Neighbourhood Referral List

AcuElements (Acupuncture, Chinese Herb, Lactation, Physiotherapy, RMT)

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

Trauma-informed care at AcuElements begins with pacing, consent, and predictability. We are attentive to nervous system responses, body autonomy, and the client’s sense of control throughout assessment and treatment. This includes clear communication, permission-based touch, flexibility in positioning, and the option to pause or modify treatment at any time.

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work with clients?

Our clinic serves a highly diverse population, including many newcomers and clients for whom English is not a first language. We prioritize culturally responsive communication, avoid pathologizing differences, and remain aware of how power, migration history, and systemic barriers can shape a client’s healthcare experience. Practical accommodations and respectful curiosity are embedded in our clinical decision-making.

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What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

For us, compassionate care means meeting clients where they are — physically, emotionally, and contextually — rather than where a protocol suggests they “should” be. Treatment plans are collaborative, adaptive, and grounded in the client’s lived reality, capacity, and goals.

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Cascade Massage Therapy (RMT)

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“As registered massage therapists, we are strongly encouraged to practice in a trauma-informed way. I have personally seen how supportive massage therapy can be for people who are also receiving counselling or other mental health care. At Cascade Massage Therapy, we ensure every patient understands what to expect during treatment by reviewing informed consent and emphasizing that they are in control of the session just as much as the therapist. Clients are always free to pause or stop treatment at any time for any reason. We pay close attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues and adjust treatments to meet each patient’s needs. Clear, ongoing communication is a priority, and we encourage clients to let us know if their needs change, if anything feels uncomfortable, or if they would like to shift focus during a session. We aim to create a respectful, inclusive environment where all clients feel safe, heard, and supported.” - Suzanne Malinowski-Plaquin, RMT

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Cedarwood Therapy (RMT)

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

Trauma-informed care in my practice means prioritizing safety, choice, and collaboration. I always explain treatment options clearly, obtain ongoing consent, and adjust techniques based on client comfort and feedback. I work at a pace that feels supportive rather than directive, and I respect each client’s autonomy and lived experience.

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work?

I strive to approach each client without assumptions and with curiosity and respect for their unique cultural, social, and personal context. I am mindful of power dynamics in the treatment room and aim to create an inclusive, non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. I also continue to reflect on my own biases and engage in ongoing learning.

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What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

Compassionate, client-centred care means truly listening to clients and tailoring treatment to their individual goals, needs, and boundaries. It involves meeting clients where they are, validating their experiences, and supporting their healing in a way that feels collaborative and empowering rather than prescriptive.

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Intent Health (RMT)

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

We’re a team of RMTs who have a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach to massage therapy. Trauma-informed care is foundational to how we practice. This includes co-creating physical and relational safety, offering choice and consent throughout treatment, being mindful of the set and setting and how we carry ourselves, collaborating with clients, remaining attentive to nervous system cues, and prioritizing clear communication. We adapt pacing, pressure, positioning, and communication based on each client’s needs and preferences.

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"Trauma-informed massage therapy is an approach to practice and not a massage technique. It involves fostering trust, safety, clear communication and collaboration with patients and reduces the chances of inadvertently causing additional harm. Care provided in a trauma-informed manner is beneficial for all clients and should be applied as a universal standard of care, regardless of trauma history or disclosure." - Intent blog post

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work with clients?

We recognize that bodies exist within social, cultural, and historical contexts, and that experiences of pain and stress are modulated/influenced by these factors. Our approach emphasizes curiosity, ongoing learning, and collaboration rather than positioning ourselves as experts over someone else’s lived experience. We use inclusive language, get curious about meaningful client-led goals, remain mindful of power dynamics inherent in healthcare relationships, and hold regular discussion nights as a team to explore topics and case studies through a trauma-informed lens. 

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What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

Meeting clients where they are, respecting their autonomy, and treating them as active participants in their care. It involves listening closely, adapting care plans collaboratively, and recognizing strengths and resilience alongside challenges. For us, compassion also shows up in how we care for ourselves and stay connected to the shared experience of being human, which allows us to hold genuine respect for each person’s boundaries, goals, and lived experience.

 

Josh Chen Physio

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

Trauma-informed care shows up in how I pace sessions, explain what I’m doing, and give people real choice over their bodies. I ask consent before hands-on work, and adapt my approach when someone indicates that they're feeling overwhelmed or guarded - sometimes this may be only through their body language. In particular with clients who have a history of negative experiences in healthcare settings or trauma, I slow down my movements and check in more often to establish ongoing consent.

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work with clients?

As a queer, Asian physiotherapist, I’m mindful of power dynamics in healthcare and aim to empower clients in our sessions to make collaborative decisions together, rather than taking a patriarchal approach. Practically, this may look like flexible goal-setting, adapting exercises to someone’s life constraints (and being understanding when patients may not be as compliant in their homecare plan), and not assuming everyone has the same time, resources, or comfort with gym-style rehab. I aim to treat each person with dignity and respect, no matter what their background or personal circumstances.

 

What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

To me, this means seeing the person before the diagnosis, and understanding that everyone's recovery trajectory looks different. Pain, injury, and rehabilitation don’t exist in isolation, so I listen to what matters to someone and shape our care plan around their priorities and responsibilities. Client empowerment is also central to client-centred care - making sure clients feel heard, respected, and capable in their own bodies is a crucial part of a successful therapeutic relationship.

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The Physio Shop (Physio)

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

At The Physio Shop, trauma-informed care shows up in how we prioritize safety, choice, and collaboration in every interaction. We recognize that pain, injury, and hands-on treatment can feel vulnerable, so we take time to explain what we’re doing, seek ongoing consent, and adjust our approach based on each client’s comfort level. We emphasize client autonomy, offer options whenever possible, and respect boundaries - including the option to pause, modify, or decline any aspect of treatment. Our goal is to create an environment where clients feel heard, respected, and in control of their care.

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work with clients?

We aim to provide care that is respectful, inclusive, and responsive to each client’s lived experience. This includes being mindful of how systemic barriers, identity, culture, and past experiences can influence access to care, health outcomes, and comfort within clinical spaces. We approach each client without assumptions, remain open to feedback, and adapt our communication and treatment plans to meet individual needs. As a clinic, we are committed to ongoing learning and reflection to ensure our practices remain equitable and supportive of diverse communities.

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What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

Compassionate, client-centred care means meeting clients where they are, considering the client as a whole physically, emotionally, and functionally, and partnering with them in their recovery. We take time to understand clients’ goals, concerns, and priorities, rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses. Treatment plans are collaborative and flexible, recognizing that progress isn’t linear and that life context matters. We believe compassionate care is built on trust, patience, and clear communication, and we strive to ensure clients feel supported throughout their healing process.

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VanCity Physio 

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How does trauma-informed care show up in your day-to-day clinical practice?

In our physiotherapists day-to-day practice, trauma-informed care starts with recognizing that many people come into physiotherapy with lived experiences that affect how safe their bodies feel—both physically and emotionally. We prioritize creating an environment where clients feel respected, heard, and in control. This means clearly explaining what to expect during assessments and treatments, asking for consent before any hands-on care, and checking in regularly about comfort and boundaries.

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We also remain attentive to signs of nervous system dysregulation, such as heightened pain responses, anxiety, or dissociation, and adjust my approach accordingly. Treatment plans are flexible and paced collaboratively, allowing clients to engage at a level that feels safe for them.

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How do you incorporate anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, or equity-informed principles into your work with clients?

We approach each client with an awareness that health and pain are shaped by a multitude of factors, not just biomechanics. We strive to reflect on my own positionality as a healthcare provider and remain mindful of power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship. This includes using inclusive language, respecting clients’ identities and lived experiences, and avoiding assumptions about goals, beliefs, or capacity based on appearance, background, or diagnosis.

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From an equity-informed lens, we also recognize barriers to care such as financial stress or work demands, and aim to provide flexible, realistic plans that meet clients where they are.

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What does compassionate, client-centred care mean to you in your practice?

Compassionate, client-centred care means seeing the person before the condition. In practice, this looks like genuinely listening to a client’s story, validating their experiences with pain or injury, and collaborating on goals that align with what matters most to them—not just clinical markers of success.

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As physiotherapists, we view ourselves as a guide rather than an expert dictating solutions. We aim to empower clients with education, choice, and agency, supporting them to build confidence in their bodies at their own pace. Compassion also means being adaptable—recognizing that progress is not always linear and that care sometimes looks like slowing down, adjusting expectations, or simply holding space.