TF-CBT for Trauma and PTSD | Trauma-Informed and Focused CB Therapy in BC
Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you heal from trauma, PTSD, and traumatic experiences. Our BCACC-registered therapists in BC offer trauma-focused therapy online throughout British Columbia for children, teens, adults, and families who have experienced sexual abuse, physical violence, accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events.
Through trauma-informed CBT techniques, you'll process difficult memories safely, challenge distorted beliefs that developed from trauma, and build coping skills to manage PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Whether you're seeking TF-CBT for yourself or your child, our compassionate therapists provide a safe, structured approach to healing. Accessible from anywhere in BC, including Vancouver, New Westminster, and beyond, our online trauma-focused therapy makes specialized trauma treatment convenient and effective.
What is Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a short-term, evidence-based treatment typically lasting 8–20 weekly sessions that helps you process traumatic experiences and manage PTSD symptoms. TF-CBT combines proven cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques with trauma-specific interventions to help you safely confront trauma memories, develop new coping skills, and rebuild a sense of safety and control in your life.
Originally developed for children and adolescents who experienced sexual abuse, trauma-focused therapy has expanded to effectively treat all types of trauma in people of all ages. Unlike general therapy that might avoid discussing trauma directly, TF-CBT uses a structured, gradual approach to help you face traumatic memories in a safe therapeutic environment. The trauma-informed CBT framework ensures that treatment respects your pace, recognizes the impact of trauma on your brain and body, and empowers you to move from surviving to thriving.
How TF-CBT Works: A Collaborative Approach
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a short-term therapy, typically lasting 8–20 weekly sessions, that helps children, adolescents, and their caregivers manage trauma-related symptoms. It uses principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy to help individuals process trauma, develop new coping skills, and build a greater sense of safety and control. A key component of TF-CBT is the active involvement of a supportive adult, such as a parent or caregiver, who learns skills alongside the child and helps them integrate those lessons.
How TF-CBT and Trauma-Focused Therapy Differ from Other Approaches
While general Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, trauma-focused CBT specifically addresses the unique impact of traumatic experiences on your mind and body. TF-CBT includes specialized components like gradual trauma narrative development and trauma processing that aren't part of standard CBT.
Unlike EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which uses bilateral stimulation to process trauma, trauma-focused therapy uses cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques to help you gradually confront traumatic memories through talking and writing.
Psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious patterns from your past, but TF-CBT is more structured and time-limited, focusing specifically on trauma symptoms and PTSD relief.
The term "trauma-informed CBT" refers to a broader philosophy of understanding how trauma affects you, while TF-CBT is a specific, manualized treatment protocol.
If you have complex PTSD with severe emotional dysregulation, DBT might be recommended alongside or instead of TF-CBT. However, if you've experienced a specific traumatic event and are struggling with PTSD symptoms, trauma-focused therapy offers the most direct, evidence-based path to healing.
What TF-CBT and Trauma-Focused Therapy Treat
Trauma-Focused CBT is effective for:
PTSD and Trauma-Related Symptoms: TF-CBT helps you cope with PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and intrusive thoughts that interfere with your daily life.
Distorted Trauma-Related Beliefs: Trauma-informed CBT addresses and helps change upsetting beliefs that arise from traumatic experiences, like "I'm not safe," "It was my fault," or "I can't trust anyone." Through cognitive restructuring, you'll develop more balanced, realistic thoughts.
Emotional Distress and Regulation: Trauma-focused therapy assists in managing and regulating intense emotions, including fear, shame, guilt, and anger. You'll reduce stress, depression, and anxiety that often accompany PTSD and unprocessed trauma.
Behavioural Challenges: TF-CBT aims to improve behaviour problems that stem from trauma, such as avoidance, aggression, withdrawal, or risky behaviours, while helping you develop healthy coping strategies and adaptive social skills.
Grief and Loss from Traumatic Events: When trauma involves the death of a loved one or significant loss, trauma-focused therapy helps you process grief alongside the traumatic elements of the experience.
Negative thoughts: Addresses and helps change distorted or upsetting beliefs that can arise from trauma, like "this happened to me because I am a bad person".
Who Benefits from TF-CBT in BC
Children and adolescents: Originally developed for young people who have experienced sexual abuse, it has expanded to include all types of trauma. A key component is the active involvement of a supportive parent or caregiver who learns trauma-informed CBT skills alongside the child, helping them integrate coping strategies at home and fostering a sense of safety.
Adults: Trauma-focused therapy is highly effective for adults dealing with PTSD from childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, workplace trauma, accidents, military service, first responder experiences, or any traumatic event. Adults work through the TF-CBT protocol independently or with support from partners or family members.
Couples and Families: When trauma affects family dynamics or when multiple family members experienced the same traumatic event (such as a car accident or natural disaster), trauma-focused therapy can be adapted to help everyone heal together while improving communication and mutual support.
Individuals with a range of traumas: It is effective for trauma resulting from physical or sexual abuse, violence, grief, natural disasters, serious accidents, medical trauma,and other traumatic events. Whether your trauma happened recently or years ago, trauma-focused CBT in BC can help you process it safely and reduce PTSD symptoms.
Duration of Trauma-Focused CB Therapy
Typically, it involves 12–16 weekly sessions, though the length can range from 8 to 25 sessions depending on the severity of the trauma.
Start TF-CBT and Trauma-Focused Therapy in BC Today
Ready to heal from trauma and reclaim your life from trauma or PTSD? Our TF-CBT-trained therapists offer trauma-focused therapy online throughout British Columbia, making specialized trauma treatment accessible whether you're in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere across BC. We work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, accepting CVAP, ICBC, and WorkBC claims - especially helpful if your trauma resulted from a car accident or crime. Services are available in English and Portuguese.
Through evidence-based trauma-informed CBT, you'll process traumatic experiences safely and build the skills to manage PTSD symptoms effectively. Book your TF-CBT session today and take the first step toward healing.
TCC focada em trauma (TF-CBT) disponível em português