7 of the Best Denver Trauma-Informed Therapists
Takeaway: Trauma doesn't just live in the past—it shows up in your relationships, your body, your sex life, and how you move through the world. The good news is that therapy can help, but finding the right therapist is key. Here, I’ll tell you a bit more about my approach to trauma work and highlight some other Denver trauma therapists I recommend so you can find someone who actually gets you and what you need.
Meet the therapists
1. Chelsea Newton
Recommended for sexual trauma therapy
I'm the founder of Phases of the Mind Therapy, and I specialize in sex therapy for LGBTQ+ folks. Therapy with me is a place where nothing is off-limits—seriously, nothing. I will not judge you for what you've experienced or what you're struggling with—it’s literally my job (and my passion) to hear what’s on your mind and be a safe space for you.
Plus, as a queer woman myself, I get it on a personal level. You won't have to explain what it's like to be queer because I share that lived experience. We'll work through the trauma that's keeping you stuck, help you heal your relationship with sex and your body, and create a space where you can finally show up as yourself.
If you've been carrying something you've never told anyone—not your partner, not your best friend, not even your journal—this is the place to start.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults, especially the LGBTQ+ community
Location: Littleton, CO 80123
Virtual therapy?: Yes
2. Liz Downey
Recommended for EMDR trauma counseling
Liz is an experienced trauma therapist who helps adults heal using Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This innovative approach taps into your brain’s natural ability to heal by using bilateral stimulation—typically through eye movements or by using handheld buzzers. If you’re interested in EMDR therapy, Liz’s practice, Alpine Growth & Wellness, could be a good fit.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults
Location: Broomfield, CO 80031
Virtual therapy?: Yes
3. Erica Salazar
Recommended for brainspotting trauma treatment
Erica uses brainspotting, a cutting-edge approach that helps you bypass the “thinking” brain (super helpful if you’re an overthinker or can talk about your problems without feeling them) and get to the deeper emotional wounds you have inside. I recommend Erica’s practice, Salazar Therapy and Consulting, if you’re interested in brainspotting or specialized therapy for the Latinx community.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Adults, couples, ethically non-monogamous relationship structures
Location: Denver, CO 80206
Virtual therapy?: Yes
4. Nichole Sapp
Recommended for trauma therapy for adolescents
Nichole uses methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help children, teens, and adults heal. She’s especially versed in supporting young people navigate peer and family relationships, learn coping skills, and deal with the pressures of growing up in the (dumpster fire of a 😅) world we live in. I recommend her practice if you’re looking for trauma counseling for adolescents.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Clientele: Pre-teens, teens, adults
Location: Denver, CO 80211
Virtual therapy?: Yes
5. Melissa Hannan
Recommended for Mormon-specific religious trauma therapy
As someone who was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and left after her own faith crisis, Melissa is my go-to recommendation for Mormon-specific religious trauma counseling. Her practice, Trust Your Inner Compass, specializes in post-Mormon therapy, so she could be a great fit if you’re looking to process this type of trauma specifically.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clientele: Adults
Location: Littleton, CO 80122
Virtual therapy?: Yes
6. Alli Christie Disney
Recommended for mind-body trauma therapy
Alli takes an integrative approach to trauma treatment, blending methods like EMDR, internal family systems (IFS), and somatic experiencing (SE) to break through the self-analysis spiral and get to the deeper work. I highly recommend her practice, Alli Christie Counseling, if that type of approach speaks to you. She also offers EMDR intensives, which could be a great option if you’re looking for accelerated healing.
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
Clientele: Teens, adults
Location: Lone Tree, CO 80124
Virtual therapy?: Yes
7. Nikki Blakesley
Recommended for PTSD therapy for the neurodivergent community
You deserve trauma therapy that doesn’t require you to mask or fit your brain into a box that it’s just not made for. Dr. Nikki’s practice, Artfully You Therapy, specializes in neurodivergent-affirming therapy (among other things), making her a great fit for those looking for a trauma therapist with a deep understanding of ADHD and Highly Sensitive People (HSP).
Offers trauma therapy ✅
Credentials: Licensed Psychologist
Clientele: Adults
Location: Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Virtual therapy?: Yes
What to expect from the therapy process
Initial consultation
We'll start with a free vibe check to see if we're a good fit. This is your chance to ask questions, share what's going on, and get a feel for how I work. There's zero pressure—this is about making sure you feel comfortable and ready to do this work together. If you want to move forward, we’ll book your first full session.
Getting to know your story
In our early sessions, we'll explore what brought you to therapy and what you've experienced. I'll ask questions to understand how trauma is showing up in your life right now. And don’t worry: you don’t have to relive every detail. It’s just about understanding what you need and creating a plan that actually works for you.
Building trust & Doing the Work™
Healing from trauma takes time, and that's okay. We'll work at your pace to process what happened, develop coping strategies, and address the ways trauma is impacting your relationships, sex life, and sense of self. You'll have a safe space to explore the hard stuff without judgment.
Growth and moving forward
As we work together, you'll notice shifts—maybe you feel more present in your body, more confident in relationships, or less triggered by things that used to send you spiraling. Therapy isn’t going to “fix” you (you’re not broken!), but it will help you reclaim your life and build the future you actually want instead of being controlled by the past.
Common symptoms of trauma & PTSD
Avoiding intimacy or physical touch because it feels overwhelming or unsafe
Getting triggered during sex or dating—your body shuts down even when you want to be present
Struggling to trust people, even when they haven't done anything wrong
Feeling disconnected from your body, like you're just going through the motions
Nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts about what happened
Being constantly on edge, scanning for danger even when you're safe
Carrying shame about what happened to you or how your body responded
Pushing people away when they get too close because vulnerability feels terrifying
Feeling numb or emotionally flat, like nothing really matters anymore
Struggling with anxiety, depression, or feeling like you're barely holding it together
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Using substances, food, work, or other behaviors to avoid dealing with your feelings
Feeling like you're "broken" or that you'll never be able to have normal relationships
How trauma counseling can help
Process past experiences without judgment
Trauma therapy gives you a supportive space to work through what happened at your own pace. You don't have to have all the answers or "get over it" on anyone's timeline. We'll explore your experiences together, and I'll help you make sense of how trauma has impacted you.
Heal your relationship with sex & intimacy
Sexual trauma can make sex feel scary, triggering, or just...off. In therapy, we'll work on helping you feel safe in your body again, set boundaries that work for you, and reconnect with pleasure and intimacy on your terms. No pressure, no rush.
Rebuild trust in yourself & others
Trauma can shatter your ability to trust—both yourself and other people. We'll work on rebuilding that trust slowly, learning to listen to your intuition again, and figuring out who deserves a place in your life. You'll learn to trust that you can handle whatever comes your way.
Develop real coping strategies that work
I'm not interested in generic "self-care" advice that doesn't actually help you or feel relevant to you. We'll figure out what works for you—whether that's grounding techniques, communication skills, or ways to manage triggers when they come up. You'll leave with tools you can actually use in real life.
FAQs about PTSD therapy
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The best trauma therapist is someone who's trained in trauma-informed care and who you actually trust. You need someone who gets it, who won't push you before you're ready, and who creates a space where you feel safe enough to be honest about what you're dealing with.
Credentials matter (to a point), so make sure your prospective therapist has experience working with trauma, but also make sure you vibe on a human level so you’ll feel comfortable opening up.
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Most therapists have a basic understanding of what trauma is and how it affects people, but trauma therapists specialize in this area and often have specific training and experience helping people with PTSD. The main difference is the depth of knowledge and the level of expertise.
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Yes, trauma therapy is typically covered by insurance. I'm an out-of-network provider, which means I don't take insurance directly. However, many insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, so you may be able to get reimbursed for sessions. I also offer a sliding scale for folks who need financial support to make therapy accessible.
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If you're reading this and nodding along, that's a good sign. Here's who I work best with:
LGBTQ+ folks and baby queers who need a therapist who actually gets it
People with sexual trauma who want to heal their relationship with sex and intimacy
Anyone dealing with religious trauma or family/cultural shame around sexuality
Folks who are done with therapists who don't understand queer experiences
People who want a therapist who keeps it real and won't judge them
The best way to know if we're a fit is by booking a free vibe check. We'll talk, you'll get a feel for how I work, and we can figure out together if this is the right move for you.
