experiences continue to affect your nervous system, your sense of safety, and your ability to connect with the people you care about.
Since opening our doors in 2022, we've built our practice on one core belief: Relationships are Everything. This isn't just a philosophy—it's backed by decades of research, including Harvard's landmark Study of Adult Development, which found that the quality of our relationships is the single biggest predictor of happiness and wellbeing throughout our lives.
Here's what we've learned: trauma makes secure relationships incredibly difficult. It leaves you feeling unsafe, untrusting, and hypervigilant—even with the people you love most. Whether you're struggling with childhood wounds, PTSD from a traumatic incident, or the accumulated weight of experiences that taught you the world isn't safe, trauma therapy can help you reclaim your peace and rebuild your connections.
We’ve expanded our Ajax location specifically to bring specialized trauma therapy and EMDR to Durham Region—because we saw firsthand how many people in our community were suffering in silence, carrying burdens that didn't have to define their futures.
EMDR Therapy for PTSD, Complex Trauma & Childhood Wounds
You might notice trauma showing up as:
Feeling constantly on edge or easily overwhelmed
Difficulty trusting others or letting people get close
Avoiding certain places, people, or situations
Intrusive thoughts or memories that won't let go
Reacting intensely to situations that others find manageable
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
If any of this resonates with you, you're not alone—and there is hope. Trauma therapy can help you reclaim your sense of safety, rebuild your relationships, and move forward with confidence. Click get started to reach out, we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
EMDR Therapy in Ajax
Many therapists refer to themselves as "trauma-informed," and while this awareness is valuable, it's important to understand the difference between being trauma-informed and being a trauma therapist who practices specialized trauma therapy.
Trauma-informed means a therapist understands how trauma affects people and creates a safe, supportive environment. All of the therapists at The Relationship Agency are trauma-informed.
Trauma therapy means using specific, evidence-based techniques designed to target and heal the way trauma has affected your brain, nervous system, and memories.
Because trauma literally changes how your brain processes and stores memories, you need a type of therapy specifically designed to address these neurological impacts. That's why we specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)—one of the most effective, research-backed treatments for trauma available today.
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It's a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer hijack your present.
When you experience trauma, your brain can struggle to properly store and process the memory. Instead of being filed away as "something that happened in the past," the memory remains emotionally charged and vivid—which is why you might feel like you're reliving it through flashbacks, nightmares, or intense physical reactions when something reminds you of what happened.
EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation—typically guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones that alternate between left and right sides—while you briefly focus on the traumatic memory. This process activates your brain's natural healing mechanisms, similar to what happens during REM sleep when your brain processes and consolidates memories.
Here's what often surprises our clients: relief can come faster than you expect. While trauma therapy is a commitment that happens over time, many people notice meaningful shifts early in the process. The memory doesn't disappear, but it loses its grip on you. You can remember what happened without your body reacting as if the threat is still present.
Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR can be highly effective for:
✓ Childhood trauma and attachment wounds from abuse, neglect, or emotionally unavailable caregivers
✓ PTSD in first responders (police, fire, paramedics) carrying the weight of traumatic calls
✓ Survivors of violence including assault, domestic violence, or community violence
✓ Single-incident trauma like car accidents, medical emergencies, or sudden loss
✓ Complex PTSD from prolonged trauma or multiple traumatic experiences
✓ Anxiety rooted in past experiences that keeps you feeling unsafe
✓ Relationship difficulties stemming from attachment trauma
What Makes Someone Ready for EMDR?
Based on our clinical experience, the most important factor is commitment to the process. Trauma therapy happens slowly, over time. It requires showing up consistently, being willing to feel uncomfortable sometimes, and trusting that healing is possible even when it feels slow.
You don't need to be "perfect" or have everything together. You just need to be ready to invest in yourself.
EMDR is particularly helpful if you:
Find it difficult to talk about your trauma
Feel like traditional talk therapy isn't creating lasting change
Experience strong physical or emotional reactions to reminders of the past
Want a therapy that's structured and time-limited
Why We Specialize in Trauma
Our trauma specialization is an organic extension from the work we already do with relationships. As therapists who focus on nervous system regulation, attachment, and relationships, we know that there are some things couples therapy can’t do - such as completely addressing when one or both partners is carrying developmental trauma, PTSD, or CPTSD.
Many of our Durham Region clients come from cultures that value grit and resilience—where sharing pain is seen as weakness, and "just getting over it" is the expected response to difficult experiences. We've sat with countless people who suffered silently for years, believing they should be strong enough to handle it alone. If that's your story, we see you. And we want you to know: seeking help isn't weakness. It's wisdom.
We also work with first responders—police officers, firefighters, paramedics—who carry the weight of what they witness on the job. The culture of toughness in these professions can make it even harder to admit when traumatic experiences have taken their toll. Our trauma therapy provides a confidential, judgment-free space where you can finally put down what you've been carrying.
What Makes Our Approach Different
We Integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) with EMDR
While EMDR is our primary trauma therapy modality, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. Our Ajax trauma therapist, Dee Martin, integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS)—a therapeutic approach that recognizes the different "parts" of ourselves that developed in response to life experiences.
This integration is powerful for complex trauma because it helps you:
Understand why different parts of you might feel conflicted
Work with protective parts that developed to keep you safe
Access your core Self—the calm, compassionate center that exists beneath the trauma
We Offer EMDR Intensives
For clients ready to make concentrated progress, we offer EMDR Therapy Intensives: two full days of trauma therapy in a condensed format. This immersive approach allows you to dive deep into your healing work and leave having made significant progress—without the stop-and-start rhythm of weekly sessions.
Intensives are particularly helpful for:
Specific traumatic incidents you're ready to process
Clients who've already done preparatory work in therapy
People with scheduling constraints who need focused treatment
Those who want to create momentum in their healing
We're Part of Your Community
Our therapists don't just work in Durham Region—we live here. In Pickering, Ajax, and Oshawa. We understand the communities we serve, and we're committed to making trauma therapy accessible to our neighbors who've been carrying these burdens alone.
What Our Trauma Therapy Clients Experience
Success in trauma therapy looks different for everyone, but here are the changes we commonly see:
In Your Mind:
A calm mind without constant racing thoughts
Memories that no longer intrude on your present moment
The ability to think clearly during stress instead of going into panic mode
In Your Body:
Reduced physical symptoms of anxiety (tight chest, racing heart, stomach knots)
Better sleep without nightmares or middle-of-the-night panic
Feeling relaxed and at ease instead of constantly braced for threat
In Your Relationships:
Fewer fights and emotional blow-ups with partners, family, or friends
The ability to stay present during conflict instead of shutting down or exploding
Deeper trust and connection with the people who matter most
Feeling safe being vulnerable and asking for what you need
In Your Daily Life:
Socializing and being in public feels manageable instead of overwhelming
Enjoying activities you used to avoid
Making decisions without constant second-guessing
Feeling like yourself again—or maybe for the first time
Meet Your Trauma Therapist: Deidre (Dee) Martin, RSW, MSW
Dee brings specialized training and a genuine passion for trauma work to The Relationship Agency. As a Registered Social Worker with both a Master's and Bachelor's in Social Work, she's completed extensive trauma-specific training including:
EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Basic Training (S.A.F.E Approach)
EMD Training
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Traumatic Incident Reduction and Life Stress Reduction
Dee is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and participates in ongoing consultation and learning about trauma therapy—because the field is constantly evolving, and she's committed to bringing the latest understanding of the brain, nervous system, and memory reconsolidation to her work with clients.
What Dee loves most about trauma therapy is the opportunity to build long-term therapeutic relationships where she witnesses genuine transformation. She's fascinated by human resilience—the remarkable ways our brains and nervous systems adapt to protect us, and how, with the right support, they can also heal.
If you're looking for a trauma therapist who combines clinical expertise with authentic care, Dee is here to walk alongside you on your healing journey.
Our Trauma Therapy Process: What to Expect
Step 1: Free 20-Minute EMDR Consultation
Your healing journey starts with a no-pressure conversation. Fill out our Get Started form or call us, and we'll match you with Dee for a free 20-minute consultation.
In this consultation, you'll:
Meet Dee and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable with her
Learn about the EMDR therapy process
Ask any questions you have about trauma therapy
Discuss whether EMDR is the right fit for your needs
There's no obligation—just honest information to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Step 2: Intake Session
If you decide to move forward, your first full session is an intake. This 50-75 minute session is designed for Dee to get to know you, understand your history and current struggles, and begin collaboratively creating your treatment plan.
You'll talk about:
What brought you to trauma therapy now
Your goals for treatment
Your history and how trauma has affected your life
What you need to feel safe in the therapeutic process
Step 3: Preparation Phase
Before diving into reprocessing traumatic memories, we spend time building your emotional resources and coping skills. This phase ensures you feel grounded and safe throughout the trauma therapy process.
You'll learn:
Techniques to calm your nervous system
Ways to manage distressing emotions between sessions
How to recognize when you're feeling triggered and what to do about it
This is critical for successful trauma therapy. We never rush this phase. Some clients need weeks of preparation; others are ready sooner. We move at your pace.
Step 4: Memory Reprocessing
Once you're ready, we begin the EMDR reprocessing work. During these sessions, you'll briefly focus on a targeted traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or audio tones).
What surprises many clients is how much can shift without having to describe every detail of what happened. EMDR works directly with how your brain has stored the memory, allowing natural healing to occur.
Step 5: Installation and Integration
As traumatic memories lose their emotional charge, we work to strengthen positive beliefs about yourself and integrate your new perspective into your daily life. This is where you start noticing real changes:
Racing thoughts quiet down
Conflicts with loved ones decrease
You can socialize and be in public more comfortably
Physical symptoms of anxiety—the tightness in your chest, the knot in your stomach—start to ease
You feel more present in your life instead of constantly on guard
Our Sessions Vary in Length (50-75 Minutes)
We tailor session length to what you need on any given day. Some processing work requires more time; other sessions are shorter and focused on stabilization or integration.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
If you’re unsure whether working with an Ajax trauma therapist is right for you, that’s okay. We’re here to support you in exploring for yourself and deciding what you need most.
You've already taken the hardest step—acknowledging that something needs to change and that you deserve support.
At The Relationship Agency, we believe healing from trauma is truly possible. Not just managing symptoms, but genuinely living with more peace, freedom, and connection than you ever thought possible.
We wish more people knew this before starting trauma therapy: you really can significantly reduce the impact trauma symptoms have on your life. The racing thoughts can quiet. The hypervigilance can ease. The relationships that feel so hard can become sources of comfort and joy.
You don't have to carry this alone anymore.
Book Your Free Consultation
If past experiences continue to affect how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others, or your ability to feel safe in the world, trauma therapy can help—regardless of whether your experiences "seem" traumatic enough.
Ready to take the next step?
Click the "Get Started" button below to book your free 20-minute EMDR therapy consultation with Dee. You'll get to ask questions, learn about the process, and see if trauma therapy at The Relationship Agency is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR & Trauma Therapy
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Yes! While EMDR is best known for trauma treatment, it's also effective for anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and other issues—especially when those issues are rooted in negative beliefs or past experiences. Your therapist will help determine if EMDR is the right approach for your specific concerns.
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No. One of the benefits of EMDR is that you don't need to share every detail of what happened. You'll identify the memory or issue to work on, but you won't need to narrate the entire experience aloud. This makes EMDR particularly helpful for people who find it difficult or re-traumatizing to talk about their experiences.
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Yes. EMDR is extensively researched and considered safe when practiced by a trained therapist. You remain in control throughout the process, and your therapist will teach you coping skills to manage any distress that arises. We go at your pace and ensure you feel grounded and safe.
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The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on your specific history and goals. Some people experience significant relief in 6-12 sessions for a single traumatic event, while complex trauma may require longer-term treatment. Your therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan and regularly assess your progress.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event—such as a serious accident, assault, natural disaster, combat, or sudden loss of a loved one. While it's normal to feel upset after trauma, PTSD occurs when symptoms persist long after the event and significantly interfere with your daily life.
PTSD Symptoms Include:
Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories that make you feel like the trauma is happening again
Avoidance: Going out of your way to avoid people, places, activities, or conversations that remind you of the trauma
Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, having difficulty sleeping, being easily startled, or experiencing irritability and angry outbursts
Negative changes in thoughts and mood: Persistent negative beliefs about yourself or the world, feeling detached from others, loss of interest in activities, difficulty experiencing positive emotions
PTSD keeps your nervous system stuck in "survival mode," as if danger is still present even when you're safe. EMDR therapy helps your brain recognize that the threat has passed, allowing you to finally feel at peace.
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What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD)?
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) develops from prolonged, repeated trauma—especially trauma that occurred over time and in situations where escape wasn't possible. This often includes:
Childhood abuse, neglect, or growing up in an unpredictable environment
Domestic violence or ongoing relationship abuse
Long-term captivity or exploitation
Ongoing community violence or war
Chronic medical trauma
CPTSD affects not just how you remember specific events, but your core sense of self and your ability to feel safe in relationships. The good news? EMDR therapy, combined with other trauma-focused approaches, can help you rebuild your sense of safety, self-worth, and connection.
CPTSD includes PTSD symptoms plus:
Emotion regulation difficulties: Intense emotions that feel uncontrollable, frequent emotional overwhelm, or feeling emotionally numb
Negative self-concept: Deep-seated beliefs that you're worthless, broken, damaged, or fundamentally unlovable
Relationship difficulties: Trouble trusting others, fear of abandonment, difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries, or patterns of unhealthy relationships
Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from yourself, your body, or reality; losing time or feeling like you're watching yourself from outside your body
