Trauma Therapy in Denver

Traumatic events, something that most of us will encounter at least once in our lifetime, overwhelm our ability to cope and shake our understanding of ourselves or the world.

Traumatic experiences can come in many forms:

Difficult experiences in childhood with caregivers or other trusted adults
An unexpected event like experiencing or witnessing an accident
Loss of a loved one
Sexual assault or abuse
Relational trauma such as repeated experiences of being criticized, rejected, or bullied
Exposure to a threat to safety or collective trauma such as a school shooting
A challenging or unexpected life transition like loss of a job, sudden move, or divorce
Experiences of marginalization, discrimination, and oppression

Sometimes, in order to move on from trauma, we have to move through it.

You have survived worse and likely, to some degree, on your own. Many people who have survived trauma might notice...

Intense, unsettling emotions whenever you think about what happened, or the opposite — feeling completely numb and disconnected from yourself or the world.

Feeling jumpy or on edge, worrying something bad will happen again.

You try your best to avoid thinking about your past, but memories or images find a way to creep in during moments of quiet or even in your dreams.

Lingering feelings of shame or guilt, as if there is something you could have done differently, even if you know there wasn't.

You find it difficult to trust other people or let your guard down - you just want to feel safe again.

You no longer have to walk this path alone.

As your guide and ally, I will walk with you through a process in which we heal remnants of past experiences and transform past pain into growth, change, insight, and reconnection.

To support trauma-focused healing, I use an integrative approach utilizing EMDR, Parts Work (similar to Internal Family Systems), and AEDP.

What Does Trauma Therapy Look Like?

Based on the approach founded by Judith Herman and years of subsequent research, I take a three-phase approach to trauma treatment. However, change and healing is often not linear or straightforward. After our first session, we will create a custom treatment plan tailored to you; I will integrate tools and strategies throughout our work together to best support your healing.

1. Relief

Difficulty life experiences leave you feeling like you're on unsteady ground. Before we work on healing the past, we have to make sure that you feel steady and safe again.

We work together to really understand and navigate current concerns and circumstances and build strategies and tools that you know you can lean on in moments of overwhelm.

During this preparation phase, we also work to ease the parts of you that are uncertain about revisiting your past, and we make sure that you feel confident in our plan for how to get you feeling like yourself again.

2. Recovery

When you're ready, we begin to work through remnants of the past together - to heal unresolved emotional pain, mourn what was lost, and finally feel heard, understood, and supported in your experiences.

For some people, this can include what is called Trauma Reprocessing, which uses tools such as EMDR or Emotional Processing techniques to facilitate healing by focusing in on how trauma is stored in your body and brain. Unresolved trauma is like an unhealed wound that has been bandaged over but has never fully healed. I will guide you through reprocessing in order to heal old wounds from the inside out.

3. Reconnection

After working through some of the experiences from the past, many people describe a new sense of freedom and emotional space. Without the weight of the past, you have more room to rediscover who you are beyond trauma. You can reclaim the parts of you that were previously rejected or discarded for the sake of survival. You begin to feel more solid in yourself and your relationships and redefine what healthy boundaries and intimacy look like for you. And, for many, you can reconnect with what is important to you and begin to create a life that is in line with your values, passions, and what makes you you. Finally, you have the space to thrive.

Common Forms of Trauma Treated at Songbird Psychotherapy

Childhood Trauma + Complex Trauma

Childhood trauma, also referred to as developmental trauma, can vary widely, from physical or emotional abuse and neglect to witnessing domestic violence or experiencing a family crisis. This can also include more subtle, repeated events such as experiences with caregivers who are emotionally distant or struggle with their own mental health issues.

Distressing experiences in childhood can cause long-lasting emotional, psychological, and even physical concerns. Because of the often repeated or ongoing nature of these experiences, people can struggle in ways that are distinct from traditional PTSD. They might have more trouble more with confidence and security of self, face challenges in forming steady relationships, and feel easily overwhelmed by their emotions at times.

Trauma therapy at Songbird Psychotherapy offers a safe space for individuals to process and heal from childhood trauma, fostering resilience and promoting emotional well-being.

Single-Incident Trauma

Single-incident trauma refers to a distressing event that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, which can overwhelm a person's ability to cope effectively. This type of trauma typically involves a specific event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, physical or sexual assault, exposure to a death or accident, or sudden loss of a loved one.

Even though this form of trauma is limited to a single event, its impact can be profound and long-lasting. As a result of experiences of trauma, people might experience PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, changes in how they feel about themselves, others, or the world, and a need to isolate or avoid reminders of the event. Sometimes, an experience of trauma or sudden loss in adulthood can also bring light to difficult or unresolved experiences that have happened in the past.

Trauma therapy and EMDR provide a supportive environment for individuals to process their feelings, learn coping strategies, and regain a sense of safety and control in their lives.

Intergenerational or Family Trauma

In some families or communities, the aftermath of trauma can be carried down across generations, a concept referred to as intergenerational or generational trauma. Research has shown that experiences from generations of the past can affect the emotional wellbeing of descendants up to three generations later.

Generational trauma can be generated from experiences of war, genocide, colonization, or systemic oppression as well as family experiences of maltreatment such as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect. Recipients of generational trauma can sometimes experiences challenges in relationships both within or outside of the family, impacts to their view of self, or a sense of disconnection from one's cultural identity or community.

Generational trauma is not fixed; patterns can be shifted and cycles interrupted. Individual therapy offers a space to explore the intergenerational impact of trauma, heal from inherited wounds, and create new ways of responding to trauma for yourself and further generations.

Relational Trauma

Unhealthy or harmful experiences in relationships - with caregivers, romantic partners, peers, or others - can cause emotional wounds and distress with lasting impacts. Relational trauma can range from experiences of perceived betrayal or abandonment to experiences of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or assault. Relational trauma can also look like repeated or persistent experiences of bullying, criticism, humiliation, discrimination, or rejection.

Relational trauma can profoundly affect an individual's sense of self-worth, trust in others, and ability to form healthy relationships. It may lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or difficulties setting boundaries or maintaining emotional intimacy.

Therapy provides a supportive environment for Individuals and couples to explore their relational patterns, process past hurts, strengthen healthy communication, and cultivate fulfilling connections based on trust, respect, and mutual support.