Denver Trauma Therapy
When you have experienced deeply painful, overwhelming or frightening experiences, you might feel like you will never be the same again. Trauma therapy can help you find healing and grow toward a happier, healthier version of yourself. You can rediscover your wholeness and strength. Connect with us today to get started.
The roller coaster of life isn't always rainbows and flowers; it comes with its highs and lows, twists and turns, and occasionally hurtles us into traumatic experiences. Traumatic events can shatter our sense of safety and well-being, and leave us feeling stuck and lost. Navigating the aftermath of such events alone can be a daunting journey, which is why seeking help from the best trauma therapists in Denver can make all the difference.
Understanding trauma
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply shocking, threatening, or traumatic event, an event where we are unsafe or the safety of those we love is threatened. It is normal to feel afraid during and after a traumatic event. When these feelings don’t fade, it can significantly impede an individual's ability to function and becomes what we call, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Commons signs and symptoms of a trauma response include, but are not limited to:
Nightmares
Difficulty sleeping
Intrusive thoughts
Hypervigilance
Increased startle response
Increased heart rate
Difficulty breathing
Panic attacks
The effects of unresolved trauma and PTSD extend beyond these symptoms to impact many aspects of daily life. If left untreated, PTSD and unresolved trauma often impacts relationships, self-esteem, and the ability to find joy in life.
It is also important to note that those who experience trauma have widely varying experiences. Trauma symptoms can be from a single traumatic event, like car accidents or assault, or from prolonged, traumatic experiences like war or years of adverse childhood experiences (e.g., childhood abuse, emotional abuse). Not everyone who experiences traumatic events develops mental health disorders, like PTSD. Some folks who experience trauma develop feelings of anxiety or depression. Those who do meet criteria for mental health disorders or PTSD have a wide range of treatment options from medications to therapeutic modalities such as Eye Moment Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
Past trauma can also be related to other mental health issues such as substance use. Use of alcohol and drugs often can be a way for folks to numb or reduce trauma symptoms. Trauma therapy can help folks to find new coping strategies to cope with past trauma and improve relationships. New coping skills can help you to move forward, beyond the experienced trauma. Relationships improve, symptoms such as disturbing memories and negative beliefs about yourself and the world become more manageable. Daily functioning comes with more ease as new clients learn skills to navigate the effects of trauma and PTSD.
About Rooted Acorn Counseling
Rooted Acorn Counseling is a Queer-founded and led therapy private practice. Our therapists are skilled trauma therapists who understand the profound impact of trauma and PTSD on our Queer community.
Trauma can turn your world upside down and leave you isolated and alone. A traumatic experience can deeply impact your life. Survivors of homo-negativity, gender based violence, religious trauma, childhood abuse, sexual assault, family members of folks directly impacted by trauma, or folks who work in dangerous work environments may develop PTSD. Whatever trauma experience you have been through, we are here for you. At Rooted Acorn Counseling we help you to find healing.
At Rooted Acorn Counseling we believe in the power of healthy roots to nourish and sustain us in this world. Sometimes life uproots your sense of safety and you are left with the unexpected task of finding healing. You may feel like you no longer belong, even among the queer community. At Rooted Acorn Counseling we work with you to create a supportive environment and a safe space for healing. We understand the immense value of having a supportive queer community that truly comprehends your unique mental health needs, especially in today's world. We also understand that even if we are not focusing on gender and sexuality in therapy, oftentimes there is ease in just knowing there is already a level of understanding with your queer therapist.
Our roots provide vital nutrients, and they connect us to each other and foster a sense of belonging. We all need someone to lean on in challenging times. Our therapists are passionate about helping LGBTQ+ folks impacted by trauma and PTSD make lasting life changes as well as heal and grow.
At Rooted Acorn Counseling, our mission is to nourish our community with acceptance, compassion, warmth, trust, and a deep sense of belonging. You deserve unwavering support and acceptance. You deserve the expertise of qualified and professional therapists who will be there for you when you need them most.
Meet our top-rated trauma counselors in Denver
Our Denver-based therapists are not just top-rated trauma counselors; they are advocates and nurturing supports, ready to walk alongside you on your path towards healing.
Sharon F. Hester, MS, LPC
she/her/hers
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Addictions Counselor
LPC.0012616; ACD.000237
Teletherapy and in-person
Providing therapy since 2010
Sharon is a licensed mental health and addiction therapist proudly offering Queer-affirming therapy in Denver, CO and through-out Colorado. Sharon specializes in trauma recovery for adolescents and adults, integrating a trauma informed approach and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to help clients reclaim their lives, find their wholeness, reclaim their power and move beyond suffering. Sharon offers online and in-person counseling services for folks impacted by trauma and PTSD in Denver and through Colorado. .
Lindsay Cade, MA, LPC
she/her/hers
Licensed Professional Counselor, Advance Trained Emotionally Focused Couples Therapists
LPC.0013446
Teletherapy
Providing therapy since 2014
Lindsay uses EMDR and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to guide individuals and couples toward profound healing and connection. Lindsay has extensive experience in trauma work and offers online counseling in Denver and throughout Colorado.
Why choose Rooted Acorn Counseling for trauma therapy in Denver
Denver, as a vibrant city, offers a range of mental health services and professionals specializing in trauma therapy, including PTSD therapists. Most clients can be overwhelmed by the search for a therapist. Here are key factors that make us the best trauma therapists in Denver.
We are a welcoming space for LGBTQ individuals and couples seeking out trauma counseling and relationship therapy in Denver, CO. At Rooted Acorn Counseling we understand the first step in trauma therapy is that folks feel safe to share and to be fully seen.
We are a proudly queer-led therapy practice. We offer our services to LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, as well as to their loved ones. We acknowledge the unique struggles and feelings that come with navigating discrimination and societal pressures related to sexual identity and gender identity. Our team of experienced clinicians have a passion for supporting queer mental health by providing a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their personal journeys, heal trauma, and build self-esteem.
We have the experience and skills to treat PTSD. We bring over 20+ years of combined experience to our practice and are committed each year to continuing our education and training to sharpen and expand our trauma-informed care skills.
Whether you want individual therapy support for navigating those issues specific to being LGBTQ, trauma healing, anxiety, or dealing with stresses at school, we can help. If you are wanting support with your own relationship issues, to repair and reconnect with your partner, our couples counselor has advanced training and skills to support you and your queer relationship. We believe that counseling can be a powerful tool in promoting self-acceptance and empowering individuals to live authentically. If you are looking for a LGBTQ-affirming counseling experience, we are here to help.
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Trauma can take many forms. We know that the integration of therapeutic techniques that address the cognitive, emotional, and physical signs and symptoms of trauma are most beneficial. Treatment must be dynamic, incorporating a person's whole experience in order to address the wide-ranging impacts trauma has on a person. Some people develop symptoms of chronic pain or other medical conditions which is why a multi-module approach treating trauma that includes both medical care and mental health care is crucial. At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we have extensive training and experience coordinating and working with interdisciplinary teams to support our clients needs.
Treatment length varies based on a person's experience as well. For those who experience a one time trauma without much history of trauma symptoms prior, treatment can be short-term and straight forward. For those who's experience was prolonged exposure to unsafe events, over and over again, like war survivors or survivors of childhood trauma, treatment is often much longer in duration. We call this type of trauma, Complex Trauma.
The duration of symptoms, meaning the length of time symptoms have been present, is also a factor that prolongs treatment. If it has been a few decades that you have had symptoms of PTSD, then your treatment is going to be a bit slower and longer. It takes time to rebuild neuropathways and build trust with your therapist. It takes time for you to regain trust in yourself. This is normal and our trauma therapists know how to help you with this process that goes beyond learning coping skills.
Our team of highly trained therapists utilize a wide range of effective trauma treatment modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Lindsay Cade specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFCT and EFIT) which has been shown to be an effective treatment to decrease relationship distress as well as individual symptoms of PTSD. Lindsay also utilizes Internal Family Systems (IFS), a modality that has been found to decrease symptoms of depression and trauma. each of these modalities and specialize in other effective trauma treatments. Sharon Hester specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and utilizes helpful treatment tools such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), which is an effective treatment tool that helps folks to clarify their values and work through difficult life situations. MI has also been found to motivate change in the lives of survivors of adverse childhood experiences and trauma.
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A generally trained therapist is someone who can listen, help you work through your emotions, and develop coping mechanisms to deal with life's challenges. However, a trauma therapist specializes in treating individuals dealing with PTSD or complex PTSD, which is a condition that results from prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences. Trauma therapists have undergone specific training and have specialized techniques to help their clients best process and cope with their experiences. Whether you are seeking general therapy or specialized PTSD treatment, the important thing is finding the specialized help that you need to move forward in a healthy way.
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According to the National Center for PTSD, PTSD treatments "really do work and can lead to a better quality of life."
Success rates can vary based on individual factors, the severity of the trauma, or prolonged length of symptoms. However, accessing quality care from a proficient trauma therapist increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. We cannot guarantee that talk therapy will work for all people and often times things may start to feel worse before they feel better.
There is not a one size fits all timeline for PTSD and trauma treatment because there is not a one size fits all kind of person. We are all unique and experience the world in unique ways. At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we have the training and expertise to help you heal from trauma and value working with you to find an appropriate plan for treatment.
FAQs about trauma counseling
Our Denver trauma therapists can help you find relief from the past and hope for the future.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with trauma and anxiety, remember that you do not have to face it alone. Help is available, and healing is possible. Our Denver-based therapists are here to help you as you take the courageous step to reclaim your peace and lead a fulfilling life. Reach out today to explore how these skilled trauma therapists in Denver can support you!