COUNSELLING GUIDE · TRAUMA
Trauma-informed counselling, through the mind and the body.
A careful pace, two Launch counsellors with specific trauma training, and body-based tools when talking is not reaching the places that hurt.
THE SHORT ANSWER
What is trauma-informed counselling?
Trauma-informed counselling is a style of care rather than one specific technique. The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes a trauma-informed approach as one that recognises how common trauma is, understands how it shapes a person's reactions, and designs sessions around six principles: safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration, empowerment and voice, and cultural awareness. At Launch, both Alexandra Cope and Rita Fung describe their work in these terms.
Trauma is often held in the body, not only in words. A sound in a parking lot after a car crash, a tight chest in a job interview years after a difficult boss, a flinch at a touch. For many clients, talking helps to a point and then stops reaching. Trauma-informed counselling is designed around that reality and uses body-based tools when they are needed. Alexandra Cope and Rita Fung are the two Launch counsellors with specific trauma training.
AT A GLANCE
- What it is
- A SAMHSA-aligned style of care, with body-based options when needed
- Common reasons to try it
- Post-crash distress, workplace injury trauma, grief and loss, complex trauma
- Session length
- 50 to 60 minutes, with 75 to 90 minute options
- Where delivered at Launch
- Richmond (Alexandra Cope), North Burnaby (Rita Fung)
THE APPROACH
A style of care first, specific techniques second
A trauma-informed counsellor does not jump into the hardest material in session one. The first sessions build enough safety and shared understanding for later work to be possible. SAMHSA's six principles sit behind that: safety, trustworthiness and transparency about what will happen, collaboration on the plan, your voice in what gets opened and when, awareness of your own cultural context, and recognition that trauma is common rather than unusual.
BODY-BASED TOOLS
When talking is not reaching, the body gets a seat at the table
Rita Fung names somatic experiencing and sensorimotor psychotherapy in her training. These are body-based approaches: your counsellor pays attention to breath, posture, tension and small movements alongside what is being said, so trauma that is held physically has a route out. Alexandra Cope trains in focusing-oriented therapy, which uses a similar sense of the body's quieter signals as part of a mostly conversational session.
PACE
A slow, planned pace is a feature, not a delay
Trauma work is slow by design, because a nervous system that has been pushed too far will shut down a session rather than process what is in the room. Many clients book biweekly to leave space for integration between visits, and sessions sometimes run 75 or 90 minutes for EMDR and other structured trauma protocols. Your counsellor will plan the pace with you and will not open material in a late-session minute.
WHO DELIVERS IT
The counsellors who name this approach in their own training.
Each quote below is from the counsellor's own public bio. Choose by travel and schedule and your counsellor will adjust the approach to what you bring in.
Alexandra Cope
RichmondMCP, Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC)
“Her counselling approach is primarily person-centred and trauma-informed, integrating training in focusing-oriented psychotherapy and emotion-focused individual therapy. She also incorporates interventions and resources from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, internal family systems, mindfulness, and narrative therapy.”
Rita Fung
North BurnabyMC, Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC #3402)
“Rita incorporates concepts and techniques from interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, attachment theory, emotionally focused therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), internal family systems (IFS)/parts model, somatic experiencing (SE), and sensorimotor psychotherapy. She has completed EMDR Basic Training (EMDRIA Approved), earned the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Certification.”
FAQ
Common questions.
Alexandra Cope at Richmond describes her work as primarily person-centred and trauma-informed, with training in focusing-oriented psychotherapy and emotion-focused individual therapy. Rita Fung at North Burnaby names somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, polyvagal theory and interpersonal neurobiology in her training, plus EMDR Basic Training (EMDRIA Approved) and the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional certification. Both are Registered Clinical Counsellors with BCACC.
SOURCES
Where the facts on this page come from.
- British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors · BCACC · Accessed 6 October 2026
- Alexandra Cope, Registered Clinical Counsellor (team page) · Launch Rehab · Accessed 6 October 2026
- Rita Fung, Registered Clinical Counsellor (team page) · Launch Rehab · Accessed 6 October 2026
- SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach · US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration · Published July 2014. Accessed 6 October 2026
- Launch Rehab rates and FAQ · Launch Rehab · Accessed 6 October 2026
- Clinical Counselling at Launch Rehab (service page) · Launch Rehab · Accessed 6 October 2026
KEEP READING
More counselling guides.
- Everyday approaches
Cognitive behavioural therapy
A structured, short-term approach that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and the things you do.
READ - Everyday approaches
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
A parts-based approach that works with the different sides of you, rather than fighting them.
READ
READY?
Book a counselling session.
Clinical counselling at Launch Rehab is direct-access. Pick the studio that is closest and book online, or send an enquiry first if you want a short email conversation before you commit to a session.