Trauma-Informed Counselling
Grounded in Nervous System Awareness
Welcome — I’m Amber Shanahan. I’m a counsellor based in Vancouver, British Columbia, offering trauma-informed counselling online across Canada.
People often arrive here after a long period of trying to cope or make sense of things on their own — curious about counselling, but not always sure how to name what’s going on.
You may have been carrying something for a long time, managing on the outside while feeling unsettled on the inside.
How I Work
My work is relational, trauma-informed, and grounded in an understanding of the nervous system. I pay attention not only to thoughts and emotions, but also to how experiences are held in the body.
Sessions are collaborative and guided by what feels most present. Rather than pushing for insight or change, we focus on creating enough steadiness for new awareness to unfold in its own time.
Many of the patterns people bring into counselling developed for important reasons — often as ways of adapting to earlier environments or relationships. When we approach those patterns with curiosity instead of judgment, there is often more room for choice, flexibility, and self-trust.
My path to counselling began with studying nutrition and grew into a deeper exploration of the connections between physical and emotional health, the nervous system, and our lived experiences. This background continues to inform my work, alongside my training in somatic approaches, trauma, and attachment.
Why The Vagus Effect?
I chose the name The Vagus Effect because it reflects an important part of how I understand the connection between our nervous system, our experiences, and the way we relate to ourselves and others.
Our nervous system begins developing before we're born. From our earliest days, our experiences with caregivers help shape how we respond to closeness, stress, and connection. Over time, these experiences can influence how we manage emotions, navigate relationships, and respond to the world around us.
When we've experienced prolonged stress or trauma, some of the ways we've learned to cope can continue long after the circumstances that shaped them have passed. We might find ourselves feeling anxious, shutting down, reacting more strongly than we'd like, or struggling to feel settled, even when we don't fully understand why.
For me, The Vagus Effect represents the importance of understanding these responses in the context of our lived experiences. Change doesn't come from insight alone. By paying attention to both the mind and body, counselling can help us develop a different relationship with ourselves and gradually discover new ways of responding.
If you’re looking for counselling that makes sense of your experiences without pathologising them, you’re welcome to reach out.
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