Our CPTSD Support Group Services

Step 1: Getting Started with Our CPTSD Support Group

Welcome to Your First Session

Taking the first step toward healing takes courage. Our CPTSD Support Group is designed to meet you exactly where you are right now. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been navigating Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for years, you'll find a welcoming community here.

This is a safe space where your experiences matter, your voice is valued, and your healing journey is supported by others who truly understand.

What Happens in Step 1

Your initial experience with our support group includes several important elements designed to help you feel comfortable and informed.

• Introduction and Orientation - Our facilitator, Kotone Frankowski, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with specialised training in trauma, will welcome you and explain what CPTSD is, how it shows up in people's lives, and what you can expect from the group
• Learning About CPTSD - You'll receive foundational information about Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, including common symptoms and healing strategies that many group members have found helpful
• Establishing Safety - We create a non-judgmental atmosphere where confidentiality is paramount. Ground rules ensure everyone feels respected, heard, and protected
• Peer Connection - Members share their stories at their own pace. You can listen, participate, or simply be present. There's no pressure to speak if you're not ready
• Resource Access - You'll receive educational materials and information about additional resources to support your healing between sessions

What to Expect

Our CPTSD Support Group meets every Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time via secure online video conferencing. Each session lasts one hour and creates space for both learning and connection.

It's completely normal to feel nervous before your first session. Many members describe feeling anxious about joining a group. That's okay. Simply listening is a valuable way to participate until you feel comfortable sharing more.

This is a support group, not a crisis service or formal therapy session. It complements individual counselling beautifully and offers something unique: the healing power of being understood by others who've walked similar paths.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Started

Do I need to have a formal CPTSD diagnosis to join?

While the group is specifically for people with CPTSD, we welcome anyone who resonates with the experiences and symptoms discussed. If you're unsure whether this group is right for you, reach out and we can discuss it together.

What if I'm not ready to share my story yet?

Absolutely no pressure. Many members spend their first few sessions simply listening and getting to know the group. Sharing happens when you feel safe and ready. Your presence alone is valuable.

Is everything I hear in the group confidential?

Yes. We maintain strict confidentiality. What's shared in the group stays in the group. This creates the trust necessary for genuine healing and connection.

What if I need crisis support?

The support group is not a crisis service. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately. We're here for ongoing support and community, and we can help you connect with crisis resources if needed.

Can I attend sessions whenever I want, or do I need to commit to all of them?

You have flexibility. You can attend weekly or join when your schedule allows. We do ask that you book at least 24 hours in advance through our website so we know who to expect.

What if I miss a session?

Life happens. You can rejoin whenever you're able. There's no judgment, and the group will welcome you back warmly.

How much does it cost?

Sessions are affordable at just $5 per person. You'll pay when you book through our website, making it accessible for everyone seeking support.

Do I need any special equipment or technology?

You'll need a device with internet access and a camera (a computer, tablet, or smartphone works perfectly). We use secure, encrypted video conferencing to protect your privacy. We can provide technical support if you need it.

What if I'm in a different time zone?

Our group meets at 4:00 PM PDT. We serve people across British Columbia and beyond. If the time doesn't work for you, let us know and we can discuss options or connect you with other resources.

How to Book Your First Session

Getting started is simple and straightforward.

Step 1: Visit our online booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling

Step 2: Select the CPTSD Support Group option

Step 3: Choose your preferred Wednesday session (remember to book at least 24 hours in advance)

Step 4: Complete your booking and payment

Step 5: You'll receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link and any materials you need

Alternative Ways to Connect

If you have questions before booking or need support with the booking process, we're here to help.

A Message of Reassurance

If you're feeling hesitant or scared about taking this step, that's completely understandable. Healing from complex trauma is brave work. You don't have to do it alone.

Our CPTSD Support Group exists because we believe in the power of community, understanding, and shared healing. You'll be welcomed exactly as you are. Your story matters. Your healing matters. And you matter.

We're honoured to walk alongside you on this journey.

Next Steps After Step 1

After your first session, you'll have a clearer sense of whether the group feels like the right fit for you. Many members find that attending regularly becomes an important part of their healing practice. Some combine group support with individual counselling for deeper, personalised work.

Whatever path feels right for you, we're here to support it.

Ready to take the first step? Book your first CPTSD Support Group session now.

Step 2: Your Intake and Goal-Setting Journey

Welcome to the next phase of your healing journey with Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. Step 2 is where we get to know you, understand your unique experiences, and work together to create a meaningful path forward. This is a collaborative process designed with care and respect for your story.

What Happens During Your First Sessions

Your first session with us is about connection and understanding. We'll spend time together exploring what brought you here, what matters most to you, and what you hope to achieve. Think of this as a conversation between two people who are committed to your wellbeing, not a clinical interview.

During our time together, we'll:

• Listen deeply to your story and experiences
• Understand how trauma has shown up in your life
• Explore your strengths and the resources you already have
• Learn about what brings you hope and what you value
• Begin to identify patterns and how they affect you today

This first session typically lasts 50 minutes. It's normal to feel nervous or uncertain. Many people find that simply being heard in a safe space is the first step toward healing.

Our Approach to Understanding Your Needs

We don't use complicated questionnaires or clinical forms that feel impersonal. Instead, we have meaningful conversations with you. As we get to know each other, we'll naturally explore different areas of your life. We might ask about your relationships, your work, your daily challenges, and what brings you joy. We listen for patterns. We notice what matters to you.

Our approach draws on several evidence-based methods that work together to support your healing:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed care, which helps us understand the different parts of you and how they work together
• Somatic approaches that recognize how trauma lives in your body and how we can help it move and release
• Approaches informed by polyvagal theory, which helps us understand your nervous system and how to support it
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps us work with thoughts and behaviours in practical ways
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps you live in line with your values even while difficult feelings are present
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which provides skills for managing intense emotions

We'll use whichever approaches feel right for you. This is your healing journey, and we customize everything to match your needs and preferences.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

You don't need to bring much. Here's a simple checklist to help you prepare:

That's really it. You don't need to have everything figured out or have your story perfectly organized. Messy, confused, uncertain, angry, hopeful, or anything in between is exactly right.

Understanding Our Goal-Setting Process

Goals aren't about fixing yourself. They're about moving toward what matters to you. In our second or third session, we'll work together to identify what you'd like to focus on. This might be healing from trauma, improving a relationship, building confidence, managing overwhelming emotions, or discovering your life's direction.

Your goals will be:

• Meaningful to you, not what you think you should want
• Specific enough to know when you're making progress
• Flexible, because healing isn't linear and your priorities may shift
• Grounded in your values and what truly matters in your life

We'll check in on your goals regularly. If something isn't working, we change it. This is a living, breathing process that evolves as you do.

Common Concerns About This Process

Will you judge me for what I share? Absolutely not. We've heard it all, and we meet every story with compassion. Your experiences are valid, and there's nothing you could tell us that would change our commitment to supporting you.

What if I don't know what my goals are yet? That's completely okay. Many people come in uncertain about what they want. We'll explore together. Sometimes the goal becomes clear through our conversations. Sometimes it emerges over several sessions. We move at your pace.

Will this feel like therapy or like talking to a friend? It's somewhere in between. We bring professional training and expertise, but we also bring warmth and genuine care. You're not sitting across from someone taking clinical notes. You're with someone who is fully present with you.

What if I get emotional during our sessions? That's welcome here. Emotions are information. They're part of your healing. We create space for whatever comes up, and we'll help you move through it safely.

How do I know if this is working? You'll notice changes. Maybe you sleep better. Maybe you feel less triggered by certain situations. Maybe you're able to speak up for yourself. Maybe you feel more hopeful. We'll also reflect together on your progress in our sessions, noticing the shifts that matter to you.

Our Therapeutic Approach in British Columbia

Our trauma informed care is grounded in research and guided by best practices for supporting people who've experienced complex trauma and CPTSD. We're certified to practice in British Columbia, and we bring specialized training in trauma recovery to every session.

Whether you're joining us from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere else across British Columbia, you'll receive the same quality of care. Our online sessions make it possible for us to work together no matter where you are.

What Happens After Step 2

Once we've completed your intake and set your goals, you'll move into ongoing sessions where the real healing work unfolds. You'll have access to between-session email support, resources tailored to your journey, and a counsellor who knows your story and is invested in your progress.

Many of our clients also find value in our CPTSD support group or therapy book club, which provide community and additional perspectives on healing. These can complement your individual work beautifully.

Ready to Begin?

Step 2 is about building trust, understanding your needs, and creating a roadmap for your healing. We're here to support you through every part of this journey.

To book your first session or if you have questions about what to expect, please visit our online booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling. You can also reach out to us directly, and we're happy to answer any questions before you begin.

Your healing matters. We're honoured to walk alongside you.

Step 3: Your Healing Journey in Action

Welcome to the active phase of your CPTSD support group experience. This is where the real work of healing begins. You'll discover how our sessions are structured, what to expect week to week, and how we support your progress between meetings.

What Happens During Your Sessions

Each session runs for 50 minutes and follows a thoughtful structure designed to create safety and foster connection.

Therapeutic Approaches We Use

Our CPTSD support group draws on several evidence-based approaches, all woven together with care informed by trauma research. These aren't rigid techniques. They're flexible, collaborative ways of supporting your healing.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed approach: We help you understand the different parts of yourself and how they work together. This approach recognizes that trauma creates protective responses. We work with compassion toward all parts of you.
• Psychoeducation about CPTSD: Knowledge is power. Understanding what Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is, how it develops, and how it affects your body and mind helps you make sense of your experiences. It reduces shame and builds hope.
• Peer support and shared experience: You're not alone. Hearing others' stories and sharing your own creates connection and validation. This mutual support is one of the most healing aspects of group work.
• Emotional expression and processing: We create space for feelings to emerge and be witnessed. You'll learn to express what's happening inside you in ways that feel safe and manageable.
• Somatic approaches: Your body holds wisdom and memory. We help you notice what's happening in your physical self and use that awareness as part of your healing.
• Grounding and regulation techniques: You'll learn practical tools to calm your nervous system when it feels activated. These are skills you can use anytime, anywhere.
• Strength-based reflection: We notice what you're already doing right. We build on your resilience and the resources you already have within you.

Your Homework and Practices Between Sessions

Healing happens in the group, but it deepens through what you do between sessions. We call these 'practices' rather than homework because they're invitations, not obligations. You choose what resonates with you.

• Reflection on what you learned: After each session, take time to think about what stood out for you. What insight surprised you? What story touched your heart? Write a few notes if that helps.
• Journaling your experience: Keep a simple journal to track your emotions, triggers, and moments when you felt more grounded. This builds self-awareness and shows you patterns over time.
• Practising grounding exercises: We'll teach you specific techniques during sessions. Try one or two between meetings. Notice what helps your nervous system settle.
• Exploring resources we share: We recommend books, articles, and videos related to CPTSD healing. Engage with what calls to you. Many members join our CPTSD focused therapy book club to explore healing literature together.
• Building your safety plan: Develop a personal plan for what helps you feel safe when things get difficult. This might include people you trust, activities that soothe you, or places where you feel calm.
• Practising self-care: Commit to one small act of kindness toward yourself each week. This might be a warm bath, a walk outside, time with someone you trust, or simply resting without guilt.
• Connecting with the group: Our private online community allows you to stay connected between sessions. You can share, ask questions, or simply know that others are walking this path with you.

How We Track Your Progress

Progress in healing isn't always linear, and it's not always obvious. We track it in ways that honour your unique journey.

• Reflective conversations: At natural points in the group, we pause and reflect together. How are you feeling compared to when you started? What's shifted? What's becoming easier?
• Between-session email support: After each session, Kotone sends a follow-up email. This gives you time to reflect and lets you know she's thinking of your progress. You can reply with updates or questions.
• Noticing small changes: We pay attention to subtle shifts. Maybe you spoke up when you usually stay quiet. Maybe you felt triggered but managed it differently. Maybe you laughed. These moments matter.
• Checking in on goals: As we get to know each other, we talk about what healing looks like for you. We gently notice when you're moving toward those goals, even in small ways.
• Your own awareness: You're the expert on your healing. We trust your sense of whether things are improving, whether you feel safer, whether you're sleeping better or managing emotions more skillfully.

Between-Session Support

You're not on your own between meetings. Our trauma informed care extends into the weeks between sessions.

• Email access: You can reach out to Kotone via email with questions, concerns, or to share a breakthrough. She responds thoughtfully and promptly.
• Post-session follow-up emails: Each week, you'll receive a summary email reflecting on the session's themes, the resources discussed, and encouragement for your practice.
• Curated resources: We share reading materials, mindfulness practices, and coping tools tailored to CPTSD healing. These are available whenever you need them.
• Online community access: The private group space stays open. You can read others' reflections, share your own, or simply know you're part of something larger than yourself.
• Accountability and encouragement: We gently support you in practising what you're learning. This isn't about perfection. It's about showing up for yourself, one small step at a time.

What Makes This Work

Our CPTSD support group succeeds because of three things: safety, collaboration, and hope.

Safety means confidentiality is sacred. What's shared in the group stays in the group. You control how much you share and when. There's no pressure.

Collaboration means you're not being treated or fixed. You're partnering with Kotone and the group in your own healing. Your voice matters. Your pace matters. Your choices matter.

Hope comes from seeing others heal. It comes from learning that what happened to you wasn't your fault and that recovery is possible. It comes from discovering your own resilience.

Ready to Begin?

Our CPTSD support group meets online via Zoom, making it accessible whether you're in Vancouver, across British Columbia, or anywhere in the world. Sessions are affordable and designed to remove barriers to care.

This is your invitation to join a community of people who understand. People who are healing. People who believe that your story matters and that you deserve support.

Our trauma informed counselling services serving all of British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley, Interior BC, Northern BC, the Kootenays, and beyond, are here to support your journey.

Take the next step. Book your first session through our online booking platform. If you have questions first, reach out via email. We're here to support you.

Step 4: Progress Evaluation and Completion

You've reached an important milestone in your healing journey. Step 4 is about reflecting on how far you've come, recognising the growth you've achieved, and planning for the future with confidence and clarity.

Evaluating Your Progress

Throughout your time in our CPTSD support group, you've been building skills, gaining understanding, and connecting with others who truly understand your experience. This step invites you to pause and acknowledge the meaningful changes you've noticed.

We look at progress in many ways. Some people notice they're sleeping better or feeling less triggered by everyday situations. Others find they're able to talk about their experiences without becoming overwhelmed. Many discover they're kinder to themselves and less caught in cycles of self-criticism. These are all signs of real, lasting change.

Signs You May Be Ready for Completion

There's no single timeline for healing. Everyone moves at their own pace. However, you might be considering completion if you notice:

• You feel more stable and grounded in your daily life
• You've developed coping strategies that actually work for you
• You're experiencing fewer moments of feeling overwhelmed or disconnected
• You've built meaningful connections within the group or in your life
• You feel more hopeful about your future
• You understand your CPTSD patterns and can recognise your triggers
• You're ready to apply what you've learned in new ways

Completion doesn't mean you're 'fixed' or that healing is finished. It means you've developed the tools and understanding you need to continue moving forward independently.

Maintenance Strategies for Ongoing Wellness

The work you've done in the group becomes most powerful when you continue practising these strategies in your daily life. Think of maintenance like tending a garden. You've planted seeds of healing. Now you nurture them regularly.

Daily practices that support lasting change:

• Spend a few minutes each day checking in with yourself about how you're feeling
• Use the grounding techniques you've learned when you notice stress building
• Practice self-compassion, especially on difficult days
• Stay connected to supportive people in your life
• Honour your body's signals and rest when you need it
• Return to the resources and insights you've gained from the group

Weekly practices:

• Reflect on moments when you handled a trigger well
• Notice small victories and celebrate them
• Reach out to someone you trust if you're struggling
• Revisit your personal healing goals

Ongoing Support Options After Completion

Leaving the group doesn't mean leaving our community. Our trauma informed care approach recognises that healing is ongoing, and support takes many forms.

You can continue your journey with us through:

• Individual counselling sessions: One-on-one work with our Registered Therapeutic Counsellor to deepen your healing and address specific challenges as they arise
• Our therapy book club: An affordable way to stay engaged with healing concepts through guided reading and discussion, meeting weekly online
• Returning to the support group: You're always welcome to rejoin if you feel you need that community connection again
• Seasonal check-ins: Between-session email support to help you stay grounded and connected to your progress

Our services are available across all of British Columbia through secure online platforms, so distance is never a barrier to accessing support when you need it.

Planning Your Path Forward

As you complete this step, consider what comes next for you. Some people transition to individual counselling to explore deeper layers of their healing. Others continue with the book club for ongoing learning and connection. Many find that having a plan for what to do if they struggle helps them feel more confident moving forward.

Think about:

• What has been most helpful for you in the group?
• What strategies feel most natural to you now?
• Who in your life can support you going forward?
• What would help you feel secure if difficult emotions return?

Celebrating Your Achievement

Completing this step is genuinely significant. You've shown up for yourself. You've been vulnerable with others. You've learned new ways of understanding and managing your CPTSD. You've built connections and discovered your own resilience. That takes real courage.

Healing isn't linear, and that's okay. Some days will feel harder than others. But you now have tools, understanding, and a community that knows your experience. That foundation doesn't disappear when you leave the group.

Next Steps

Ready to continue your journey? Our Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Kotone Frankowski, and the entire Turning Tides community are here to support you in whatever way feels right.

To explore individual counselling, join the therapy book club, or simply stay connected to our community, you can book through our online platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling

You can also reach out directly to discuss what might work best for you at this stage of your healing.

Thank you for being part of this community. Your presence has mattered, and your healing journey continues.