Complex trauma can shape how you experience relationships, your sense of safety, and the way you relate to yourself. If you are searching for an EMDR therapist in Denver for complex trauma, you may have experienced the impact of repeated, relational trauma for a long time.

Complex trauma often develops over time, particularly within family systems or environments where safety felt inconsistent. The effects can show up as chronic anxiety, emotional dysregulation, dissociation, people-pleasing, perfectionism, shame, or difficulty trusting others.

These patterns are adaptive survival strategies that tend to develop to protect us from further harm. While they may feel rigid or exhausting now, they might’ve once served an important purpose. With specialized support, these responses can begin to shift and soften over time.

One evidence-based approach commonly used in complex trauma treatment is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

*Please note this blog is intended for educational purposes, and is not a replacement for therapy.

YOU DESERVE SPACE TO HEAL

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a structured, research-supported approach designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories that feel “stuck.” When trauma is ongoing or developmental in nature, memories are often stored in a way that remains emotionally and physiologically activated.

Through bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping), EMDR supports the nervous system in integrating these memories so they no longer carry the same intensity or distress.

For many individuals seeking trauma therapy in Denver, EMDR can help:

Reduce emotional reactivity to past experiences
Shift negative core beliefs
Increase nervous system regulation
Decrease shame and self-criticism
Improve relational patterns

Rather than erasing the past, EMDR helps the past take up less space in your present day life.

EMDR for Complex PTSD

Complex trauma treatment requires thoughtful pacing and stabilization. In my therapy practice in Colorado, EMDR for complex PTSD includes:

Stabilization and Resourcing

We begin by building grounding tools and strengthening internal resources to support nervous system regulation.

Targeting Foundational Memories

Instead of focusing only on recent triggers, we work with earlier experiences that shaped attachment wounds and core beliefs.

Reprocessing and Integration

As distressing material is processed, adaptive beliefs begin to emerge naturally, often shifting from “I am not safe” to “I am safe now,” or from “I am too much” to “I am enough.”

Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) into EMDR for Trauma

For individuals healing from complex trauma, I often integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) into EMDR. IFS helps us understand the protective parts of you that developed in response to trauma—the high achiever, the caretaker, the avoidant part, the self-critical voice. These parts are not problems to eliminate; they are strategies that once tried to help you survive.

When IFS is integrated into EMDR in my Denver practice:

Protective parts are approached with compassion and understanding for the roles they felt they’ve needed to hold to keep you safe
Trauma processing happens at a pace that feels safe
Attachment wounds are addressed with greater compassion
The nervous system is supported before, during, and after reprocessing

This integrated approach can be especially effective for individuals seeking complex trauma therapy in Denver who want both depth and safety in the healing process.

Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?

You might benefit from EMDR therapy if you experience:

Persistent negative self-beliefs
Emotional overwhelm or shutdown
Frequent trauma triggers and flashbacks
Relationship patterns that feel repetitive or confusing
A sense that traditional talk therapy hasn’t fully resolved the root issue

EMDR and IFS Therapy for Complex Trauma in Denver

If you are looking for EMDR therapy in Colorado and are interested in an approach that integrates EMDR with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, I offer specialized care designed for complex trauma and relational wounds.

Together, we can work to gently process past experiences, reduce the intensity of trauma responses, and help protective patterns relax, so that you can feel more grounded, connected, and aligned in your daily life.

If you’re ready to begin trauma therapy, I invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation to explore if EMDR and IFS integrated therapy is the right fit for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Trauma & Eating Disorder Therapist in Denver

Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma and eating disorder therapist and clinical supervisor passionate about helping people heal and reconnect with themselves. My work focuses on exploring how early experiences, relationships, and protective parts of the self shape our inner narratives. Through a compassionate and individualized approach, I help clients challenge limiting beliefs and step into a more authentic, intuitive way of living.

Prior to private practice, I worked at nonprofit organizations and eating disorder treatment centers. I'm also a proud Denver chapter member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), a clinical supervisor for pre-licensed therapists, and am on my way to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).

With training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and eating disorder treatment, I provide a safe, supportive space for those navigating recovery, trauma, and self-discovery.

Looking for support on your healing journey? Book a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

EMDR Therapy for Complex Trauma in Denver