How To Find The Best Trauma Therapist in Denver

Are you looking for a good trauma therapist in Denver to help you work through something difficult in your life?

It can feel a little overwhelming knowing where to begin and how to find a potential therapist.

In this article we’ll explore some important things to help you find the best trauma therapist in Denver. We’ll cover topics including:

• Finding a trauma therapist that you like
• How to find a trauma therapist in Denver
• Researching trauma treatment options
• How to pay for trauma therapy

Find A Trauma Therapist in Denver That Makes You Feel Comfortable

The most important part of good therapy is finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with!

You’re going to be working closely with this person and sharing personal things about yourself. You want to make sure this is someone you feel comfortable sharing these things.

You want to be able to trust your therapist. Make sure that you discuss things like confidentiality so you can get a sense of how they will handle personal things that you share with them.

It’s important that you feel safe with your therapist. Some of this may simply be personality differences between you and your therapist. Perhaps you will feel more comfortable working with either a male or female therapist. To learn more you can read this article I wrote about why feeling safe is important for trauma therapy.

When you’re talking with a potential therapist on the phone or in person, try to pay attention to how you feel while you’re talking with them. Do you feel comfortable, safe, or that you can trust them?

If you feel uncomfortable sitting with your therapist it’s going to be difficult to get the most out of your therapy.

Look For A Therapist In Denver That Specializes in Trauma Therapy

Every therapist is going to be unique. We all have different training, experience, and certifications.

If you want to work through trauma, you should find a therapist in Denver that specializes in trauma or PTSD therapy.

Most therapists can help you improve your mental health. If you’re experiencing a specific problem such as PTSD or trauma you may get better results working with someone that specializes in that type of therapy.

One way to begin finding a therapist that specializes in trauma therapy is using an online directory such as Psychology Today. This will allow you to find a therapist in Denver and see what types of specialties they offer.

You can “interview” potential therapists by giving them a call to ask some questions or meet with them in person for an initial appointment.

Some initial questions that you can ask include:

• Do you specialize in trauma or PTSD treatment?
• Do you have specific training or certifications in trauma therapy?
• What type of experience do you have treating trauma?
• How long have you been specializing in PTSD therapy?
• Do you have different options for trauma therapy? (individual therapy, group therapy, etc.)

To learn more check out this article on how to find the right therapist.

Ask For Recommendations for a Good Trauma Therapist in Denver

When you begin looking for the right trauma therapist in Denver you can start by asking people that you trust.

Start by asking family members or friends. Once you start asking you might be surprised by the number of people you know who have been through their own therapy. 

A personal recommendation from a friend can save you a lot of time screening initial counselors. Searching online or through your insurance company will take some time to find the people that are a good fit for you.

Another good place to look for a recommendation is asking your primary care physician or other professionals. Your doctor will likely refer you to someone they have worked with before or someone they trust can provide you good care.

Other professionals you can ask for a referral include your chiropractor, massage therapist, psychiatrist, dietitian, and other medical or wellness professionals you may work with.

When you’re asking for a referral let them know you’re looking for someone that specializes in treating trauma because they may know several people in their network for referrals.

Ask trusted family members and friends for referrals for a therapist!

Research Different Types of Trauma Treatment in Denver 

If you take the time to do some research about trauma therapy it can save you a lot of time and stress down the road.

There are many different types of trauma treatments in Denver, and you may want to know what type of therapy or approach your therapist will use.

Some of the leading forms of trauma therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (also called CBT)
• EMDR Therapy
• Brain Spotting Therapy
• Somatic Experiencing Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Group Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy will focus on the relationship between your thoughts and your behaviors. The theory behind CBT is that your thoughts determine how you feel. By changing your thoughts you can change how you feel.

EMDR therapy is short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR therapy is a rapidly growing form of therapy that uses eye movements  to help your body, mind, and emotions process through trauma. You can learn more about EMDR therapy in Denver.

Brainspotting therapy grew out of EMDR and utilizes specific eye movements and sounds to locate activity in your brain, and is then used to help you process thoughts and emotions related to your trauma.

Somatic Experiencing therapy is a specialized type of trauma therapy that requires extended training and certification. This specific form of therapy focuses on your body and uses body sensations to help you process through trauma.

The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to help you understand how your past affects the present. This form of therapy is focused on finding the root cause of your trauma and working through those problems.

Another option is group therapy for PTSD. Group therapy can offer some benefits that individual counseling can’t. Group therapy offers you social support and the ability to learn from your peers in a safe environment.

Each type of therapy will have it’s own benefits, and it’s important that you find one that works best for you.

How To Pay For Trauma Therapy in Denver

One important question is how you will pay for therapy.

There’s a few common ways to pay for counseling.

• Pay out of pocket for a private therapist
• Use your health insurance to pay for therapy
• Find a low cost or sliding scale therapist
• Use an employee assistance program (EAP)

If you can afford to pay for a therapist out of your own pocket, you will have the most options in finding the therapist that works best for you. The cost for therapy in Denver can vary, but you can learn more by checking out this article that explores what does therapy cost in Denver?

Another option is using your health insurance to pay for your therapy. Not every therapist accepts insurance so it’s easiest to contact your insurance provider to find out what therapists are in your insurance network.

If you don’t have health insurance and you don’t have the finances to pay a full fee for therapy out of pocket, you can research low cost therapy clinics or a therapist that works with a sliding scale fee.

A sliding scale fee is typically based on your income and what your therapist charges for therapy. A low cost counseling clinic in Denver could charge anywhere between $25 -$60 per session.

If your job offers an employee assistance program they may pay for a limited number of therapy sessions. EAP’s are often offered by larger companies and corporations. Generally they may cover up to 6 counseling sessions at no cost to you. Check with your company to see if you have an EAP that covers therapy sessions.

Establishing a Good Relationship with Your Therapist

If you take some time to do your research it will pay off when you start seeing great results in your life from therapy!

It’s worth restating that one of the most important ways to get good results from counseling is establishing a good relationship with your therapist.

Finding the right trauma therapist may take a little time and work, but finding a someone that you like and who has the right skills can make all the difference.

You’re going to be investing your time, energy, and finances into this journey and you want that investment to pay off. 

If you’re looking for a therapist in Denver or have other questions about counseling you can contact our group counseling practice at (720) 507-8170.