Engage in Healing from Trauma and Abuse
The Trauma and Narcissistic Abuse Therapist's Goal
The trauma and narcissistic abuse therapist's aim in psychotherapy is to work alongside their clients to support them in reaching their goals. Their approach tailor suits various psychotherapy techniques to the clients needs. In addition to talk therapy and trauma counselling, in sessions they use Art Therapy, Creative Art-making, Brainspotting, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Internal Family Systems.
Our goal is to help clients to do the following in their own time and space:
- Recognise thoughts and behaviors that help or hold them back.
- Express their emotions and feelings in a safe space and healthy way
- Understand and process stored trauma and negative life experiences.
- Work through the client’s choice of personal stuck points that hold them back in their minds and behaviors.
- Cope with difficult life experiences in the present and past.
- Learn stress reduction tools
- Feel respected as a unique individual.
- Develop coping grounding tools.
- Learn Mindfulness Based Stress Relief
- Identify core values and strengths to live according to one’s principles.
- Learn healthy boundaries and assertive communication.
- Enhance self-compassion, kindness, and curiosity about themselves.
- Cultivate a balanced life for a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
- To work with a decolonizing lens and support diverse cultures.
About the Trauma and Narcissistic Abuse Therapist
Heather Caruso
Heather Caruso is a registered psychotherapist specializing in trauma counseling, narcissistic abuse and adult children of narcissistic or toxic parents. She offers online therapy sessions for individuals and groups.
Qualifications and Continuing Education
Heather’s extensive education and training as an trauma counselor, psychotherapist and art therapist in Ontario include:
- Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto
- Diploma in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional level I and II for Complex Trauma (CCTP-II)
- Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC)
- Certified ACNP, Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents Therapist
- Certificate in Trauma Counselling for Mental Health Professionals
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Level 1 and 2
- Certificate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Certificate in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Professional Development
Heather believes in keeping up with studies. Her list of professional development courses are not all inclusive.
- Internal Family Systems
- Internal Family Systems for PTSD and Complex Trauma
- Somatic Internal Family Systems
- Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2
- Trauma Informed Culturally Responsive Expressive Arts
- Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing
- Bilateral Stimulation, EMDR and Art Therapy
- Restorative Embodiment and Expressive Arts Therapy
- Restorative Attachment and Expressive Arts Therapy
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Canadian Art Therapy Association
- Ontario Art Therapy Association
- Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists