Starting counselling for childhood abuse is similar to driving. Like driving different vehicles, it may take time to determine which counselling modality is the best fit for you in sessions. I sit next to you in the passenger seat and ensure you are safe, heard, validated, and supported as you drive. In counselling, we unpack your intergenerational trauma and how it impacts you. We discuss your coping mechanisms, and I share strategies to help you heal and process your intergenerational trauma. Some sessions may involve driving in difficult terrain as you share upsetting and painful experiences from your life. But you are not alone; we process these experiences as we move forward together. You can pull over, slow down, or change lanes at any time. You gain new insight and understanding, which creates new experiences and awareness. Driving home after your counselling session, you feel validated, supported, reassured, and more resilient. You also reflect on your inner child and meet their needs.
Hi, my name is Leena Mehta, and I’m glad you’re here. I hope you find what you’re looking for. I am a registered clinical counsellor in Burnaby (#19428) and am committed to supporting individuals who have experienced intergenerational trauma. I first started working as a counsellor in 2015, and I supported women process the intergenerational trauma they experienced. Since then, I’ve supported individuals from different walks of life: professionals, stay-at-home parents, students, people of colour and immigrants. The one thing these individuals had in common was that their self-confidence and sense of self were chipped away. Let’s build your self-confidence and strengthen your identity. You don’t have to do it alone. Let me help.
I am a Burnaby therapist who supports you in healing from your intergenerational trauma. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and private space, both in person and online. For some survivors of intergenerational trauma, their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-talk are impacted. Others have negative core beliefs that stem from childhood and surface when they feel triggered in the present day. I work with you to build your self-esteem and self-worth and to strengthen your relationship with yourself.
Tired of feeling alone? What if I told you that you can access support and process your experience in a safe, compassionate space? Let’s work together and build your self-esteem.
Intergenerational trauma includes physical, emotional, financial, sexual and psychological forms of trauma that were passed down from one generation to the next by a parent, caregiver or family member. It can also include neglecting a child’s basic needs, which is passed down from one generation to the next. Finally, it can consist of domestic or family violence, fleeing a war-torn country, surviving a natural disaster or experiencing a traumatic experience which is passed down from one generation to the next.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health. Starting counselling takes courage and strength. Being a survivor of intergenerational trauma is a part of your story, but it’s not the whole story.
You may be a busy, successful professional who struggles to heal from the intergenerational trauma you experienced. At work, you may seem to have everything under control, and coworkers may admire your dedication and drive. However, internally, you may have days when you feel triggered and trapped by the intergenerational trauma you experienced. What if I told you that you are not the only one in your team who struggles with intergenerational trauma?
You may be a high-achieving student who struggles to cope with the intergenerational trauma you experienced. At school, your peers and friends admire your ability to study and deliver coursework and presentations on time. However, internally, you may struggle with a lack of sleep and flashbacks of the intergenerational trauma you experienced. What if I told you that other students struggle with a lack of sleep and flashbacks?
You may be a stay-at-home parent or caregiver who struggles to process the intergenerational trauma you experienced. At home, you may have everything under control and consistently meet your partner’s and children’s needs. However, internally, you may struggle with negative core beliefs which stem from the intergenerational trauma you experienced. What if I told you that other parents and caregivers struggle with negative core beliefs?
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby provides a safe space to share and heal from the intergenerational trauma you experienced and to explore how it impacts your life. We make space for your feelings and get curious about what these feelings need to heal. As your counsellor, I validate and reassure you. I don’t judge you or tell you what to do. As your counsellor, I empower you, and together we focus on your strengths.
Let’s create a safe space for you in counselling. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I’m curious to learn about what you need to feel safe, where in your body you feel this and what thoughts come up. You may be grieving a version of you that couldn’t exist because of family dynamics, culture or norms and values. There may be a part of you that feels angry or resentful as a result. We make space for these feelings and determine what they need.
Intergenerational trauma can impact your life in several ways. Some examples include:
As your Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I know it’s not easy to reach out and start counselling, but I’m here to help when you’re ready.
Burnaby intergenerational trauma counselling provides a nonjudgmental, kind, and compassionate space to help you heal from the intergenerational trauma you experienced. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:
I need your help in determining which counselling modality is a good fit for you. It’s okay if you don’t know. I use a variety of different counselling modalities to support clients with intergenerational trauma. Every client is different, and as a counsellor, I support each client with where they are in their healing journey. Counselling modalities that can help include:
CBT can help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns. It can also help individuals challenge thinking traps.
DBT can help individuals with emotional regulation and distress tolerance by learning skills and strategies to help them cope. For example, noticing signs of sadness in the body and learning how to manage these feelings.
EMDR can help individuals process traumatic and distressing experiences through bilateral stimulation.
You may not be ready to start counselling, but there are resources you can access in the meantime.
https://bc.cmha.ca/programs-and-services/
https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/mental-health
https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/mentalhealth
988 suicide crisis helpline
Counselling for intergenerational trauma in Burnaby focuses on the connection between intergenerational trauma and your present struggles or places where you feel stuck. Some individuals feel triggered with their romantic partner, friend or work colleague. In these moments, these individuals may react by shutting down, getting louder or leaving. Their nervous system is activated, and it may be difficult for them to regulate their emotions. Distressing childhood experiences may also surface along with negative core beliefs. In counselling, we work together to identify triggers, patterns and where you feel stuck. Some individuals are familiar with their triggers and know which patterns they want to change, but they struggle to implement those changes. As your Burnaby therapist, I explore what gets in the way.
Counselling for intergenerational trauma in Burnaby explores how your intergenerational trauma impacts your life. We explore how it impacts your relationships with others, your self-confidence, and your thoughts and feelings. As a counsellor in Burnaby, I support individuals who didn’t receive any validation or words of affirmation. As a result, some of these folks seek external validation. Together, we work to strengthen internal validation and positive core beliefs. I support individuals who struggle with harsh, critical, negative self-talk. We unpack and explore whether this stems from. We are not born with this voice, and many of the people I support have internalised it from a parent or caregiver who was critical towards them. I encourage clients to gently challenge these negative thoughts and cultivate a kinder, more compassionate self-talk.
Counselling for intergenerational trauma in Burnaby helps you heal from your intergenerational trauma. You may have coping mechanisms, but these may no longer be effective. I share tools and strategies that help you cope with and process your intergenerational abuse. You may struggle with anger, resentment, guilt and sadness. You may find that when these feelings surface, they are overwhelming, and you may view yourself as sensitive or too much. Let me reassure you that you are not too sensitive or too much. As your Burnaby therapist, we make space for your feelings and unpack what they need. We also unpack your narrative and construct one that focuses on your strengths and positive qualities. Some of our work together may include healing your inner child and validating past experiences.
As your Burnaby therapist, I unpack and explore what identity means to you and what you believe it comprises. For some clients, their identity consists of their values, cultural norms, mainstream norms, traditions, language, sense of belonging and culture. For others, it may include gender or sexual orientation, as well as personal characteristics and qualities. Sometimes clients are not aware of what their identity consists of, and in these cases, we explore it together. What if I told you that your identity may evolve, and what you identify with currently may not be something you relate to in five or ten years?
Counselling in Burnaby focuses on how feelings of shame surface, where they stem from, and how they impact your life. As your Burnaby therapist, I support each client in processing and healing from their feelings of shame. I also support clients in increasing self-compassion, challenging negative thoughts, identifying their strengths, forming healthy boundaries, practising mindfulness, setting goals, forgiving themselves and caring for themselves. What if you started to show kindness and compassion to your negative self-talk?
Yes, it is possible to heal from intergenerational trauma. Every client has a unique healing journey, and while sometimes it takes time to process and recover, it is possible to heal. Counselling in Burnaby supports individuals who want to process and heal from intergenerational trauma. As a Burnaby therapist, I have supported several clients on their healing journeys.
There are small steps individuals can take to build their self-esteem. Here are a few to try. Firstly, by becoming curious about their thoughts. Some individuals struggle with negative thoughts and negative inner dialogue. They can challenge this and unpack where this stems from in counselling. Secondly, acknowledge what is going well. For example, as a Burnaby therapist, I support clients in focusing on their strengths and achievements. Thirdly, identifying needs and implementing boundaries. Finally, acceptance and forgiveness for past mistakes or regrets. What if I told you that you can do hard things?
The number of sessions you may need varies from client to client. Every client I support as a Burnaby therapist is different, and their needs vary. I work with each client to establish goals, and we work together to achieve them. Clients who have been struggling for a while may need more sessions to help them unpack thought patterns and identify where they feel stuck. However, clients who have been struggling for a shorter period and seek support sooner may find they have less to unpack and process.
As a Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in-person and online.
As a Burnaby therapist, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
As a Burnaby therapist, I understand the impact of inequality and oppression, providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space in-person and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome. As a South Asian Burnaby therapist, I create a culturally sensitive space, and I am curious to learn more about your culture, norms, and values.
