Trauma-Focused Therapy Program

Acknowledgment

We honour the voices of Indigenous people telling us that they are – and have been – victims of racism in Canadian institutions, including the healthcare system.

We at the Trauma-focused Therapy program acknowledge the truth of past and present traumas perpetrated against Indigenous peoples in Canada and are committed to moving forward holding these truths in our hearts and minds.

We are committed to listening and hearing the truth, taking responsibility for our role in systems of oppression and working to heal the impact of trauma.

"Since you had all the resources within you to survive, you have all the resources within you to heal." — Janina Fisher

The Trauma-Focused Therapy Program is a specialized psychotherapy program to help people overcome the impacts of childhood and adult trauma.

Through group and individual therapy, the program aims to enhance resilience and promote recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, in order to allow people to reconnect with themselves and their communities.

Our program is grounded in principles of trauma-informed care, namely safety, collaboration, choice, empowerment, & trustworthiness. In the spirit of collaboration, our program is client-centered and strengths-based. We are committed to creating a space free from violence and discrimination in which everyone is welcomed without judgment. We operate from a feminist anti-oppressive approach, understanding that personal experiences of trauma are layered in structural intersectionalities & social inequalities.  

The program is designed according to a stage-based approach to healing from trauma as described by Judith Herman. We offer confidential, time limited and primarily group-based therapy, which is offered for free between the hours of 9am & 5pm. We do not provide ongoing psychiatric follow-up, crisis services or long-term therapy.

Objectives

  1. Promote recovery from PTSD and complex PTSD symptoms
  2. Enhance resilience and post-traumatic growth
  3. Develop skills needed to manage PTSD symptoms
  4. Effectively process traumatic memories
  5. Improve interpersonal relationships
  6. Foster reconnection with self and within the community

Therapeutic Modalities

The program combines a variety of approaches to tailor treatment to clients’ goals and needs:

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
  • EMDR
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • DBT-Based Therapy
  • Psychoeducation
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • Relational Therapy
  • Mentalization-Based Therapy
  • Creative Arts Therapy
  • Yoga Therapy

The Team

Trauma-Focused Therapy Team

  • Psychiatrist: Zoë Thomas
  • Psychologist: Kate Drury
  • Multidisciplinary interns

    Referral process

    *** Please note: due to high volumes of referrals and limited clinical resources, we unfortunately are no longer accepting referrals from family physicians or physicians outside of the Department of Psychiatry of the Jewish General Hospital until further notice. We are actively seeking to expand our service offer as soon as possible. We apologize for this inconvenience.  ***

    Patients will require a physician’s referral to begin assessment for the program. Referring physicians can complete the referral form and an ACE questionnaire with the patient. As this program only provides specialized time-limited therapy, referring physicians will need to ensure ongoing follow-up with the patient.

    In order to access the program, patients will need to attend an essential orientation session. If they do not attend this orientation, they will be removed from the waiting list, and will need to be re-referred.

    Research and Clinical Opportunities

    Clinical

    At this time we are only accepting students from graduate programs in psychology and residency programs in psychiatry.

    Research

    We are accepting applications from students currently enrolled in a graduate program.

    Location and Contact

    Jewish General Hospital
    3755 Côte Sainte-Catherine Road
    Pavilion B, 6th floor
    Montreal, QC

    Email:   elspethmcconnell.centre.ccomtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
    Fax (internal): 28290
    Fax (external): 514-340-8290
    Telephone: 514-340-8222, ext. 25633

    Inclusion criteriaExclusion criteria
    • History of trauma, childhood or adult
      • If childhood trauma, ACE > 4
    • Symptoms of PTSD or complex PTSD (difficulties with emotional regulation and interpersonal relations)
    • Motivation for psychotherapy
    • At least 16.5 years of age
    • Within the area of the JGH
    • Unstable housing
    • Recent psychiatric admission (within 3-6 months)
    • Active acute suicidality or homicidality
    • Severe unstable substance use disorder
    • Severe unstable eating disorder
    • Unstable medical condition
    • Current ongoing abusive relationships

    Documents

    This program welcomes participants of all racial and cultural identities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious backgrounds.

    An initiative of the Doggone and JGH Foundations

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