Our Complex PTSD (CPTSD) Counselling Services

Step 1: Initial Contact and Getting Started

Welcome to Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. Taking the first step toward healing and personal growth is an act of courage, and we're here to support you every step of the way. This initial contact phase is designed to be welcoming, straightforward, and completely focused on understanding your needs.

What Happens During Your First Connection

When you reach out to us, you're beginning a collaborative journey. Your first interaction will be warm and non-judgmental. We want to understand what brings you here, what you're hoping to achieve, and how we can best support your healing.

Our trauma informed approach means we listen carefully to your story without rushing. We recognise that seeking help takes strength, and we honour that by creating a safe space from the very beginning.

What to Expect

• Initial conversation: A relaxed discussion about what's on your mind and what you're looking for in counselling or life coaching
• Understanding your needs: We'll explore your current situation, your goals, and what matters most to you
• Explanation of how we work: You'll learn about our therapeutic approaches, how sessions are structured, and what the process looks like
• Practical details: We'll cover session length (50 minutes), frequency, how we communicate, and answer any questions you have
• Next steps: Together, we'll decide if working together feels right and schedule your first full session if you'd like to proceed

How to Get in Touch

Reaching out is easy. Choose the method that feels most comfortable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Started

Do I need to have everything figured out before I contact you?

Not at all. Many people reach out without knowing exactly what they need. That's completely normal. Your first conversation with us is a chance to explore what's happening and what might help. You don't need to have your story perfectly organised or know all the right words. We're here to listen and help you make sense of things together.

What if I'm nervous about talking to someone?

Nervousness is understandable and very common. Our approach is designed to help you feel at ease. We move at your pace. You're in control of what you share and when you share it. There's no pressure, no judgment, and no rush. Many clients tell us they felt more comfortable than they expected during that first conversation.

How long is the initial contact?

Your first conversation is designed to be brief and manageable. We focus on understanding your needs and explaining how we work together. This helps both of us decide if working together feels like the right fit. If you'd like to move forward, we'll schedule your first full session.

Is everything I share confidential?

Yes. Your privacy and confidentiality are fundamental to our practice. Everything you share is protected. We follow strict confidentiality guidelines, and your information is kept secure. The only exceptions are situations where there's risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or where we're legally required to disclose information. We'll always be transparent about these boundaries.

What if I'm not sure counselling is right for me?

That's a fair question. Many people wonder if counselling will actually help. During your initial contact, we can talk about your concerns and explore whether our services align with what you're looking for. If you decide to move forward, you'll have the chance to experience how we work together. If at any point you feel it's not the right fit, we can discuss that openly.

Do you work with people who have experienced complex trauma?

Yes. Our specialisation is in supporting people who have experienced trauma and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). We use approaches informed by trauma research to create a safe, healing environment. Our counsellor, Kotone Frankowski, holds a certification from Evergreen Certificates in trauma work and has over five years of experience supporting people through their healing journeys.

Can I do sessions online?

Absolutely. Our trauma informed counselling and life coaching services serving all of British Columbia are delivered online through secure, private platforms. Whether you're in Vancouver, across the province, or anywhere else, you can access support from wherever feels most comfortable for you.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

We draw from several evidence based approaches tailored to your unique needs. These include Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed work, somatic approaches that work with your body's wisdom, cognitive behavioural techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy. We explain how each approach might support your healing and work collaboratively to find what resonates with you.

What if I can't afford regular sessions?

We believe everyone deserves access to healing support. We offer flexible options to make our services more accessible. During your initial contact, we can discuss what might work for your situation. We also offer group therapy options and a therapy book club focused on trauma and healing, which provide affordable alternatives to individual sessions.

How do I know if you're the right fit for me?

That's something we explore together during your initial contact. We want you to feel comfortable and supported. If for any reason you feel we're not the right match, we'll be honest about that and can help you find resources that might be a better fit. Your wellbeing is what matters most.

What if I have questions that aren't answered here?

Please reach out. Whether you call, email, or use our online booking system, we're happy to answer any questions you have. There's no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your care and healing.

Our Commitment to You

Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching is committed to providing compassionate, professional support informed by trauma research. We serve clients across British Columbia with both online and in-person options. Our practice is built on respect, confidentiality, and genuine care for your wellbeing.

We accept coverage from major insurance providers including Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Manulife, SunLife, and Pacific Blue Cross. Coverage may be available based on your individual policy with your provider.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Reaching out is the hardest part. Once you do, you'll find a supportive, professional team ready to listen and help you move toward healing and growth.

Contact us today:

• Call (1) 778-321-6058
• Email info@turningtidestoday.com
• Book your initial contact online
• Visit www.turningtidestoday.com

We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your journey toward healing, resilience, and personal growth.

Step 2: Getting to Know Each Other and Setting Your Direction

Welcome to the second step of your journey with Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. This is where we move beyond the initial conversation and begin building a clear picture of what you're experiencing and where you'd like to go. Think of this phase as the foundation for everything that follows.

What Happens in Step 2

During your first full session with us, we'll spend time getting to know you in a deeper way. This isn't about filling out endless forms or answering clinical questions. Instead, we'll have a genuine conversation about your life, your challenges, and what matters most to you.

Our approach is collaborative. You're not being assessed or evaluated. Rather, we're exploring together. We'll listen carefully to your story, ask thoughtful questions, and help you identify patterns, strengths, and values that might not be immediately obvious.

The Intake Process: How We Begin

Your first full session typically lasts 50 minutes. Here's what we'll cover:

• Your current situation and what brought you to counselling
• Your personal and family history, as much or as little as you're comfortable sharing
• Your physical health, sleep patterns, and daily routines
• Your relationships and support systems
• Any previous counselling or therapy experiences
• Your hopes and what success looks like for you

We use a conversational approach. There are no tests to pass, no right or wrong answers. We're simply gathering information that helps us understand you as a whole person, not just your symptoms or struggles.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

To make the most of your first session, here's a simple preparation checklist:

You don't need to have everything figured out. Many people arrive uncertain about what they want to work on. That's completely normal, and we'll help you clarify your direction together.

Understanding Our Approach to Getting to Know You

We use several methods to understand your experience and build your healing plan. These aren't formal tests or evaluations. They're tools that help us listen better and support you more effectively.

Reflective conversations. We'll ask open-ended questions that help you explore your feelings, patterns, and values. These conversations often reveal insights you didn't expect.

Values and strengths discovery. We'll talk about what matters most to you and identify the strengths you already possess. This foundation is crucial because healing happens when we build on what's already working.

Life timeline exploration. Understanding your history helps us see how you've navigated challenges before. We're looking for resilience, not just difficulties.

Current functioning check-in. We'll discuss how you're managing day-to-day: your sleep, energy, relationships, work, and emotional wellbeing. This gives us a baseline to measure progress.

Goal Setting: Creating Your Roadmap

One of the most important parts of Step 2 is working together to set meaningful goals. These aren't vague wishes. They're specific, achievable directions that guide our work together.

Good goals are personal. They reflect what matters to you, not what you think you should want. They might sound like:

• I want to feel less anxious in social situations
• I want to communicate more openly with my partner
• I want to understand why I react the way I do to certain triggers
• I want to build confidence in myself
• I want to process past experiences so they don't control my present

We'll work with you to refine these goals, break them into manageable steps, and create a plan that feels realistic and hopeful.

Addressing Common Concerns About This Phase

Will I have to share everything right away? No. You share at your own pace. Trust builds gradually, and we respect that. You're in control of what you disclose and when.

What if I don't know what I want to work on? That's okay. Many people start counselling feeling confused or overwhelmed. We'll help you clarify your priorities through our conversations together.

Is this confidential? Absolutely. Everything you share is protected by professional confidentiality. There are only a few legal exceptions, which we'll explain clearly.

What if I'm not sure this is the right fit? We encourage you to be honest about this. If you feel we're not the right match, we can discuss that openly and help you find someone who might be a better fit.

How long does this phase last? Usually, the intake and goal-setting process takes one to three sessions, depending on your needs and comfort level. We move at your pace.

What Happens After Step 2

Once we've completed this phase, you'll have a clear understanding of your goals and the direction of your counselling. We'll discuss which therapeutic approaches will work best for you. Our practice draws on Internal Family Systems, somatic approaches, cognitive behavioural methods, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy, tailored to what you need.

You'll also receive information about how we'll stay connected between sessions. We offer between-session email support to help you feel supported throughout your healing journey.

Our Commitment to You

This phase is about building trust and clarity. We're committed to creating a space where you feel genuinely heard and understood. Your story matters. Your goals matter. Your healing matters.

Our counselling services are available across British Columbia through secure online sessions, making support accessible wherever you are. Coverage may be available through major insurance providers including Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Manulife, SunLife, and Pacific Blue Cross, depending on your individual policy.

Ready to take this step? Book your first session through our online booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling. If you have questions before booking, reach out to us at info@turningtidestoday.com or call 778-321-6058.

We're looking forward to meeting you and supporting your journey toward healing and growth.

Step 3: Active Therapy and Skill Building

You're now in the heart of your healing journey. Step 3 is where real transformation happens. This is the phase where you'll work collaboratively with your counsellor to process what you've discovered about yourself and develop practical tools for managing emotions, healing from trauma, and building the life you want.

What Happens in Your Sessions

Each session lasts 50 minutes and follows a rhythm designed to support your growth. Here's what you can expect.

Therapeutic Approaches We Use

Your counsellor draws from several evidence-based approaches, tailored specifically to what you need. Think of these as different lenses through which we can understand and heal from what you've experienced.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed work helps you understand the different parts of yourself, especially the parts that developed to protect you during difficult times. We work with compassion toward all of you.
• Somatic approaches recognise that trauma lives in your body, not just your mind. We'll help you notice what your body is telling you and use that information for healing.
• Cognitive and behavioural strategies help you identify thought patterns that may be keeping you stuck and gently shift them toward more helpful ways of thinking and responding.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches you to accept difficult feelings while moving toward what truly matters to you. It's about living according to your values, not being controlled by anxiety or pain.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. These are tools you'll use every day.

Your counsellor will blend these approaches based on what resonates with you and what your unique situation calls for.

Between-Session Practices and Homework

The real work happens between sessions. Therapy is most effective when you actively engage with what you're learning. Here's what you might do at home.

• Reflective journaling helps you track emotions, notice patterns, and process what comes up. You don't need to write perfectly or at length. Even a few sentences about your day or your feelings can be powerful.
• Grounding and mindfulness practices are techniques you'll learn to calm your nervous system when you feel triggered or overwhelmed. These might include breathing exercises, sensory awareness, or body scans. Practice them regularly so they're available when you need them most.
• Skill application means trying out what you've learned in your actual life. If you're working on communication, you might practice a new way of expressing yourself with someone you trust. If you're learning to manage anxiety, you'll notice when you use the tools and what happens.
• Reading and reflection deepens your understanding. Your counsellor may suggest articles, books, or other resources. Our group therapy book club is also available if you'd like to explore healing through literature with others who understand.
• Values clarification work helps you get clear on what matters most to you. You might reflect on questions like: What kind of person do I want to be? What relationships matter? What brings me joy? These reflections guide your healing.
• Coping strategy practice means using the tools you're learning in real situations. Notice what helps. Bring your observations back to session so we can refine what works best for you.

Your counsellor will be clear about what homework feels manageable for you. This isn't about adding stress. It's about supporting your own agency in your healing.

How We Track Your Progress

Progress isn't always linear, and that's okay. We track your movement forward in several ways.

• Reflective conversations at the start of each session help us notice shifts in how you're feeling, thinking, and coping. You'll often recognise progress before your counsellor does.
• Goal progress is reviewed regularly. Are you moving toward what matters to you? What's helping? What needs adjustment?
• Symptom changes are noted. Are you sleeping better? Feeling less triggered? Managing emotions more effectively? These real-life changes matter.
• Relationship improvements show up in how you connect with others. Better communication, more trust, less conflict. These are signs of deep healing.
• Post-session follow-up emails from your counsellor can help you remember key insights and reinforce what you're learning. You can also email between sessions if you need support or want to share something important.

You're the expert on your own experience. Your counsellor is here to guide, but you're the one who knows what's shifting and what's working.

What Makes This Phase Transformative

Step 3 is where you move from understanding your pain to actively healing from it. You're building skills you'll use for the rest of your life. You're learning to trust yourself again. You're discovering that you have more resilience than you realised.

Our trauma informed care approach means we honour your pace and your wisdom. You're never pushed faster than feels safe. You're never made to feel broken or pathologised. Instead, you're supported as someone who has survived difficult things and is now choosing to thrive.

This is collaborative work. Your counsellor is your partner, not an expert imposing solutions. Together, you'll discover what healing looks like for you.

Ready to Begin?

If you're ready to move into active healing and skill building, we'd love to support you. Our counselling services serving all of British Columbia, including Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and communities across the province, are available online and tailored to your needs.

Book your session today through our online booking platform. You can also reach out with any questions about what Step 3 involves.

Book Your Session Now

Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching's trauma informed counselling services are available across British Columbia. Sessions are conducted online to serve you wherever you are. Insurance coverage may be available based on your individual policy with providers including Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Manulife, SunLife, and Pacific Blue Cross.

Step 4: Completion and Ongoing Support

You have reached an important milestone in your healing journey. This step focuses on evaluating your progress, recognising your achievements, and establishing a sustainable plan for maintaining the gains you have made throughout your CPTSD counselling experience.

Progress Evaluation

As we approach the completion phase, we take time to reflect on the meaningful changes you have experienced. This is not about clinical measurements or formal assessments. Instead, we have a collaborative conversation about what you notice in your daily life.

Consider these reflections:

• How have your emotional responses shifted since beginning counselling?
• What relationships have improved or deepened?
• Which coping strategies have become natural to you?
• How do you respond to triggers differently now?
• What aspects of yourself have you rediscovered or strengthened?

These conversations help us understand your unique progress and celebrate the specific ways you have grown.

Signs of Readiness for Completion

Readiness looks different for everyone. You may be approaching completion when you notice:

Maintenance Strategies for Long-Term Wellness

Completing counselling does not mean your healing journey ends. It means you are equipped with tools and insights to continue growing independently. Here are evidence-based strategies to maintain your progress:

Daily Practices

• Continue the grounding and regulation techniques that have worked for you
• Maintain awareness of your emotional patterns without judgment
• Practise self-compassion when difficult moments arise
• Engage in activities that nourish your wellbeing and sense of purpose

Relationship Maintenance

• Apply the communication skills you have developed in your important relationships
• Set and maintain healthy boundaries that protect your emotional wellbeing
• Share your growth with trusted people in your life
• Continue to nurture connections that feel supportive and authentic

Ongoing Learning and Growth

• Revisit materials or resources from your counselling journey when needed
• Remain curious about your inner world and what you continue to discover
• Consider how the therapeutic approaches you have learned apply to new life situations
• Stay connected to communities that support your healing, such as our CPTSD support groups or therapy book club

Celebrating Your Achievement

Take a moment to truly acknowledge what you have accomplished. You have done difficult, courageous work. You have faced painful memories and patterns with honesty. You have learned new ways of relating to yourself and others. You have invested in your own healing and growth.

This is significant. This matters.

Ongoing Support Options

Completion does not mean you are on your own. Our commitment to your wellbeing continues in several meaningful ways.

Booster Sessions

Many clients find value in occasional check-in sessions after completion. These brief sessions help you process new life challenges, deepen your understanding of what you have learned, or work through situations where old patterns resurface. You can return whenever you feel it would be helpful.

Community Connection

Our CPTSD support group and therapy book club remain open to you. These communities provide ongoing connection with others who understand your journey. Many people find that participating in group settings after individual counselling deepens their sense of belonging and provides continued learning.

Between-Session Email Support

If you have questions or need brief support between sessions, you can reach out via email. We respond thoughtfully to help you navigate challenges as they arise.

Crisis Resources

Should you experience a crisis or feel overwhelmed, we provide information about immediate support resources available in British Columbia. You are never truly alone, and help is always accessible.

The Door Remains Open

Our trauma informed counselling services serving all of British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, the Interior, Northern B.C., the Kootenays, and beyond, are designed with your long-term wellbeing in mind. Whether you need to return for additional support in six months, two years, or during a significant life transition, you are welcome.

Life continues to unfold. New challenges will emerge. New opportunities for growth will appear. The skills you have developed and the insights you have gained are yours to carry forward.

Next Steps

To discuss your completion and explore what ongoing support might look like for you, we invite you to book a final conversation with us. This is a chance to reflect together on your journey and ensure you feel genuinely ready and supported as you move forward.

Our trauma informed counselling and life coaching services are available both online and in-person in Vancouver, BC, serving clients across British Columbia. You can schedule your completion conversation through our online booking platform.

Book Your Completion Conversation

Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching is committed to supporting your healing journey. Your progress is real. Your growth matters. And you are always welcome here.