About Douglas Hanson, M.A., CCC, CCRC
Trauma-Informed Therapist, Certified in EMDR and an
Approved EMDR Consultant in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Personal Background
As a young man, I often found myself being called upon to help others who were having difficulty coping with life situations. I felt compassion for them and had a great capacity for empathically listening to their problems.
Because I had such a keen interest in learning how to be an effective helper, I pursued the training and experience necessary to become a psychotherapist.
Since becoming a Therapist, I have come to understand that my own early history of emotional neglect and physical abuse sensitized me to the emotional needs of others, particularly those who have suffered from a history of neglect, rejection, or abuse.
I am pleased that, over the years, I’ve become highly effective at counselling others to achieve freedom from suffering and trauma so they can have more fulfilling lives.
Healing trauma is my calling.
When clients who come to me with relationship struggles, depression, severe anxiety or trauma, leave therapy happy and excited about life, I feel that I’ve achieved my life’s purpose.
Over 35 Years of Experience as a Professional Counsellor
I’m a compassionate and experienced therapist who is dedicated to helping my clients be free of pain. My professional background includes more than 35 years of experience as a therapist in the following areas:
- Traumatic abuse (i.e., childhood sexual from family or clergy, rape, and spousal abuse)
- Traumatic events such as military posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), abuse due to sexual orientation, workplace accidents, and physical assaults
- Depression
- Stress, anxiety and panic attacks
- borderline personality disorder
- Relationship struggles for individuals and couples
- Anger management
- Addictions to cannabis, alcohol, pornography, sex, and gambling
- Life transition issues (e.g., grieving, chronic illness)
Trauma-Informed Therapist, Certified in EMDR and an Approved EMDR Consultant
Since 2014, I’ve focused my practice on treating people who have experienced trauma, often repeated and severe trauma, with EMDR Therapy. I’ve helped more than 190 clients with over 3800 hours of EMDR therapy.
These traumas include childhood emotional neglect and abuse, incest (male and female), childhood sexual abuse, ritualized sexual abuse, sadistic parental abuse, abuse for sexual orientation, military trauma, first responder trauma, workplace PTSD, adult rape, and Residential School Trauma.
To the best of my knowledge, I’m the only certified EMDR therapist and Approved EMDR Consultant in Manitoba who focuses solely on treating severe and repeated trauma (known as complex PTSD), dissociation, and PTSD. I’ve completed advanced EMDR training in treating military, police, and first responders who’ve experienced PTSD as a result of active duty. I maintain regular paid consultations with international experts in EMDR trauma therapy.
“I’m much more relaxed now and feel relieved and lighter.
The weight has lifted off my shoulders”
“As a paramedic, I saw a few bad situations and hit rock bottom. I was seeing a lot of what I call “shadow people” – figures moving out in the distance, usually with sounds of people screaming and crying.
I was suicidal all the time. My marriage seemed like it was over. I was fighting with myself over whether I should off myself. I didn’t know what to do. It was a bad, lonely place.
I started drinking and using drugs to cope. I would sit by myself drinking and yell at the shadow figures, telling them to go away.
After being diagnosed with PTSD, I tried many therapists through Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB). It was just talk therapy. All I was doing was venting, and I wasn’t getting better. It was very frustrating.
So, as a last-ditch effort, I decided to try EMDR. It sounded like voodoo to me, but I wanted to give it a shot. I was desperate for help because if things didn’t improve, the only other solution was suicide.
When I began EMDR, I was skeptical. I was emotional all the time and had complete outbursts for no apparent reason.
At first, it was awkward with Douglas as I’m not a talking person. I’m quite the shut-in, especially with the PTSD. However, I came to trust Douglas and realized he was a very caring person who didn’t judge me.
It was good to figure all this stuff out. I’m much more relaxed now and feel relieved and lighter. The weight has lifted off my shoulders. It’s a very good feeling, like a breath of fresh air. Something terrible has gone, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.
Aside from work issues I’m dealing with, everything is peaches. I’m not suicidal anymore. I still feel angry occasionally and still deal with depression, but it’s nowhere near what it used to be.
I’m much better at dealing with my emotions. Before, I used completely block them. I was like a stone.
Exercising is also helping me now, and I started boxing again. My relationship with my wife is great. I started my own business, and it is going well. I feel so much better.”*
Counselling Credentials
- MA in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
- BA in Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
- Diploma in Social Work, Confederation College, Thunder Bay, ON
Specialized Therapy Training
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of trauma – Certified EMDR Therapist
- Approved EMDR Consultant
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of depression and anxiety
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for the treatment of depression and anxiety
- Emotionally Focused Couple’s Therapy (EFT)
Professional Memberships
- Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Certified EMDR Therapist with the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)
- Certified Canadian Rehabilitation Counsellor (CCRC), Commission on Rehabilitation Counsellor Certification (CRCC)
Publications
My early professional career focused on psychiatric rehabilitation and mental disability management. During this time, I wrote and published research articles in the following areas:
- The Effect of Rehabilitation Services on the Incidence and Duration of Disability
- The Financial Cost and Benefits of Rehabilitation Services on Workplace Disability
- The Humanitarian Benefit of Rehabilitation Services on Workplace Disability
- Job Accommodations for Individuals with Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
- Impact of Employer Attitudes towards Individuals with Mental Illnesses on Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Outcomes
On a Personal Note
I value the concept of a balanced life in the quadrants of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Relationships are a priority with my partner, children, and grandchildren.
I’m keen on meeting new people from varied backgrounds, experiences, and cultures. I enjoy travelling, the performing arts, including live theatre; music performances, including blues, jazz, and folk; and the visual arts.
I also engage in regular physical exercise and outdoor activities, including walking, camping, and boating. Becoming a therapist has taught me much about life. I have more patience and compassion for others as well as myself.
I have a healthy work-life balance. I’ve learned that we are all just a breath away from being a client with mental health problems. Yet, we have the resilience and ability to overcome even the most trying of challenges.
If you want to achieve greater happiness and fulfillment through psychotherapy, please contact me for a no-charge, 10-minute phone consultation.
Together, we can determine how I can help you overcome your problems. I offer therapy sessions via video conference.
*Testimonials appearing on this site are actual testimonials received from clients. They are individual experiences, reflecting real life experiences of those who have used my services. However, individual results vary. The testimonials are not necessarily representative of all of those who will use our products and/or services. These testimonials are not intended to make claims that these products can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease.