EMDR Trauma Therapy Denver: Rewiring the Brain for Healing
As a licensed trauma therapist in Denver, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals on their healing journeys. Trauma, whether from a single distressing event or years of pain, leaves lasting effects on the brain and body. This may feel like patterns of anxiety, fear, or emotional numbness that seem impossible to break.
That’s where Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy comes in. This powerful, evidence-based approach helps rewire the brain, allowing you to process and heal from traumatic memories for lasting freedom from your trauma.
If you’ve been struggling with any type of trauma, EMDR might be the key to unlocking the relief and resilience you’ve been searching for. Let’s explore how this transformative therapy works and why EMDR trauma therapy in Denver can help you find hope.
What is EMDR?
When we experience trauma, it disrupts our brain’s ability to process and file away memories. Instead of working through and understanding traumatic events, they become “stuck” in our minds. By holding on to these memories, it leads to symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories in a way that allows them to be stored more adaptively in our minds—so they no longer feel as emotionally charged or intrusive.
Over time, EMDR allows painful memories to lose their intensity, allowing you to recall them without the emotional distress or reactions that you may be used to experiencing.
How EMDR Uses the Brain to Process Trauma
A key part of EMDR therapy is that it uses bilateral stimulation, which activates both parts of the brain. To do this, we use guided eye movements, tapping on either side of the body, or sounds alternating between your ears. This type of stimulation activates your brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing you to work through painful memories without retraumatization.
For a lot of individuals, EMDR seems strange at first. You might wonder how eye movement, tapping, and listening to sounds can really help you find lasting healing. But you can think of it all as the method your brain needs to rewire itself. EMDR has also been extensively studied and scientifically proven to help patients heal from traumatic events.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is a great tool for people with PTSD and trauma, but it also benefits anyone with unresolved emotional wounds. Here are just some of the types of people who can benefit from this treatment:
People who’ve dealt with childhood trauma
People suffering from anxiety and panic attacks
People with depression and low self esteem
People coping with grief and loss
People dealing with stress and burnout
People dealing with unhealthy and toxic relationships
People dealing with addiction and compulsive behavior
Even if you’re not sure if EMDR trauma therapy in Denver is the right treatment for you, contact me today to set up a consultation call. We’ll talk about what you’ve been struggling with and chart the best path forward. I may recommend EMDR in combination with other types of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Internal Family Systems (IFS).
What Happens in an EMDR Session?
If you’re ready to get started with EMDR trauma therapy, we’ll always start with a consultation so I can learn more about you and create a treatment plan that’s based on you and your history.
During your consultation, I’ll ask a series of questions to identify what memories or experiences may be triggering your emotions and current coping mechanisms.
Within your following sessions, you can expect the following:
Learning coping skills - As we start working together, I’ll help you learn coping mechanisms and grounding techniques to help you feel safe and present. As we work through your sessions, we’ll come back to these techniques whenever you need to regulate and take a break.
Identifying traumatic memories - When you’re ready, we’ll work together to identify a memory that you can reprocess. You’ll briefly focus on that memory, the emotions and physical responses you feel, and the beliefs you might have about it.
Bilateral stimulation - Using eye movements, tapping, or sounds, we’ll activate your brain to stimulate reprocessing.
Memory reprocessing - During and after bilateral stimulation, your brain will work to reprocess your memory in a healthier way. You may notice new thoughts and emotions come up, which we’ll talk about to help you understand together.
Integration - As your body and brain work to relieve distress associated with your traumatic memory, I’ll also work with you to replace negative thoughts and beliefs with more positive ones.
Reflection and support - At the end of every session, we’ll check in on how you’re feeling and ensure that you feel safe and stable.
Why EMDR is Effective
Research shows that EMDR addresses both psychological and physical effects from trauma. In fact, studies have shown that it leads to an 84% remission of PTSD diagnosis with patients.
EMDR is so effective because it taps into our brains’ natural healing responses, involves the whole body, and gets to the root cause of trauma. Rather than only treating symptoms like depression and anxiety, EMDR allows your brain to reprocess the traumatic memories that cause negative thoughts and reactions.
Because of this, EMDR can lead to lasting healing and give you the skills you need to live a healthier, more positive life.
Why EMDR Trauma Therapy for Denver Clients Leads to Lasting Trauma Recovery
EMDR trauma therapy in Denver might be right for you if you’re looking to finally break free of negative memories and emotions that feel like they’re controlling your life. As an evidence-based approach to healing and rewiring the brain, it’s a great method for lasting trauma recovery.
No matter what you’ve been through, there is a path forward. As a licensed trauma therapist in Denver, I’m here to walk with you and guide you to the life you deserve to live. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and get started on your healing journey.
About the Author
Gigi Woodall, LMFT
Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist in Denver
Hi, I’m Gigi—a Denver-based trauma therapist passionate about helping individuals 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 nonprofit organizations and treatment centers before transitioning to private practice. I am actively involved with the Eating Disorder Foundation and the Denver chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP). Currently, I’m on the path to becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).
With specialized training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed therapy, EMDR, and eating disorders, 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.