How to know if you're ready for Trauma Therapy in Denver, CO

Some helpful tips from a trauma therapist in Denver, Colorado

Deciding to take the step to address past trauma in therapy is a big deal. If you’re reading this in that place, I’m genuinely excited for you to dive in and find healing. But that also brings me to the next piece that’s important to recognize… trauma therapy in Denver, CO can be really hard! It’s also incredibly rewarding, healing, and life-changing, but it is difficult, too. If you’re feeling a little hesitation about whether you’re ready to do trauma work, that makes a lot of sense and is very normal. Let’s talk about a few things to consider that will help you determine if you’re ready. 

Do you have the right trauma therapist in Denver, CO?

It’s simple, but so important! Not all therapists are trauma specialists. And not all trauma therapists who are specialists are going to be the right fit for you. It’s essential to work with someone you can trust with your story. If you have a therapist you love but aren’t sure if they do trauma work, ask! Your therapist can talk through this with you to help you determine the best plan. 

If you don’t have a therapist yet…

There are a few things that can help you find a good one. I would generally recommend someone who notes on their website, therapy directory profiles, or social media that they do trauma work. It’s not necessary (like if you already have someone you know and trust), but if you’re starting from scratch, you might as well. You could also look for someone who offers a specific type of therapy for trauma, such as EMDR therapy or somatic trauma therapy.

Do your research on trauma therapy

Another way to do a little research on a potential trauma therapist is to see if they talk about their values or approach on their website or other profile pages. This can give you great insight into how they approach to therapy and what matters to them. A therapist’s About Me page can also help you learn a little more about their human self, not just their therapist self! Learn more tips on finding your best therapist here. 

Scheduling the initial trauma counseling appointment

When you do schedule an appointment, that still doesn’t mean your decision is set in stone. Take the first session (or two or three!) to get to know your therapist, feel how you get along and work together, and then make your decision if you want to move forward into deeper work. Sharing the traumatic parts of your story with another person is incredibly vulnerable, even if it’s that person’s job, and you deserve to do that work with someone you trust to respect all parts of you.

What supports and skills are part of your routine?

Support for your nervous system outside of therapy is so important when doing trauma work. The reality is that trauma therapy can reopen old wounds, and that is painful. You may feel worse in the beginning because you’re being reminded of what happened, and you’re facing it, maybe for the first time. So you need supportive habits, people, spaces, and habits along for the ride with you.

If this area of your experience feels like it’s lacking - or you’re having a hard time answering this question right now - that’s okay! There’s no expectation to walk into trauma therapy with everything all figured out. Quite the opposite your trained trauma therapist Denver, co can help with that!

Trauma therapy in Denver, CO can be a resource for building support in your life and daily routine. Some of the things you might explore are grounding and breathing exercises, reliable people you can talk to for support (and how you want to connect with them), gaining awareness of what your body needs in different situations, joyful and releasing forms of movement, and ways to help your body process emotions.

Who are the people in your corner, and how easy is it for you to reach out for support from them?

I mentioned supportive people when talking about coping skills, but I think positive supports deserve their category! You need support outside of your therapist when doing trauma work. Your support people could be family, friends, a partner, a pet, a support group, a faith community, a book club, or really anyone! What matters is that they are trustworthy, understanding, and dependable. 

If you don’t have any of those kinds of people in your life right now, it can be easy to feel discouraged. But honestly, that is another great area to talk to a therapist about! Making connections as an adult is hard, and learning more about how to do that and where to find them can be part of therapy. 

Are you dealing with any major or stressful events in life right now?

If you’re going through a major life event, it might not be the right time to start the processing stages of trauma therapy. These could be stressful events such as job loss, a breakup or divorce, financial difficulties, dealing with a new medical concern, grieving, and others. But it’s also important to consider good and exciting major events, such as getting married, having a child, moving, starting a new job, or starting a business. 

Life changes create stress regardless…

Almost all major life events and transitions are going to cause some stress, even if they’re good things. And certainly, life events that feel very stressful to you are a sign that you may want to wait on beginning trauma work and instead focus on the day-to-day stressors in therapy. That extra stress can make trauma therapy in Colorado feel incredibly draining and overwhelming, making it more likely that you won’t be able to see it through. 

If you have some life transitions happening, but they don’t necessarily feel “major,” it could be good to talk through these with your potential trauma therapist. They will be able to help you process whether you would be better served focusing on the trauma work or addressing the issues life is throwing at you in the present moment. 

If you’re feeling ready to take the next step to find a trauma therapist in Denver, CO

I wish you the very best as you work through past trauma and find who you want to be on the other side. 

If you’re ready to begin trauma therapy in Denver CO, all of the trauma therapists at CZ Therapy Group specialize in trauma and can help you take those next steps.

Learn more about the trauma therapy we provide, or reach out to connect with a trauma therapist on our team for a free consultation!

Get Started with a Trauma Therapist Denver, CO

1. Reach out to schedule a free 20-minute consult call.

2. Connect with the CZTG therapist of your choice via a phone consult.

3. Embark on your journey of exploration, healing, and transformation.

Other CZTG Offerings

ANXIETY THERAPY COUPLES THERAPY EMDR FOR TRAUMA TEEN THERAPY LGBTQ+ THERAPY

Seeking support from a trauma therapist in Denver, CO? Reach out to connect with a therapist at CZ Therapy Group today.