Top Trauma Therapist in Denver
Find Healing and Hope Through Trauma Therapy
“The wounding becomes sacred when we are willing to release our old stories and to become the vehicles through which the new story may emerge into time.”
– J. Houston
Life can sometimes present us with experiences that leave lasting scars. These experiences, often referred to as trauma, can significantly impact our emotional, psychological, and even physical well-being. It can also disturb our relationships, or prevent us from having lasting intimacy. If you’re here, you may be wondering if what you’re feeling is related to trauma, or perhaps you know you’ve had an experience like this, and are seeking a path toward healing. I want you to know that you’re not alone, and I’m here to offer a place to speak the unspeakable and guide you into healing that scar.
What is Trauma?
The word trauma comes from Greek origin, meaning wound. Trauma is often a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms our ability to cope. It is too much, too fast. It can result from a single event or a series of events. It can happen with us knowing about it, or not knowing about it. It can happen when we are children, and when we are adults. What one person finds traumatic, another may not. Some examples of potentially traumatic experiences include:
- Accidents and Natural Disasters: Car accidents, earthquakes, fires, etc.
- Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
- Neglect: Emotional or physical neglect during childhood.
- Violence: Witnessing or experiencing violence.
- Loss: Sudden or unexpected loss of a loved one.
- Medical Trauma: Invasive medical procedures or serious illnesses.
- War and Conflict: Experiencing combat or displacement due to war.
The impact of a traumatic event is what defines it as traumatic, not necessarily the event itself. Trauma fundamentally changes the way we process and respond to stress, and painfully disconnects us from our core sense of self.
How Trauma Affects Us
The effects of trauma can be far-reaching and deeply personal. It can alter how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Some common ways trauma manifests include:
- Emotional Dysregulation: Experiencing intense mood swings, feeling easily overwhelmed, or having difficulty managing anger, sadness, or anxiety.
- Difficulty with Relationships: Struggling to form or maintain healthy relationships, experiencing trust issues, or feeling isolated from others.
- Intrusive Thoughts/Memories: Experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted thoughts related to the traumatic event(s).
- Negative Self-Perception: Holding negative beliefs about oneself, feeling worthless, guilty, or ashamed.
- Physical Symptoms: Experiencing physical pain, fatigue, digestive issues, or other stress-related symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma is the first step toward seeking help. These signs can vary from person to person, but some common indicators include:
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Feeling constantly on edge, experiencing sudden episodes of intense fear.
- Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities.
- Avoidance: Avoiding people, places, or situations that trigger memories of the trauma.
- Hyperarousal: Feeling easily startled, having difficulty sleeping, or being constantly vigilant.
- Dissociation: Feeling detached from one’s body or emotions, experiencing a sense of unreality.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Having trouble focusing or remembering things.
- Changes in Appetite or Sleep Patterns: Experiencing significant changes in eating habits or sleep quality.
- Relationship Abuse: Violence, abuse, neglect, or constant judgement or disempowerment within an important relationship.
- Shameful Actions During Addiction or a Stage of Life: engaging in behaviors that you regret or wish you hadn’t.
It’s important to remember that these symptoms are normal responses to abnormal events. They don’t mean you are weak or broken. They are simply signs that your nervous system is struggling to process what happened.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers a safe and supportive space to process traumatic experiences and regain a sense of safety. It can help you:
- Process Traumatic Memories: Gently explore and reprocess traumatic memories in a safe and controlled environment.
- Reduce Symptoms: Learn techniques to manage anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related symptoms.
- Develop Coping Skills: Build resilience and develop healthy coping strategies to deal with stress and triggers.
- Improve Relationships: Enhance communication skills and rebuild trust in relationships.
- Reclaim Your Life: Empower yourself to move forward and live a fulfilling life, free from the hold of trauma.
What to Expect from Trauma Therapy
Beginning trauma therapy can feel daunting, but it’s a courageous step toward healing. Here’s what you can generally expect:
- Building a Safe and Trusting Relationship: The initial sessions will focus on establishing a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and safety.
- Psychoeducation: Learning about trauma and its effects on the brain and body.
- Symptom Management: Developing coping skills to manage immediate symptoms and triggers.
- Trauma Processing (when you are ready): Gradually processing traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner.
- Integration and Moving Forward: Integrating the traumatic experience into your life narrative and developing a sense of hope for the future.
Therapy is a collaborative process, and the pace will be determined by your individual needs and comfort level. It’s okay to feel vulnerable and to ask questions. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can heal and thrive.
