Lumus Counselling is now Strata Psychotherapy – new name, same care.
Trauma Therapy for High-Functioning Adults Who Hold It All Together
You’re the one people rely on.
But underneath, it’s getting harder to keep up.
Therapy here helps you feel steady again — not just function.
This might sound familiar:
You look capable and composed on the outside.
But inside, something feels off.
You’re used to being the one people rely on — the one who figures things out and holds everything together.
But lately:
- You feel anxious, burned out, or emotionally overwhelmed
- Your mind doesn’t shut off — you’re always thinking, planning, or anticipating
- You have a hard time relaxing, even when nothing’s wrong
- You carry a lot, but don’t really talk about it
And part of you is starting to wonder:
“Why does this feel so hard when I’m doing everything right?”
If this resonates, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep managing it on your own.
Why This Happens:
This isn’t because you’re doing something wrong.
It’s what happens when your system has been in high-responsibility mode for too long.
Many of my clients:
- Learned early to take care of others
- Became independent and self-reliant quickly
- Got used to pushing through instead of slowing down
These patterns often develop in response to early experiences, stress, or trauma.
But over time, they can lead to:
- chronic anxiety
- burnout
- emotional overwhelm
- difficulty feeling safe in relationships
What helped you function before…
is now keeping you stuck.
How I Help
In our work together, we focus on understanding what’s driving these patterns — often rooted in trauma, high responsibility, or early experiences — without judgment.
Therapy here isn’t about pushing you harder or giving you more to manage.
It’s about helping your system slow down, feel safer, and begin responding differently.
Together, we work to:
- Reduce anxiety and constant overthinking
- Understand your emotional patterns and reactions
- Process experiences that still affect you
- Feel more grounded and regulated in your day-to-day life
- Build relationships that feel safer and more connected
I take a structured, depth-oriented approach — integrating EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic work — so we’re not just talking about your patterns, but actually shifting them.
This isn’t about fixing you.
It’s about helping you feel like yourself again.
Therapy Services in Waterloo & Across Ontario
Whether you’re looking for individual therapy for anxiety and trauma, or couples therapy to feel more connected, we’ll work together in a way that feels grounded, supportive, and effective.
Individual Therapy
When you’re used to holding everything together, it can be hard to notice how much you’re carrying.
Individual therapy is a space to slow down, understand what’s driving your patterns, and begin to feel more like yourself again—not just manage symptoms.
We’ll work through anxiety, burnout, and unresolved experiences using a structured, trauma-informed approach that helps create real, lasting change.
Couples Therapy
When you’re feeling disconnected, stuck in the same patterns, or unsure how to reach each other, it’s often not about communication alone—it’s about what’s happening underneath.
Couples therapy focuses on helping you understand those deeper patterns, rebuild emotional safety, and feel like a team again.
Using Emotionally Focused Therapy, we slow things down so both partners can feel heard, understood, and more securely connected.
Therapy is offered on a community pricing scale to honor both accessibility and sustainability. Learn more about investment options on our Services page.
Dana Lauder, MACP, RP
Registered Psychotherapist | Trauma Therapy for High-Functioning Adults in Ontario
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist providing online therapy for anxiety, burnout, and unresolved trauma patterns across Ontario.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked as an engineer—a path that shaped my structured, practical approach. Over time, I found myself more drawn to understanding people than systems, and that led me here.
Today, I specialize in working with high-functioning adults who are used to holding everything together—often at the cost of themselves. Many of my clients are healthcare professionals, caregivers, and high achievers who appear steady on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected underneath.
Our work goes beyond coping strategies. Together, we focus on understanding the patterns driving how you think, feel, and relate—often shaped by high responsibility, early experiences, or unresolved trauma.
I integrate approaches like EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic work to help you feel more grounded, more connected to yourself, and able to respond differently in your life and relationships.
If you’re looking for therapy that respects both your resilience and your sensitivity, I’d be honored to connect.
Trauma Therapy That Goes Deeper Than Coping
Most people I work with already know how to cope.
They’ve learned to push through, stay strong, and take care of what needs to get done.
But over time, that way of functioning can start to feel exhausting—and something underneath still doesn’t feel resolved.
Our work focuses on helping you understand and shift the deeper patterns driving your anxiety, burnout, or disconnection—so you’re not just managing symptoms, but actually feeling different.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Understand the different parts of you—like the overachiever, the inner critic, or the anxious voice—and how they developed to protect you.
Instead of fighting these parts, we help them feel safer, so you can experience more calm, clarity, and self-trust.
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
Helps your brain and nervous system process experiences that still feel “stuck,” so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity.
This allows you to move forward without feeling pulled back into the same reactions or patterns.
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)
Focuses on understanding your emotional patterns and attachment needs—especially how they show up in relationships.
This work helps you feel more secure, connected, and able to express what you need.
Somatic & Nervous System Work
Helps you tune into your body and regulate your nervous system—so you can move out of constant tension, anxiety, or shutdown.
This is where healing becomes something you feel, not just understand.
You don’t need to know which approach is right for you.
We’ll figure that out together based on what you need.
Common Questions
Here are some questions I often hear. If you don’t see your question here, please reach out – I’m happy to help.
Where do sessions take place?
What if I prefer in-person sessions?
What are your fees?
I believe therapy should be both accessible and valued. My community-centered pricing structure invites you to choose the rate that aligns with your circumstances and values:
• Foundation Rate: $125
For those who need support to be accessible while still valuing the therapeutic journey. This rate helps make consistent, quality therapy possible while honoring your commitment to growth.
• Connection Rate: $150
For those able to invest in their emotional wellbeing at the market rate. This rate reflects the value of professional support while maintaining accessibility.
• Community Rate: $175+
For those with the means to support broader community access to therapy. By choosing this rate, you help create ripples of healing in our community while investing in your own journey.
Additional Value:
• Save 5% with a 12-session commitment
• Save an additional 3% with prepayment
• All rates include secure video platform and between-session email support
How long are sessions?
Individual and couples sessions are 50 minutes. We typically meet weekly, especially at the beginning of our work together.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes! I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to ensure we’re a good fit and answer any questions you have about working together.
What's your approach to therapy?
I integrate several evidence-based approaches (IFS, EMDR, EFT, and somatic mindfulness) while maintaining a warm, authentic presence. Our work together will be collaborative, honoring both your sensitivity and strength.
Are you accepting new clients?
I maintain a waitlist when my practice is full. Reach out to learn about current availability and to secure your spot.