The Trauma Therapy Network of Ontario (TTNO) is a provincial initiative led by Women’s College Hospital that expands access to evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for adults affected by childhood trauma. TTNO provides virtual group therapy for patients across Ontario and delivers training and resources to healthcare providers and organizations to strengthen trauma-informed care in their communities.
TTNO is for patients living in Ontario who reside outside of the M postal code. Our Trauma Therapy Program (TTP), is for patients residing within the M postal code or re-referrals for patients previously seen in TTP. If you live within the M postal code and are looking to access our services, click here.
View Our Programs
Photo Credit: Meaghan Peckham
Vision
Every individual in Ontario affected by childhood trauma has access to high-quality, trauma-focused care that supports healing and strengthens communities.
Mission
Expanding the province’s capacity to deliver accessible and effective trauma-focused treatment, professional training and widespread education to advance knowledge and improve outcomes for adults affected by childhood trauma.
Values
Equity
Compassion
Quality
Innovation
Community
Latest News
Psychoeducation is an important first step in the treatment of mental health conditions and the Trauma PORTAL intervention shows promising evidence for symptom reduction.
A New Prescription for Healthcare
More than 60 per cent of Canadians carry the weight of trauma, whether it’s childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence or systemic discrimination. Research shows that when Trauma Informed Care principles are applied, patient outcomes improve, healthcare staff experience less burnout, and trust in the healthcare system strengthens.
Trauma-focused training improves knowledge, attitudes and skills of healthcare providers and can positively affect patients’ satisfaction.
If you’ve experienced trauma in your childhood, finding support can be an important step in your healing. Women’s College Hospital’s Trauma Therapy Network of Ontario (TTNO) specializes in providing trauma-focused therapy services to adults of all genders with histories of childhood interpersonal trauma.
Through our Trauma PORTAL, we support individuals who have experienced physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/or neglect before the age of 18 and are seeking help with the lasting effects of those experiences in their lives today.
The program currently offers the Trauma PORTAL which is an 8-week psychoeducational and skill-building therapy group that participants complete at their own pace through a virtual learning platform, with the option of attending weekly 1-hour group sessions facilitated by TTNO trauma therapists.
The Trauma PORTAL Supports Patients to:
- Develop a deeper understanding of how early trauma contributes to current symptoms or challenges
- Learn and apply strategies to manage difficult experiences such as overwhelming emotions, anxiety, dissociation, flashbacks, urges to self-harm, numbing behaviours, etc.
- Recognize relational patterns that may be linked to past trauma
- Build more flexible, connected, and regulated ways of relating
- Strengthen capacity for self-care and emotional regulation in daily life
The Trauma PORTAL intervention is designed for people who have experienced childhood trauma and are interested in better understanding how it contributes to symptoms and challenging they are experiences in their adult life.
The intervention is best suited for you if:
- You are comfortable with self-paced learning
- Able to safely work through the online material on your own
- Interested in coming together to discuss the content and share insights in a group setting
This program is not designed for acute symptom stabilization or for addressing adult experiences of domestic violence or sexual assault.
A referral from a physician or nurse practitioner involved in your ongoing care is required. All newly referred clients must attend a Trauma PORTAL orientation session. Please see the section below for details on eligibility and next steps.
Participants also need reliable access to a tablet or computer and a stable internet connection to complete the online material.
To be considered for the program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner who is providing ongoing care
- Have a history of childhood trauma (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/or neglect occurring between the ages of 0–18)
- No psychiatric admissions within the last 6 months
- Our program is not available to patients under the age of 18
TTNO’s Trauma PORTAL is for patients living in Ontario who reside outside of the M postal code. If you live within the M postal code and are looking to access trauma services or have previously received services in TTP and would like to be re-referred click here.
After completing the Trauma PORTAL Group, you will be discharged to the care of your family doctor or referring provider.
Next Steps
All new patients are invited to attend a Program Orientation Session, which is required to be considered for services. Following orientation, an Intake Assessment will determine whether the program is an appropriate fit.
The Trauma Therapy Network of Ontario (TTNO) accepts referrals from physicians and nurse practitioners. Eligible patients can be referred for an orientation and assessment to determine next steps.
To be considered for the program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be referred by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner who is providing ongoing care
- Have a history of childhood trauma (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/or neglect occurring between the ages of 0–18)
- No psychiatric admissions within the last 6 months
- Our program does not accept patients under the age of 18 years of age
TTNO’s Trauma PORTAL is for patients living in Ontario who reside outside of the M postal code. If you live within the M postal code and are looking to access trauma services or have previously received services in TTP and would like to be re-referred click here.
- Not in acute crisis (e.g., experiencing housing instability or unsafe relationships)
- No acute symptoms that would significantly interfere with participation (e.g., psychosis, severe substance use, acute suicidality, or active legal issues)
- Have the capacity to engage in treatment and follow group guidelines (e.g., confidentiality, emotional regulation)
- Communicate respectfully with the treatment provider, team, and fellow participants
All new patients are invited to attend a Program Orientation Session, which is required to be considered for services. Following orientation, an Intake Assessment will determine whether the program is an appropriate fit.
After completing the Trauma PORTAL, your patient will be discharged back to your care.
Mental Health Program Referral Form (.pdf)
Once completed, please fax to 416-323-6356.
CARES (Community Access to Relational & Educational Skill-building) is a virtual training and implementation program that supports healthcare organizations in offering a structured, trauma-focused therapy group for adults with histories of childhood trauma. Developed and evaluated within the Trauma Therapy Program at Women’s College Hospital, it is evidence-based and designed to be delivered by trained healthcare providers. The program equips clinicians with the training, materials and supervision required to run the CARES group with confidence.
The CARES group is an eight-week psychoeducational and skill-building therapy for adults who experienced abuse or neglect in childhood. Each session integrates practical information about the effects of trauma with strategies for emotional regulation, relationship building, and self compassion. The group helps participants understand how trauma shapes the body and mind, notice triggers, and build skills that support safety, connection and resilience.
Please note, CARES will be launching in Winter 2026. Check back for updates.
The demand for trauma therapy is high, particularly for adults with a history of childhood interpersonal trauma. CARES responds to this urgent need by ensuring that people living in Ontario who have been impacted by childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect, have equitable, accessible and community-based trauma services.
Requirements for participation:
- Each organization must have at least four staff members participate in the CARES training
- Staff must successfully complete the online, self-paced CARES training program, which takes about five hours
- After completing the training, clinicians who are licensed to practice psychotherapy in Ontario will facilitate the 8-week CARES group within their organization
Note: The CARES training program trains clinicians to deliver the CARES group. It is not a general psychotherapy training program.
Your organization can take part at no cost and will receive:
- Access to the self-paced CARES training program
- Virtual supervision from trauma therapy specialists while you implement the CARES group at your site
- All patient-facing materials and handouts needed to run the group
- Access to updated materials
- Opportunities to join a growing network of trauma care providers
CARES has demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, along with improvements in depression and anxiety. Nearly all participants reported better access to care and said they would recommend the program to others.
Join us in expanding access to trauma care across Ontario. Participation is free and includes access to all training resources, group materials, and virtual supervision during implementation of the CARES group.
If your agency is interested in partnering with Women’s College Hospital and TTNO through CARES, please check back in Winter 2026 for the sign-up form.
-
- Access to high-quality, evidence-based trauma-focused training via the CARES self-paced training program including online multimedia content, transcripts
- A pdf handouts package for CARE group facilitators to provide to patients in your CARES group
- Weekly one-hour virtual supervision from experienced trauma therapists at Women’s College Hospital during the implementation of your first two 8-week CARES groups (i.e., 16 hours of virtual supervision in total)
- Opportunities for connection, reflection, and knowledge-sharing with trauma therapists from WCH to reduce burnout and strengthen quality of care
- Ongoing access to updated material for trainers and group participants annually