Trauma & PTSD Therapy
in Fort McMurray
EMDR · ART · 3MDR
For kids, teens and adults · In-person and virtual · No referral needed
When the Past Won't Stay in the Past
Trauma doesn't always end when the event does. It can show up as nightmares, jumpiness, avoiding reminders, feeling numb, or a sense of being constantly on guard. You might find yourself reacting in ways that don't seem to match what's happening around you.
Whether your experience was a single event or something that built up over years, trauma therapy can help your mind and body recognize that the danger has passed. At Stillwater Therapy, our therapists offer three specialized trauma therapies, EMDR, ART and 3MDR, along with the broader clinical approaches our team uses, in person and virtually across Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo region.
Trauma We Work With
We provide trauma therapy to children, teens and adults working through:
Motor vehicle, workplace and industrial accidents
The 2016 wildfire, the evacuation and the years of rebuilding that followed
Sudden, traumatic or unexpected loss
Physical, emotional or sexual violence
Medical trauma and difficult births
Repeated exposure to distressing events through work
Childhood experiences that still affect you as an adult
You don't need a formal PTSD diagnosis to begin trauma therapy. If something still affects how you sleep, work, or relate to the people around you, that's reason enough to reach out.
For younger children, we adapt therapy to their age and stage. See our Child & Teen Therapy page »
Signs Trauma May Still Be Affecting You
Intrusive memories, flashbacks or nightmares
Avoiding people, places, conversations or situations
Irritability, anger or trouble concentrating
Feeling detached, numb or emotionally flat
Feeling on edge, easily startled or unable to relax
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Relying on alcohol or other substances to cope
If several of these sound familiar and they've lasted more than a few weeks, therapy can help. These responses aren't a weakness or a character flaw. They're how a nervous system adapts to something overwhelming.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
ART also uses guided eye movements, but follows a different, more tightly structured protocol than EMDR. Rather than talking through a memory in detail, ART works with the images and physical sensations attached to it to reduce how intense the memory feels.
Two things draw people to ART. First, it doesn't require describing every detail out loud, so you stay in control of what you share. Second, it's designed to be brief. Many people complete ART in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy, though this varies from person to person, and your therapist will discuss what to expect in your situation.
Andrea and Rebecca are advanced-trained Master ART practitioners. Sara S, Sara M, Amy and Holly are ART-trained. Few clinics in Fort McMurray offer ART at all, and fewer still have practitioners at the Master level.
3MDR
3MDR (Multi-modal Motion-assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation) is a newer trauma therapy that builds on EMDR by adding movement and visual immersion. It was originally developed for treatment-resistant PTSD, particularly among military personnel and veterans, and is now being used more broadly.
Amy provides 3MDR at Stillwater. It is a recent addition to our services and is not widely available in Alberta.
EMDR
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is one of the most widely used and well-researched trauma therapies in the world. It uses guided eye movements while you bring a difficult memory to mind, helping your brain process the experience so it can be stored as something that happened in the past rather than something your body keeps reliving.
EMDR follows a structured, phased protocol. Your therapist will spend time preparing you and building coping skills before working directly with the memory, so you're never pushed further than you're ready to go.
Trauma-Informed Therapy That Fits You
ART suits many people, but not everyone, and it isn't the only option. Our therapists also draw on [other trauma approaches used by the team — confirm, e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy for trauma, EMDR, somatic and mindfulness-based approaches], chosen to fit your history, comfort level and goals.
Therapy moves at your pace. Your therapist will explain the approach before you begin, and nothing happens without your agreement.
A Full Clinical Toolkit
EMDR, ART and 3MDR are specialized trauma therapies, but they're not the whole picture. All of our therapists also work with established clinical approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, which can be applied to trauma alongside or instead of the therapies above.
Your therapist will talk with you about which approach fits your history, your comfort level and your goals. Therapy moves at your pace, and nothing happens without your agreement.
What to Expect
Your first session
We'll review consent and confidentiality, then talk about what's bringing you in and what you'd like to be different. You decide how much detail to go into. You don't need to tell your whole story in the first hour, or ever.
Building a plan together
Your therapist will discuss which approaches may suit you, how often to meet and what progress might look like. Many people begin weekly or every two weeks and space sessions out as things improve.
Going at your pace
Trauma therapy works best when you feel safe and in control. You can slow down, pause or change direction at any point.
Trauma Therapy in Fort McMurray
Our therapists live and work in this community. They understand the realities of shift work and rotations, of being hours from extended family, and of a region that lived through the 2016 wildfire together.
Appointments are available seven days a week, between 8 AM and 8 PM, depending on each therapist's schedule. Sessions are offered in person at our Fort McMurray office or virtually, so you can keep therapy going through a rotation or from out of town.
Stillwater Therapy
#306, 108 Riverstone Ridge
Fort McMurray, AB T9K 1S6
We're on the third floor, above Gym Nation. Free underground parking is available, and an elevator takes you right to our floor.
Fees & Insurance
Many extended health benefit plans cover counselling and psychological services. We bill your insurance directly when your plan allows.
Coverage depends on your plan and your therapist's credentials, so check your benefits before your first appointment.
Book Trauma Therapy
No referral is needed. Book online to see current availability and choose a therapist, or call us
and we'll help match you with someone trained in the approach that suits you.
If you're in crisis, please don't wait for an appointment. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, or call the
Alberta Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 or 8-1-1; both are available 24/7.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. We work with children, teens and adults, with the approach adapted to the client's age and stage.
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All three use guided eye movements and all are used for trauma. EMDR is the most widely known and has the largest research base. ART follows a tighter protocol and is designed to be brief. 3MDR adds movement and visual immersion and was developed for treatment-resistant PTSD. You don't need to decide in advance. Your therapist will help you choose.
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No. Therapy moves at your pace, and ART in particular doesn't require you to describe the memory out loud. You control what you share.
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Yes. Many people seek help years or even decades later and still experience meaningful relief.
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No. You don't need a diagnosis or a referral.
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Many extended health plans cover counselling and psychological services, and we bill directly when your plan allows. Check your plan's coverage before booking.