Trauma, PTSD & Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) Treatment in Colorado
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy
Depth-Oriented, Trauma-Informed Care for Developmental and Relational Trauma
Trauma is not only defined by what happened – it is defined by how the nervous system adapted to survive. For many, trauma symptoms persist long after the original events, shaping emotions, relationships, self-concept, and avoidance patterns.
We provide specialized treatment for trauma, PTSD, and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) using an integrative, trauma-informed model that blends Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), exposure/response-based work, and, when appropriate, legally supported psilocybin-assisted therapy in Colorado under the Natural Medicine Health Act.
Our approach emphasizes safety, pacing, and internal trust, recognizing that trauma heals best when the system is supported, not forced.
What is PTSD vs. Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often associated with single-incident or time-limited traumatic events, such as accidents, assaults, or medical trauma. Symptoms may include hyperarousal, intrusive memories, avoidance, emotional numbing, and changes in mood or cognition.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Complex PTSD develops in response to chronic, relational, or developmental trauma, often occurring in early life or within caregiving relationships. In addition to PTSD symptoms, C-PTSD often includes:
- Persistent shame or negative self-concept
- Emotional dysregulation or shutdown
- Difficulty trusting or feeling safe in relationships
- Chronic self-criticism or people-pleasing
- A sense of fragmentation or inner conflict
C-PTSD reflects long-term adaptations to environments where safety, attunement, or consistency were lacking.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Central to Healing Complex Trauma
Complex trauma is rarely healed through exposure alone. Internal Family Systems (IFS) understands trauma responses as intelligent survival strategies, not pathology. IFS views the psyche as made up of parts – each with its own role, emotions, beliefs, and history. Trauma often causes these parts to become stuck in extreme protective roles, such as:
- Hypervigilant parts scanning constantly for danger
- Avoidant parts suppressing emotion or disengaging from relationships
- Critical parts using shame to maintain control
- Younger parts carrying fear, grief, or unmet attachment needs
IFS helps clients build a compassionate relationship with their parts from a grounded internal state called Self, creating the foundation for healing and integration.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Trauma Recovery
ACT is central to our approach, helping clients relate differently to internal experiences rather than getting stuck in avoidance, rumination, or self-criticism. ACT promotes psychological flexibility and post-traumatic growth by encouraging:
- Willingness to experience emotions without suppression or avoidance
- Defusion from trauma-driven beliefs and self-stories
- Mindful awareness of the present moment
- Reconnection with personal values, meaning, and identity beyond trauma
By practicing ACT strategies, clients gradually learn that thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations – even distressing ones – can coexist with a meaningful, value-driven life. This allows trauma recovery to move forward even while difficult emotions persist.
Targeted Exposure and Response Work
Trauma-related avoidance can keep the nervous system stuck in cycles of fear, disconnection, and distress. Exposure and response-based strategies help clients safely confront avoided emotions, memories, and relational experiences. Our approach includes:
- Gradual, titrated exposure to trauma-related triggers and bodily sensations
- Building tolerance for previously overwhelming emotions and memories
- Re-engaging with life activities and relationships narrowed by trauma
- Combining exposure with ACT techniques to foster acceptance and psychological flexibility
Exposure work is always carefully paced, internally guided, and integrated with IFS and ACT strategies to prevent retraumatization while strengthening internal safety.
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy as a Supportive Tool
When used ethically and in a controlled, legal setting, psilocybin-assisted therapy can enhance trauma recovery by reducing rigid defensive patterns and allowing emotions, memories, and bodily sensations to surface safely. Potential benefits include:
- Accessing Self-energy (calm, clarity, compassion)
- Reducing emotional shutdown or avoidance
- Processing traumatic material without overwhelming the system
- Enhancing connection, internal trust, and relational openness
Psilocybin complements ACT, exposure, and IFS work – it is not a replacement for therapy but a supportive tool within a structured, trauma-informed framework.
Healing Trauma by Working With Parts, Values, and Responses
Avoidance is a survival response, not failure. Trauma recovery involves:
- Identifying protective parts and understanding their role
- Building internal safety and trust before processing painful material
- Unburdening parts carrying fear, shame, or helplessness
- Engaging in value-driven actions even when trauma-related thoughts or feelings arise
- Integrating corrective experiences such as protection, validation, and reparenting
Through IFS, ACT, and exposure/response work, clients learn to respond flexibly to internal and external triggers, restoring internal cohesion and resilience.
A Trauma-Informed, Ethical, and Legal Framework
Our trauma work is grounded in:
- Evidence-based psychotherapy
- Deep respect for pacing and consent
- Careful screening and preparation
- Legal compliance with Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act
- Ongoing integration and relational support
Psilocybin-assisted therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and all care is individualized with safety as the priority.
This model is a strong fit for individuals who:
- Identify with PTSD or Complex PTSD
- Experienced relational, attachment, or developmental trauma
- Feel fragmented, emotionally overwhelmed, or shut down
- Found traditional therapy helpful but incomplete
- Seek trauma treatment emphasizing compassion, safety, and depth
Trauma recovery is about restoring the ability to feel safe, connected, and fully alive in the present. With the right combination of IFS, ACT, exposure/response work, and supportive psilocybin-assisted therapy, even long-standing trauma patterns can soften, allowing resilience, meaning, and authentic connection to emerge.
If you’re interested in trauma, PTSD, or C-PTSD treatment in Colorado, including psilocybin-assisted therapy under state law, schedule a consultation to explore your options.