About ATTCH Niagara

The Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara is a Non-Profit Mental Health Clinic and Registered Charitable Organization (795094739RR0001) formed by our parent organization, Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) which provides training in current best practice trauma-specialized treatment.
At our clinic we specialize in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, attachment dysregulation, attachment-informed parenting, wellness, and the prevention of compassion fatigue. Our primary approach to treatment is ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) ®. Our Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)® is a trauma-specific model that layers in sensory processing, art, breath work, somatic therapies, embodied awareness, toning and movement, bilateral stimulation, resource installation, parts work integration, and amygdala reframing messages.
We are located in St. Catharines, Ontario and provide service to residents of all ages within the Niagara Region. Although we provide counselling for all mental health and wellness concerns we specialize in providing treatment for complex issues and traumas such as traumatic loss (death by murder, death by suicide); childhood abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, home invasions, human trafficking, exploitation etc.
These, sadly, are not uncommon occurrences. As many as 1 in 4 youth will experience a potentially traumatic (or adverse childhood experience ACE) experience and many of these will be multiple or prolonged experiences. The impact of these stressors is far-reaching, and often repeats across generations as yesterday's impacted children become tomorrow's parents and caregivers. According to Dr. Robert Block, former president of the American Academy of Paediatrics “Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today.”
Research has a demonstrated a direct relationship between our early adverse experiences and later life health outcomes in many domains as indicated by a multitude of sources (Burke Harris, 2014; Felitti & Anda, 2009; Centre for Disease and Control, 2014):
At ATTCH Niagara our primary focus is on that of creating a sense of safety and harmonizing the psychological, cognitive, and physiological responses of the body to trauma. We understand that regulating the nervous system is very important to ongoing resiliency and optimal development. As a result we incorporate somatic, mindfulness meditation, yoga, and various other holistic wellness practices to increase attention span, regulate the body and mind, and optimize the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviours.
At our clinic we specialize in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, attachment dysregulation, attachment-informed parenting, wellness, and the prevention of compassion fatigue. Our primary approach to treatment is ATTCH's Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM) ®. Our Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)® is a trauma-specific model that layers in sensory processing, art, breath work, somatic therapies, embodied awareness, toning and movement, bilateral stimulation, resource installation, parts work integration, and amygdala reframing messages.
We are located in St. Catharines, Ontario and provide service to residents of all ages within the Niagara Region. Although we provide counselling for all mental health and wellness concerns we specialize in providing treatment for complex issues and traumas such as traumatic loss (death by murder, death by suicide); childhood abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, home invasions, human trafficking, exploitation etc.
These, sadly, are not uncommon occurrences. As many as 1 in 4 youth will experience a potentially traumatic (or adverse childhood experience ACE) experience and many of these will be multiple or prolonged experiences. The impact of these stressors is far-reaching, and often repeats across generations as yesterday's impacted children become tomorrow's parents and caregivers. According to Dr. Robert Block, former president of the American Academy of Paediatrics “Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today.”
Research has a demonstrated a direct relationship between our early adverse experiences and later life health outcomes in many domains as indicated by a multitude of sources (Burke Harris, 2014; Felitti & Anda, 2009; Centre for Disease and Control, 2014):
- ACE studies calculate that for each adverse childhood experience risk for early initiation of substances increased 3-4 times;
- ACEs account for 1/2 to 2/3 of serious substance use;
- ACES increased the likelihood of sex before 15 for girls and the risk for impregnating a teenager for males;
- There is an increased prevalence of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Suicidality, and Impulse Control Disorders;
- ACES increase the likelihood for being both the victim of or aggressor of intimate partner violence;
- ACES are attributed to an increased risk for Ischemic Heart Disease, Stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Diabetes, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases;
- ACES are also attributed to impaired worker performance inclusive of absenteeism, job performance, and financial problems.
At ATTCH Niagara our primary focus is on that of creating a sense of safety and harmonizing the psychological, cognitive, and physiological responses of the body to trauma. We understand that regulating the nervous system is very important to ongoing resiliency and optimal development. As a result we incorporate somatic, mindfulness meditation, yoga, and various other holistic wellness practices to increase attention span, regulate the body and mind, and optimize the ability to regulate their emotions and behaviours.
Healing Life's Hurts...

Purpose: The purpose of the Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara is to provide free and low cost state of the art attachment and trauma treatment and focusing on holistic wellness and preventative care (early intervention) to facilitate healing.
Vision: Providing quality treatment to meet the unique needs of clients. Promoting healing and resilience through education, support, and connection.
Mission: Healing life’s hurts through awareness, compassion, and self-care.
Vision: Providing quality treatment to meet the unique needs of clients. Promoting healing and resilience through education, support, and connection.
Mission: Healing life’s hurts through awareness, compassion, and self-care.

ATTCH Niagara is proud to be a Certified Trauma Informed Organization. As a Certified Trauma Informed Organization (CTIO) ATTCH Niagara has taken steps to ensure comprehensive agency-wide training to implement a trauma-informed approach and utilizes the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)® to make leading edge and evidence based treatment available to our clients.
ATTCH Niagara is Proud Member of the Complex Trauma Treatment Affiliates Program

ATTCH Niagara is so honoured to have been invited as a member of the Complex Trauma Treatment Affiliates program. This is a fabulous network of highly skilled trauma specific therapists. It is so nice to network and consult with others. As a therapist in private practice typically training and supervising others this has been a rich resource for collaborating and further broadening knowledge and skills. Check out their website (link below) for further details. “The Complex Trauma Treatment Affiliates are an independent network of senior complex trauma therapists and clinical supervisors. The Complex Trauma Treatment Affiliates program is not a comprehensive registry of trauma therapists. CTTA membership is restricted to a carefully selected group of not more than two dozen psychotherapists across the United States and Canada.” https://www.ctttn.org/treatment-centers-affiliates/complex-trauma-treatment-affiliates/ #complextraumatreatmentaffiliate #CTTA#complextrauma #complextraumarecovery #complextraumaawareness#CPTSD #ITATM #ATTCH
ATTCH Niagara Caring Community Connections Initiative

Together, the staff and volunteers at Attachment & Trauma Treatment Center for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara, are building a safe and inclusive Facebook Group designed to provide live discussions and free interactive activities for people who are living alone, feeling lonely and want to make some new connections.
We will even assist anyone to get started by offering one to one phone assistance to explain how to use features such as message, video chat and to make to most out of connecting via FB. (Contact us to schedule a call.)
Please help us attract more followers and participants by liking, sharing and leaving a comment on our Facebook Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2973605442729733/about/
It is important to us that this space feels safe and inclusive for all. We ask all group participants to be mindful of contributing to this by engaging with others only in a kind supportive manner.
Stay tuned for our upcoming schedule of free and inclusive virtual activities & opportunities to chat for ALL!
Please contact ATTCHNiagara@gmail.com for more details or to volunteer.
THANK YOU!!
We will even assist anyone to get started by offering one to one phone assistance to explain how to use features such as message, video chat and to make to most out of connecting via FB. (Contact us to schedule a call.)
Please help us attract more followers and participants by liking, sharing and leaving a comment on our Facebook Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2973605442729733/about/
It is important to us that this space feels safe and inclusive for all. We ask all group participants to be mindful of contributing to this by engaging with others only in a kind supportive manner.
Stay tuned for our upcoming schedule of free and inclusive virtual activities & opportunities to chat for ALL!
Please contact ATTCHNiagara@gmail.com for more details or to volunteer.
THANK YOU!!
ATTCH Niagara Uses Integrative Approaches to Promote Emotional Regulation
This 'flipping your lid' infographic and video provide some further insight into the hand-brain model (coined by Dr. Daniel Siegel) and our treatment approach: flipping your lid
ATTCH Niagara is grateful to have received funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund. In addition to ensuring a safe space for our clients, therapists and volunteers, this funding will also support the delivery of free trauma-specialized therapy to low income populations in need of treatment. |
Thank you to Jenna Francis, Photographer, Naturally Photography for supplying many of the images on our site, the soothing nature of your images are much in-line with our treatment focus ~ creating a sense of safety. You can see more of Jenna's work on her website at:
http://www.naturally-photography.com
http://www.naturally-photography.com