Substance use might not be the root of your addiction. There's a good chance it’s a symptom of deeper, unhealed pain. If you or someone you love is caught in a cycle of substance use, unresolved trauma might be making it hard to stop. We offer trauma therapy as part of our addiction treatment programs at Spring Grove Recovery in Colorado Springs, CO.
What is trauma therapy?
Trauma therapy is specialized counseling to help you process and heal from the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of distressing life events. It’s a guided process that helps your mind and body find safety and resolution instead of being stuck thinking about—or avoiding—what you've survived. In trauma therapy sessions, a trained therapist will navigate painful memories and feelings with you. They'll help you move forward in a way that feels manageable so you can reclaim your future.
Trauma's impact on the brain, body, and relationships
When you experience trauma, it can change how your brain and body function. Your brain’s "alarm system," or fight-or-flight response, can get stuck in the "on" position. You might feel constantly on edge. This chronic stress can lead to physical symptoms like tension, fatigue, and pain. Trauma also impacts how you connect with others, making it difficult to trust people and form the healthy, supportive relationships you deserve. These responses are normal.
How is it different from trauma-informed care?
You might hear two terms: trauma therapy and trauma-informed care. While related, they are different. Trauma-informed care is our facility-wide philosophy. It means every aspect of our addiction treatment program—from the staff we hire to the physical environment we create—puts your safety first and respects your experiences. Trauma therapy is the specific, evidence-based clinical treatment we provide in sessions to help you directly process and heal the trauma itself.
What does trauma therapy treat?
Trauma is not defined by an event or series of experiences. It's what you deal with day in and day out after you experience something awful. Our trauma therapy programs address the wide-ranging effects you struggle with so you can find relief and build resilience. Trauma therapy can help people living with:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
Long-lasting trauma, including symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares, that can follow a single, overwhelming event like an accident, assault, or combat experience.
Complex trauma (C-PTSD):
For those who have experienced prolonged or repeated trauma—often in childhood—trauma therapy is a tool that aids in healing deep wounds related to emotional abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Dissociation:
If you often feel numb, disconnected from your body, or as if you’re watching your life from the outside, it might be related to trauma. Specialized therapy can help you feel more present, grounded, and engaged with the world around you.
Attachment wounds:
Early life experiences with caregivers shape your ability to form healthy relationships, but they can also be traumatic. We help you understand and repair negative attachment patterns so you can build trust and connection.
Grief and loss:
Trauma therapy creates a supportive space to process the profound pain of a sudden, unexpected, or traumatic loss, helping you navigate your grief without turning to substances.
Signs you might benefit from trauma therapy
The effects of trauma can show up in ways you might not expect. They're not character flaws but survival responses. Do any of these feel familiar?
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or frequent nightmares
- Feeling numb, detached, or disconnected from your own life (dissociation)
- Constant anxiety, panic attacks, or a feeling of being on high alert (hypervigilance)
- Deep feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness
- Difficulty trusting others, avoiding intimacy, or struggling in relationships
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or depression
- Chronic stress, unexplained physical pain, or constant exhaustion
Your story matters. Our Colorado Springs team is here to help you heal.
Our approach to trauma therapy for addiction
Our philosophy is simple: we treat people, not just their substance use. For so many, drugs or alcohol are ways to cope with the unbearable pain of trauma. Our integrated approach addresses both issues at the same time, because we know that you cannot achieve lasting recovery without healing what's hurting you. By providing specialized care for co-occurring mental health conditions like PTSD, we help you find healthier ways to cope and break the cycle for good.
Spring Grove Recovery's licensed clinicians use specific, evidence-based therapies designed to treat the symptoms of trauma safely and effectively. We create an environment where you can process your experiences without feeling re-traumatized, allowing for genuine healing to begin.
How trauma therapy works
The thought of therapy can be intimidating. Our process is built on safety, collaboration, and your consent. You are always in control of your healing journey.
Phase 1: Gaining consent and building trust
Your first session likely won't have you diving into painful memories. Instead, you'll get to know your therapist and build a relationship based on trust and safety. Nothing is ever discussed without your full consent and readiness.
Phase 2: Assessment and personalization
Your therapist will work with you to understand your unique history, strengths, and goals. This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that respects your individual needs and pace.
Phase 3: Session structure and duration
The frequency of your individual and group therapy sessions is part of your structured treatment plan. The overall duration is tailored to your progress and needs, ensuring you have the support you need for as long as you need it.
Skills trauma therapy teaches for a resilient life
You'll do more than process trauma during sessions. Your therapist will also teach you how to build resilience for a better future. You can learn practical, lifelong skills to manage your emotions and navigate stress in a healthy way.
- Grounding techniques: Learn simple methods to anchor yourself in the present moment when you feel overwhelmed by memories or panic.
- "Parts work": Using concepts from models like internal family systems (IFS), you can learn to understand and heal the different parts of yourself that have been impacted by trauma.
- Crisis intervention & safety planning: You will work with your therapist to create a concrete plan to keep yourself safe when triggers or moments of crisis arise.
- Emotional regulation: Learn to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions without feeling the need to turn to substances.
Outcomes and benefits
Trauma therapy is evidence-based. Studies have shown that it effectively reduces the symptoms of PTSD—even in addiction treatment settings. Most importantly for your journey, it significantly lowers the risk of relapse and gives you the tools for a sustainable, long-term recovery.
Anyone who struggles with the long-term effects of trauma can benefit from therapy. It is especially powerful for those who have tried addiction treatment before but found that it wasn't enough to create lasting change.
Our trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment
We're committed to your safety and well-being, and you can see it in everything we do.
- Cultural inclusivity: We provide an affirming and respectful space for people of all identities, backgrounds, and life experiences. Your story is honored here.
- Accredited & specialized care: Spring Grove Recovery is accredited by The Joint Commission, which means our services meet the highest national standards for clinical and ethical care.
- Confidentiality and ethics: Your privacy is paramount. All therapy sessions are strictly confidential, creating the safe space you need to heal.
- Licensed, experienced specialists: Our clinical team is composed of licensed and experienced trauma therapists. They undergo ongoing education and supervision regularly.
Choosing the right trauma therapist
The connection you feel with your therapist is one of the most important factors in your healing. You need to feel safe, seen, and respected. By starting at a treatment center like Spring Grove Recovery, you have the benefit of a full clinical team collaborating on your care. We work to ensure you have a strong therapeutic match and a network of support.
Medicaid covers trauma therapy at Spring Grove Recovery
Cost should not be a barrier to healing. As an essential part of our licensed addiction treatment program, trauma therapy at Spring Grove Recovery is covered for clients with eligible Colorado Medicaid plans. Our team can help you confidentially verify your insurance.
Frequently asked questions
No. You are always in control. A good trauma therapist will never force you to discuss anything you are not ready to share; they'll gently guide you forward. Healing happens at your pace.
Healing is a personal journey, not a race. There is no set timeline. The length of therapy is unique to each person and their experiences, and we will support you for as long as it takes.
Processing trauma can be challenging, but with a skilled therapist, the process is managed safely to prevent re-traumatization. The goal is long-term relief, and we walk with you every step of the way.
No. Trauma is highly personal and can result from any event or series of events that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. This includes childhood neglect, emotional abuse, loss of a loved one, and many other experiences.
Your path to peace begins here
You deserve to feel safe in your own body and at peace in your own mind. Healing the hidden wounds of trauma can help you move toward a fulfilling and sober future. We encourage you to take this brave next step. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you find the right path to recovery.
