Holistic therapy for trauma survivors in Colorado
Terapia holistica para los sobrevivientes de trauma en Colorado
Relational | Culturally Sensitive | Trauma informed | Decolonial Therapy
The internal experience of trauma
In your body
You might feel tense, on edge, or exhausted without knowing why. Perhaps your muscles stay tight, your jaw clenches, or your shoulders feel like they’re carrying an invisible weight. Maybe you experience headaches, stomach issues, or body aches that seem tied to stress but have no clear medical explanation. Trauma is stored in the body, your nervous system will speak to you and you may be noticing it feels difficult to lean into rest. Sleep might feel restless, or you wake up already feeling drained. Even in moments of stillness, your body may feel like it’s bracing for something, as if safety is out of reach or inaccesible. Over time, this constant tension can lead to chronic pain, fatigue, or a sense of being disconnected from your own body. Often people share that it can feel like your body is working against you instead of for you.
In your mind
You might notice that it’s hard to make sense of all the feelings and thoughts that keep swirling around in your mind. It can feel like they're on a loop, repeating over and over, without any relief. Sometimes, a flashback or a certain experience can pull you right back to those painful moments, making everything feel as raw and real as when it first happened. You might feel stuck, unable to escape or move past those emotions, as if you're trapped in the past. In those moments, it can feel incredibly isolating, like no one else truly understands what you're going through. You may even question if things will ever shift or if you'll ever feel different. But despite how overwhelming it feels, you don't have to stay in that space alone. There is a way forward, and healing is possible, even if it feels distant right now. You don’t have to navigate this journey by yourself.
In your relationships
It may feel difficult to be or stay connected & safe with others, even with the people you love. Maybe intimacy feels overwhelming, or you catch yourself pulling away when things start to feel too close. Or perhaps you do the opposite you overextend and over give yourself, always trying to keep the peace, putting others’ needs before your own just to avoid conflict or rejection. You might notice patterns in your relationships that leave you feeling unseen, unheard, or emotionally drained, but breaking free from them feels just as scary as staying in them. Trauma has a way of shaping how you relate to others, often rooted in a deep need to protect yourself from hurt. These are what we call survival and protective strategies ways in which your body has learned to keep yourself safe.
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Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) develops from prolonged, repeated exposure to harmful experiences, often in childhood and within close relationships where there may have been a lack or limited sense of safety. Unlike a single traumatic event, complex trauma occurs over time, shaping how you see yourself, others, and the world.
Because this type of trauma often happens in relationships such as in childhood, within family dynamics, or in emotionally, physically, sexually abusive partnerships it can deeply impact your sense of self-worth, emotional regulation, and relationships.
Understanding & holding space for your trauma
The trauma I often work with
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Relational trauma happens when the people who were supposed to offer safety, love, and support instead caused harm whether through emotional neglect, betrayal, manipulation, or repeated invalidation. This type of trauma often develops in childhood within family dynamics or later in close relationships, shaping the way you experience connection, intimacy, and trust.
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Trauma doesn’t begin or end with one person it can be passed down through generations, living in the stories, beliefs, and survival strategies inherited from those who came before us.
Intergenerational Trauma happens when unresolved pain, fear, or loss from past generations gets passed down through parenting, behaviors, or even the nervous system. You might notice patterns of emotional suppression, scarcity, or fear of authority that feel bigger than just your own experiences.
Ancestral Trauma is the collective pain carried from historical oppression, displacement, colonization, war, or forced migration. Even if you didn’t directly experience these events, their impact may show up in your body, relationships, and sense of belonging.
Relationships can be powerful mirrors, reflecting both our deepest wounds and our capacity for healing. In our work together, we may pause to process traumatic experiences that arise, recognizing how past wounds shape present dynamics. As a process-oriented therapist, I hold space for the emotions, patterns, and stories that surface, allowing healing to unfold at a pace that feels safe. Rather than rushing toward solutions, we focus on deepening understanding, fostering connection, and creating new relational experiences that honor both partners’ nervous systems and lived experiences.
Couples Trauma Therapy
Frequently asked questions
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Trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy that helps individuals process and heal from past traumatic experiences. It focuses on reducing distress, improving coping skills, and fostering a sense of safety and stability.
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PTSD typically results from a single traumatic event, while complex trauma stems from repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing situations (e.g., childhood abuse, neglect, or systemic oppression).
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No, trauma therapy does not require you to share details about the traumatic experience. I offer emdr and brainspotting in hopes that there is less need for verbal recounting. Although if verbal processing feels necessary we can set up your sessions to ensure they feel supportive to your needs.
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Dissociating can be a protective strategy that feels safe for your body. Before we begin EMDR we complete a assessment to learn about how often your body may naturally lean towards dissociating. Once we have an idea I will ensure we build strategies to keep you present and support you in feeling grounded.
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Yes! all the modalities I use can be used in an online format.
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Yes! I offer multiple options and packages to identify a trauma modality that works for you. Trauma intensives can range between 1 - 3 days and we can discuss details if you are interested during our consult. Here is the link to see if there’s a path that calls to you.