Providing trauma-informed resources, training, and support for anyone who cares for children.

What Do We Do?

We support individuals committed to fostering children who have undergone traumatic experiences, understanding the difficulties associated connection, emotions, and behaviors that can often follow suit.

Our purpose is to instill hope, assuring you that we've witnessed remarkable transformations firsthand through our programs repeatedly. As the sole organization offering complex care interventions, we work closely with a child’s entire support team, leading to significant improvements in the child’s life.

We use a unique tool to assess a child's development and monitor it over time, and provide counseling services and resources to caregivers for comprehensive support.

Who We Serve

Educators

We offer resources and courses for educators to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom. Our materials equip you with a deeper understanding of trauma's impact on young minds, practical tools, and help you meet PRO D day requirements. Above all, we promote safe environments that support student development and wellness.

Caregivers

We understand that as a caregiver, dealing with children's intense emotions can be exhausting. That's why we offer clinical services, counseling, online courses, and practical resources to help you. By joining our community, you can connect with us and find the support you need.

Clinicians

Complex Trauma Resources offers support to clinicians, therapists, and counselors working with kids and youth. We provide in-person training, online courses, webinars, books, and access to our developmental assessment tool, HeART, to enhance your practice. Join us in creating a trauma-centric approach and making a positive impact.

Group Home Workers

Complex Trauma Resources provides tools for agencies to help children affected by trauma. The resources aim to reduce hyperarousal, improve emotional regulation, and increase job satisfaction and staff retention. Available resources include coaching, training, courses, webinars, and books.

Our Team

Dr. Chuck Geddes
R. Psych, Clinical Director

Dr. Chuck Geddes has worked extensively in the fields of Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare over the past 15 years, serving in various clinical roles including supervision of staff and interns. He completed his PhD at Colorado State University and MA at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Geddes became interested in the role of complex trauma in children’s neurological development through the work of The Child Trauma Academy, Dan Siegel, and others. He developed the Complex Care and Intervention (CCI) program as a way to embed a trauma-focused therapeutic perspective into the care of children in the foster system. Dr. Geddes provides education and training to social workers, foster parents, and mental health clinicians across the province of British Columbia. Helping adoptive parents who adopt children from traumatic backgrounds is another area of growing interest. Chuck and his wife have three adult sons and one of whom has special needs. In his spare time Chuck will often be found hiking, biking, or playing old-timer hockey.
Interest in complex trauma:
“I love how the last 10 years of developmental brain science has shed light on what we once saw as absolutely intractable problems in children. I get excited to see a team of caregivers around a child begin to understand trauma principles, apply them in a creative fashion, and rejoice as they see children and youth respond, grow, and heal.”

Dr. Kirk Austin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and is actively involved in the development of CTR training materials, and trains therapists throughout British Columbia in the effective use of the CCI model. He is a registered member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and The Canadian Center for Applied Research in Cancer Control. Dr. Austin completed his B.A. in Psychology at Trinity Western University prior to completing his M.A at Liberty University. He received his doctoral degree in the field of psychology at the University of South Africa and has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate level psychology courses at Lower Mainland universities in British Columbia as well as providing clinical supervision to MA level counselling students, and publishing several peer-reviewed research articles. In 2012, Dr. Austin served as the Clinical Director of an award-winning human resource management company prior to joining Complex Trauma Resources (CTR).
Interest in complex trauma:
“Neuroplasticity: It’s a funny word with tremendous implications. Knowing that the brain can change energizes my interest in helping children grow and develop in healthy ways despite their trauma-filled beginnings. Seeing adults learn, use, and see the benefits of the CCI model in action energizes my desire to train educators, foster parents, and care teams that support children impacted by trauma.”

Brenda completed her undergraduate and graduate training at Dordt College and California State University, Fresno. Over the past 20 years, she has worked in various trauma related clinical roles within the B.C. government system, notably developing a suicide prevention program and providing sexual abuse therapy and community education. Brenda joined the CCI team in 2012 providing input on training development. She travels extensively throughout BC providing training, supervision and mentoring on CCI cases. Brenda and her husband have 4 children. She is actively providing training for the leaders of girl’s programs and crisis line programs as well as training educational personnel in the area of communication, self-harm, suicide and grief, and loss.
Interest in complex trauma:
Brenda’s interest in complex trauma began though her experience in working with children and families. Acknowledging that trauma has a unique impact on the development of children, Brenda has become interested in the training of care teams about the nature of trauma and how to intervene in the lives of children toward lasting positive change.

Angela Murphy is an author, school psychologist and Complex Trauma Resource’s Director of School Programs. She wholeheartedly believes that ALL students can learn and that no child is intrinsically bad. It is her life’s work to support teams of students who’ve experienced hard things via a collaborative and trauma-focused approach.
She completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dalhousie University, and later completed a B.Ed. degree from the University of Calgary (U of C). Next, she completed a Master’s degree in Child and Applied Psychology from the U of C. Angela brings expansive knowledge from her work over the past decade in Indigenous communities, and the past 5 years working from a trauma focused lens. She has a profound respect for delivering safe and caring practices, is a life-long learner and an educator at heart.
Interest in Complex Trauma:
My interest in complex trauma began with my work as a school psychologist when I noticed that many of the students I was seeing had a list of diagnoses, without taking into consideration the effects of complex and intergenerational trauma. It seemed that the recommended interventions based on the diagnoses didn’t match the child’s complex needs. Since I have implemented the CTR framework in schools, I have seen positive, life-changing outcomes. These experiences have given me a great sense of hope for children and families who have struggled with complex trauma.

Nicole has worked extensively with children at risk in SE Asia for over 13 years providing educational and mentoring support, facilitating counseling seminars & training opportunities & engaging in international collaboration for the welfare of disadvantaged youth and children. She directed a cross cultural counseling program in Australia prior to moving to Thailand. She completed her Masters of Counselling at Gonzaga University and has been known to build strong rapport with individuals and children. She often infuses a trauma-informed approach in her practice, while working with individuals (children and adults) that struggle with anxiety, depression, and loss. Nicole and her husband now live in Canada and love the adventures and craziness that having four children bring into their lives.
Interest in Complex Trauma:
My interest in trauma began while I was living in Asia and facing difficult situations with at risk children and youth. Since this time, I have been cultivating an understanding of the complexities and associated challenges that trauma brings to an individual: neurologically, emotionally & developmentally which might sound disparaging and it can be. Yet, neuroscience has proven that the plasticity of the brain coupled with effective interventions alongside nurturing caregivers can enhance healing and a changed way of life. I love the holistic approach and a caring team that I am able to work alongside in order to better the lives of children and youth.

Renae is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and holds a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She has experience working with children, youth, and families who have been impacted by trauma and attachment disruptions.
As a mother to three children of her own, biological and adoptive, Renae is passionate about child development and supporting and parents and caregivers to ensure their children have a bright future. She considers it a great privilege to work collaboratively with the important people in a child’s life to help the child heal, grow, and become more fully themselves.
Renae is also the founder of Free To Be Talks, a non-profit organization that promotes positive body image, and co-founder of Care For Women, a non-profit organization that supports and resources women in the complex and challenging first weeks of motherhood.
While her kids are her young, her other interests have been tailored to playing playdough, building in the sandbox, and running around outside.
Interest in complex trauma:
“My interest in complex trauma stems from my personal life and helping my own child who had experienced complex trauma. I experienced profound positive changes in my own family after I began parenting from a trauma-informed perspective. Everything that I had been reading and studying for the last number of years came together in a comprehensive, accessible model when I was introduced to framework of the CCI. As every parent says, “I wish I knew the information I know now, back then” – I believe the CCI provides education and a framework in a very helpful way to support not just the child, but everyone involved, to become the family that they want to be.”

Joanna is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology. In addition to working with the Complex Trauma Resources (CTR) team, Joanna provides clinical counselling within an interdisciplinary health care setting. This position involves providing emotional and practical support to patients and their family members in the midst of significant illness. Joanna co-facilitates a children’s group which focuses on psychosocial support for children with cancer in their family. Previously, Joanna was in private practice and has experience working as a Career Development Practitioner in employment services with those experiencing multiple barriers to employment. Joanna has also volunteered with police-based victim services to provide emotional support to victims of crime and tragedy.
Joanna and her husband have three children. As a mother, Joanna is familiar with the challenges and joys of raising children. Joanna understands that each child is unique with their own strengths and areas in their lives that are still developing.
Interest in Complex Trauma:
Throughout my career, I have seen the effects that adverse early childhood experiences have on people’s mental well-being and physical health. Because early childhood trauma changes the developmental trajectory of those who have experienced trauma, it is exciting to be a part of a team that provides early intervention to children.
As both a counsellor and mother, I love helping others develop a growth mindset. It is exciting that as human beings we are not ‘fixed’ but have the ability to change our brains by the way we think and how we behave. It is a privilege to walk alongside children and caregivers as they experience growth and development as a result of the Complex Care and Intervention (CCI) program.

Maria has her BA in Psychology & Business, and is currently working towards completing her Master’s in Organizational Psychology at Adler University in Vancouver.
She is originally from Colombia, where she lived until the age of 18. From the time she was a teenager, she’s had the opportunity to volunteer with various organizations that care for children & adults with trauma backgrounds. So far she’s been able to do this in Colombia, Uganda, and most recently Vancouver, Canada. Apart from volunteering; her experiences growing up in a developing country and as an immigrant in Canada, have ignited her passion for working to advocate for those in underprivileged positions.
Prior to joining the team at Complex Trauma Resources, Maria spent several years working with University students. Supporting those with mental health challenges, and students struggling to engage socially & academically.
In her own time she can be found at the movie theatre, trying out a new recipe or dreaming about her next international adventure.
Interest in complex trauma:
My interest in Trauma was stirred by the concern I felt for those who based on their circumstances, struggled to form healthy attachments. Learning about neuroplasticity filled me with optimism. Which is why I am happy to work with a team that has developed an approach that provides children with opportunities for healing & connection, and their caretakers with hope.