Why Your Brain Won't Let You Relax (and How to Reset It)

If you feel like you are constantly scanning for threats in the grocery store or can’t sit with your back to a door in a restaurant, you aren’t "broken." You are experiencing a very common physiological response to Complex PTSD (CPTSD).

In CPTSD, the brain’s "Salience Network", the part responsible for detecting threats, becomes overly sensitive. Essentially, your internal alarm system is stuck in the "ON" position. While this hypervigilance kept you safe during service, it becomes exhausting in civilian life. It hijacks your ability to focus, disrupts your sleep, and often leads to avoidance behaviors, like isolating yourself to escape the noise.

Recovery isn't about erasing your memories; it’s about retraining your nervous system to recognize safety again. This allows you to move from "reacting" to "living."

We Can Help at OPS, we know that talking about trauma requires trust. That is why many of our therapists are Canadian Forces Veterans themselves, they understand the culture and the language of service.

Clinicians who specialize in Veteran PTSD:

• Shelley Colter: A CAF Veteran (20+ years of service) trained in Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR..

• Yan St-Louis: A CAF Veteran (25+ years  of service) who uses Cognitive Processing Therapy and strength-based approaches.

• Barb Pierce: A CAF Veteran who utilizes Art Therapy and somatic approaches including EMDR and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE).

Ready to stand down? 

Email us at info@ottawapsychotherapyservices.ca to book an appointment with one of these specialists.