Therapy for trauma in Colorado

Trauma therapy helps you process and heal from the effects of traumatic experiences, which often occur too quickly for us to fully process at the time. In therapy, you have a safe space to access and work through these memories. It involves various techniques that allow you to explore and address the impact of trauma on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I use IFS-informed therapy, EMDR, and other approaches tailored to your specific needs to help you process your experiences, develop coping skills, and alleviate emotional and physiological symptoms. The goal is to help you get traumatic memories "unstuck," enabling your brain and body to process and integrate them so you can live more freely and fully. Learn more.

Trauma can affect anyone, and its impact isn’t always immediately obvious. You might have experienced trauma if you’ve faced events or situations that felt overwhelmingly distressing or threatening to your safety and well-being. Signs of trauma include:

• Intrusive Memories: Recurrent, distressing memories or flashbacks of the event.

• Emotional Distress: Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger that don’t seem to go away.

• Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders or situations related to the traumatic event.

• Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, having difficulty sleeping, or being easily startled.

• Negative Changes: Shifts in how you view yourself, others, or the world, including feelings of guilt or shame.

• Behavioral Changes: Noticeable changes in your behavior or mood, such as increased irritability or withdrawal from activities and relationships.

Childhood trauma can be especially complex because you might not have conscious memories of the events. However, trauma from early life can still affect you through emotional responses, physical sensations, and behavioral patterns. Your body and subconscious mind may hold onto these early experiences, even if you don’t remember them clearly. Learn more.

IFS-informed therapy, based on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, is a therapeutic approach that explores and addresses the different "parts" of your psyche. This approach believes that our minds are composed of various parts, each with its own perspectives, emotions, and roles. Key elements include the "Self," which represents our core compassionate and wise inner being, and other parts such as managers, firefighters, and exiles.

In this therapy, we work to identify and understand these parts, how they interact, and the roles they play in your emotional life. By fostering a dialogue between these parts and the Self, IFS therapy aims to heal internal conflicts, integrate fragmented aspects of the self, and promote emotional resilience. This process helps you develop greater self-awareness, compassion, and harmony within, facilitating healing from trauma and improving overall well-being.

Although I am not officially trained in the IFS model, I integrate its principles into my practice. In the IFS community this is known as being "IFS informed". This includes using insights into how different parts of your internal system interact and applying these understandings to support your healing journey. This blend of IFS principles with other therapeutic techniques enriches the therapeutic experience and helps address your unique needs effectively. Learn more.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialized approach designed to help us process and heal from traumatic experiences. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR uses structured techniques to target and reprocess distressing memories that are often stuck in our nervous system.

During EMDR sessions, we focus on distressing memories while engaging in guided bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This process helps to desensitize the emotional charge associated with these traumatic memories and facilitates their integration into a healthier perspective.

Our goal with EMDR is to reduce the emotional and psychological distress caused by traumatic memories, allowing us to process these experiences more effectively and gain a sense of resolution. Through this therapy, we often find significant improvements in emotional well-being, a reduction in trauma-related symptoms, and the development of healthier coping mechanisms. Learn more.

In my virtual EMDR sessions, I adapt the traditional techniques for an online setting. For bilateral stimulation, I use a computer program that provides visual and/or auditory cues that you can engage with through your screen. I can also instruct you on tactile bilateral stimulation such as tapping by observing your movements through our video connection. This approach ensures we can effectively process and address distressing memories and their emotional impact, just as we would in person. Learn more.

To begin, contact me to schedule a free 15-20 minute phone or video consultation. In this initial call, we'll discuss your experiences and goals related to trauma, and I'll answer any questions you may have. If it feels like a good fit, we’ll arrange your first session. From there, we’ll have regular sessions focused on processing past trauma and developing new coping skills to help you heal and move forward with confidence in your relationships and life. Reach out.