Your Past Doesn't Have to Control Your Present

If past experiences are still showing up uninvited in your present—through flashbacks, hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional flooding, or a nervous system that won't settle—you already know that trauma isn't something you just "get over."

Trauma changes how your brain and body respond to the world. It's not a weakness. It's not your fault. And it's treatable.

We're not here to make you relive your trauma or push you to talk about things you're not ready to discuss. We're here to help you feel safer in your own body and more present in your own life.

What Trauma & PTSD Actually Look Like

Trauma shows up differently for everyone. These are some common experiences:

Re-Experiencing:

Flashbacks that feel like you're back in the traumatic event
Intrusive memories or images you can't control
Nightmares or disturbing dreams
Strong physical or emotional reactions to reminders
Feeling like the traumatic event is happening again

Avoidance:

Avoiding people, places, activities, or conversations that remind you of the trauma
Avoiding thoughts or feelings about what happened
Not being able to remember important parts of the traumatic event
Feeling detached from your own memories

Hyperarousal & Hypervigilance:

Constantly scanning for danger
Exaggerated startle response
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Irritability or anger outbursts
Feeling "on edge" or unable to relax
Physical tension that won't release

Negative Changes in Thoughts & Mood:

Persistent negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
Ongoing feelings of fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
Feeling detached from others
Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
Feeling numb or emotionally flat

Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) May Also Include:

Difficulty regulating emotions
Negative self-perception
Relationship difficulties
Dissociation or feeling disconnected from yourself
Physical symptoms without clear medical cause

Our 100% Trauma-Informed Approach

Every single provider at Forest Path specializes in trauma-informed care. This isn't just a buzzword for us—it's how we approach every interaction.

What Trauma-Informed Actually Means:

Safety First: We create physical and emotional safety in every appointment
Your Pace, Your Choice: You're never pushed to discuss things you're not ready to talk about
Collaboration, Not Authority: You're the expert on your own experience
Understanding vs. Diagnosing: We seek to understand your symptoms in the context of what you've survived
Avoiding Re-Traumatization: We're careful about how we ask questions and structure treatment
Cultural Awareness: We understand how systemic oppression, discrimination, and historical trauma affect healing

We Understand:

Trauma isn't just about one event—it can be chronic, relational, developmental, or collective
Trauma affects the nervous system, not just thoughts and feelings
"Just talking about it" isn't always helpful and can sometimes be harmful
Healing isn't linear
What looks like "symptoms" are often adaptations that once kept you safe
You're not broken—you're responding to what happened to you

Psychiatric Treatment for Trauma & PTSD

We focus on medication management and supportive care to help stabilize your nervous system and make space for healing.

Medication Management: While medication doesn't "cure" trauma, it can significantly reduce symptoms and create space for other healing work:

We May Consider:

SSRIs/SNRIs: First-line treatment for PTSD that can reduce intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, and avoidance
Prazosin: Specifically for trauma-related nightmares
Anti-anxiety medications: For acute anxiety or panic (used carefully and short-term)
Sleep medications: To address trauma-related insomnia
Mood stabilizers: When emotional dysregulation is severe
Other options: Based on your specific symptoms and needs

Our Approach to Medication:

Start low, go slow—we're not trying to numb you out
Regular check-ins to monitor how you're responding
Adjustments based on your feedback, not just clinical assumptions
Transparency about what medications do and don't do
Respect for your concerns about medication
Willingness to try different approaches if something isn't working

Beyond Medication: We also address:

Sleep: Trauma disrupts sleep architecture, and poor sleep worsens trauma symptoms
Nervous system regulation: Practical strategies to help your body feel safer
Physical health: Trauma lives in the body; we address somatic symptoms
Substance use: Understanding trauma-related self-medication without judgment
Co-occurring conditions: Depression, anxiety, eating disorders often accompany trauma
When specialized therapy is needed: We can connect you with trauma-specialized therapists (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Therapy, etc.)

Lab Work: We may order lab work to rule out physical conditions that can worsen trauma symptoms:

Thyroid function
Vitamin deficiencies
Hormone levels
Other relevant medical factors

What Treatment Looks Like

Initial Evaluation (60-90 minutes): We go at your pace. You share what you're comfortable sharing. We're not doing trauma-focused therapy in this appointment—we're understanding what you're experiencing now and what would be helpful.

Treatment Planning: Together, we create a plan that might include:

Medication management
Regular psychiatric appointments
Coordination with therapists or other providers
Crisis planning
Nervous system support strategies

Follow-Up Appointments: Typically 30-45 minutes, focused on how you're doing, medication adjustments if needed, and ongoing support. Frequency depends on your needs.

Between Appointments: You can reach out if medication isn't working or if you're struggling. We don't make you wait weeks if there's a problem.

Types of Trauma We Work With

We provide psychiatric care for people who've experienced:

Childhood abuse or neglect
Sexual assault or violence
Domestic violence or intimate partner violence
Combat or military trauma
Medical trauma
Accidents or natural disasters
Loss and grief
Systemic or historical trauma
Complex developmental trauma
Witnessing violence
Betrayal trauma
Emotional or psychological abuse

Your trauma doesn't need to "count" as "bad enough" to deserve support. If it's affecting you, it matters.

Ages We Serve

We provide trauma-informed psychiatric care for:

Teens (12+)
Young adults
Adults
Older adults

Cultural & Identity Considerations

We understand that trauma doesn't affect everyone equally. Systemic oppression, discrimination, and marginalization create additional layers of trauma.

Our team includes providers who understand:

Racial trauma and historical trauma for BIPOC communities
LGBTQIA+ trauma including discrimination, rejection, and violence
Gender-based violence
Immigration trauma
Religious trauma
Medical trauma (especially for marginalized communities)

We provide care that acknowledges these realities without requiring you to educate us.

Telehealth Throughout Colorado

All appointments are virtual, which offers specific benefits for trauma survivors:

Control your environment—stay in your safe space
Easier to manage dissociation or overwhelm
No need to navigate triggering situations to get to appointments
Available throughout Colorado

Insurance & Access

We accept most major insurance including:

Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Oscar
Optum
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Private pay options

Note: We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare at this time.

Crisis Support

If you're in immediate danger or crisis:

Call 911
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Text "HELLO" to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-8255

We want you safe. These resources are available 24/7.

You're Not What Happened to You

Trauma can make you feel like you're permanently broken, like you'll never feel safe again, like you're defined by what happened.

But here's what we've seen: Healing is possible. Not "getting over it" or "moving on"—but integrating what happened so it doesn't control your present. Feeling safe in your body again. Reclaiming parts of yourself that trauma took.

It takes time. It's not linear. But it's absolutely possible.

Ready to Feel Safer?

If you're tired of living in survival mode, if you're ready for support that understands trauma, if you want care that doesn't require you to prove your trauma was "bad enough"—we're here.

Book an appointment online or call us at (719) 212-1951.

Same-week appointments available. You deserve to feel safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

Not at all - but we’re also here to listen and support. Your trauma will never be “too much”. We do need to understand how trauma is affecting you now so that we know when to celebrate your milestones! This said, you're never required to share details you're not ready to share. We go at your pace.

What if I don't remember much of what happened?

That's actually common with trauma. Memory gaps don't make your experience less valid.

Can medication really help with trauma?

Yes. While medication doesn't "fix" trauma, it can significantly reduce symptoms like hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and emotional flooding.

Do I need therapy in addition to medication?

Often, yes. Trauma-focused therapy (like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CPT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Somatic Therapy) can be incredibly helpful. We focus on medication management and can connect you with excellent trauma therapists.

What if I'm not sure if what I experienced "counts" as trauma?

If it's affecting you, it matters. You don't need to have experienced a specific type of trauma to deserve support.

Forest Path Psychiatry & Healing is a nurse-led psychiatric practice serving all of Colorado via telehealth. Every provider on our team specializes in trauma-informed care and understands the neurobiological and psychological impacts of trauma.