Support Beyond the Shift.
AREAS OF SUPPORT
Trauma and PTSD symptoms, operational stress, anxiety, and the impact of demanding work on relationships and daily functioning.
APPOINTMENTS
In person: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Virtual: Across Nova Scotia
50 minutes | $160Direct billing available for most insurance providers.

Where Clinical Expertise Meets Real-World Understanding.
Denise Harrietha, Clinical Therapist | RCT-C
Denise brings over 13 years of experience in crisis support and counselling, with a focus on trauma, operational stress, and functional recovery. She provides clinical support to individuals navigating traumatic experiences and the impact of demanding work, using approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Coming from a first responder family, Denise brings both professional experience and a personal understanding of the realities of frontline work and its impact beyond the call.

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FAQ
Here are some common questions that may be helpful as you navigate.
How do I know if what I’m experiencing is PTSD, burnout, or just normal job stress?: // We look at specific patterns like intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance, sleep disruption, and changes in emotional regulation or functioning. Operational stress injuries tend to persist beyond rest periods and show up across multiple areas of life, not just during work.
Will I be able to talk about my work experiences without being overwhelmed or retraumatized? // Yes. We use a paced, stabilization-first approach that keeps you within your window of tolerance. The focus is on control, grounding, and choice—so you are never pushed beyond what your nervous system can safely process.
What if I don’t want to go into details about specific calls or incidents? // That is completely respected. We can work with symptom patterns, body responses, triggers, and functional impacts without requiring detailed event narration or operational disclosure. Sessions are entirely confidential, any identifying information discussed is not documented.
Can you support me after intensive rehab or if I want preventative care instead of crisis treatment? // Yes. This work can focus on maintenance, sustainability of gains, and preventing relapse after discharge from intensive programming (such as WCB rehabilitation). Sessions can be scheduled as needed or structured into a mutually agreed follow-up plan for ongoing support.
How long does therapy usually take for operational stress injuries? // It depends on the complexity, duration of exposure, and current level of functioning. Some clients experience meaningful change within a few months, while longer-standing injuries often benefit from phased, longer-term stabilization and integration work.
Can therapy actually help if I’ve been dealing with this for years already? // Yes. Even long-standing operational stress injuries can shift with targeted nervous system regulation and structured trauma work. The goal often starts with improving daily function, sleep, and emotional regulation before deeper trauma processing.
What if I’m still working in the same high-stress environment—can I still improve? // Yes. Therapy is designed to support functioning while still operational. We build skills that fit shift work realities—rapid down-regulation after calls, transition routines between home and work, and tools for managing cumulative stress exposure in real time.
Will you communicate with my employer, WCB, VAC, or case manager if needed? // Only with your explicit consent. If coordination is required, communication is focused, limited, and aligned with your treatment goals and privacy preferences.
What happens if I have a bad reaction or emotional spike between sessions? // We develop a clear stabilization and response plan, including grounding strategies, containment tools, and decision points for when to seek additional support. The goal is to increase your ability to self-regulate between sessions over time.
POST shift operational stress support. 2026.


