Eating Disorder Therapy in Denver: Trauma-Informed Recovery
If you’re thinking of starting therapy for an eating disorder, whether for yourself or someone you love, knowing where to begin and what to expect can be incredibly overwhelming. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Therapist with specialties in eating disorders and trauma, I understand how personal and often times scary these experiences can be. In this blog post, we’ll walk through what to expect in trauma-informed eating disorder therapy. I believe lasting recovery is possible, and reaching out is a big first step.
Why a Trauma-Informed Approach Matters
Many eating disorders are rooted in past traumas. Whether the root may be attachment wounds, chronic stress, emotional neglect, or abuse, these experiences can leave a lasting imprint on the nervous system and contribute to disconnection from the body, difficulty with emotional regulation, and a need for control.
A trauma-informed approach to eating disorder therapy recognizes that the behaviors around food, body image, and exercise often serve a deeper purpose. Rather than pathologizing these behaviors, we become curious about them. We ask:
When did these parts develop?
What stories or beliefs about you food and your body are you carrying?
What has this behavior been trying to protect you from?
When we explore these kinds of questions with compassion, we begin to understand the eating disorder in a deeper way.
It is also important to see a therapist who specializes in working with eating disorders. Curious as to why? Check out this blog post here.
What to Expect in Eating Disorder Therapy in Denver
If you decide to begin therapy with me, here’s what you can generally expect during our work together:
1. Safety and Trust Come First
Our initial sessions are focused on creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and not judged. You deserve care that honors your whole story.
2. Understanding Your Unique Story
We’ll explore your relationship with food, body image, emotions, and past experiences—at your pace. We won’t jump into changing behaviors before understanding what role they’ve been trying to play.
3. Integrating Trauma-Informed Modalities
Depending on your needs, I may incorporate approaches like:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Therapy – to explore the parts of you that hold pain, fear, or perfectionism, and to reconnect with your core Self.
Somatic Work – to gently help you reconnect with your body and listen to its cues without fear or judgment.
Attachment-Focused Therapy – to address early attachment wounds and build a secure internal foundation.
Narrative Therapy – to explore narratives you’ve received about food and your body, and discover ways to make space for new narratives.
EMDR – to reprocess past experiences and core beliefs connected to trauma, food, and body image.
Family Counseling – Family work can be so pivotal for many in recovery. I also offer parent and partner coaching for those who have loved ones struggling with eating disorders.
4. Collaborative and Empowering Care
My role is to walk beside you, help you understand your patterns, in being mindful of your capacity for self-trust, regulation, and recovery. My goal is for therapy to be a collaborative process, meeting you where you are.
5. Pacing Recovery with Compassion
Recovery is not linear. Some days will feel easier than others. Together, we’ll celebrate small victories, gently meet setbacks, and keep returning to the belief that healing is possible, even if it looks different than you imagined at times.
If You’re Looking for an Eating Disorder Therapist in Denver…
Whether you're newly exploring recovery or returning to it, you deserve support that honors your whole self. If you’re in the Denver area and looking for an eating disorder therapist who will walk with you at your own pace, with warmth and trauma-informed care, please reach out today. I’d be honored to walk the path of recovery with you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist in Denver
Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma therapist 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.
My background includes working with organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association, Project HEAL, and the One Love Foundation. I’ve also worked in eating disorder treatment centers and am actively involved with the Eating Disorder Foundation and IAEDP’s Denver chapter. Currently, I’m on the path to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).
With specialized 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.