Trauma-Informed Therapy
At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we believe healing is possible for everyone. Trauma-informed therapy is a way of providing care that understands the deep impact trauma can have on someone's mental, emotional, and physical health. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” a trauma-informed therapist asks, “What happened to you?” This perspective creates safety, respect, and compassion for each person’s story.
What is trauma-informed therapy?
Trauma-informed therapy is an approach that mental and behavioral health providers take to avoid re-traumatizing clients during treatment. Taking a trauma-informed approach is especially beneficial for addiction treatment providers, since around 75% of people with a substance use disorder have experienced trauma.
Definition, principles, and how it differs from trauma-focused care
Trauma-informed care: A method of recognizing how past trauma affects people today. It focuses on safety, respect, and avoiding re-traumatization. It also values people’s voices and experiences, making sure they help shape the care they receive.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), trauma-informed approaches are built on six key principles:
- Safety
- Trustworthiness and transparency
- Peer support
- Collaboration and mutuality
- Empowerment, voice, and choice
- Cultural, historical, and gender issues
Unlike trauma-focused (or just trauma) therapy, trauma-informed therapy doesn't always directly address trauma. Rather, therapists use non-triggering methods to help clients make progress in recovery.
Who we help
Trauma-informed therapy can support anyone who has experienced overwhelming or painful life events. At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we use trauma-informed techniques for our clients who have reported a traumatic experience in their lives, including those living with:
- PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop after events such as violence, accidents, or combat. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
- Complex trauma: Repeated or long-term trauma, such as childhood abuse or domestic violence, can cause deep emotional scars.
- Childhood trauma: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to long-term struggles with trust, safety, and coping.
- Abuse survivors: Whether physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, trauma-informed therapy validates survivors’ experiences, rebuilds safety, and strengthens empowerment.
- Grief and traumatic loss: Losing a loved one suddenly or violently creates a painful mix of trauma and grief.
While we don't offer specific trauma treatment programs, we do help people overcome their struggles with drugs or alcohol. Our licensed professionals can provide specialized treatment for some co-occurring disorders. Talk to our admissions team about which program might be right for you as you start the next part of your recovery journey.
Sheridan Grove's trauma-informed care approach
Our approach is rooted in compassion and empowerment. From the first phone call with our team to therapy sessions in treatment, we prioritize your dignity and safety.
Safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment, cultural humility
The team at Sheridan Grove uses the six guiding principles of trauma-informed therapy to create a welcoming, supportive environment for all of our clients.
- Safety: Therapy spaces at our Aurora center are calm, confidential, and supportive, so you never feel at risk.
- Trust: Therapists are consistent and transparent, following through on their word.
- Choice: You set the pace. You decide what to share and when.
- Collaboration: Healing is a partnership; you and your therapist work together as equals.
- Empowerment: Sessions highlight your strengths and resilience.
- Cultural humility: We honor your background, identity, and values with respect and openness.
Addiction treatment that respects your journey.
Evidence-based therapies we offer
At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we use a range of evidence-based talk therapies. When paired with our trauma-informed approach, we help our clients heal and make progress without slipping backward.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps our clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. By focusing on practical coping strategies, CBT empowers people to manage challenges and improve emotional well-being.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy gives people tools to regulate emotions, improve relationships, and navigate distress. With a focus on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT supports personal growth and resilience.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy allows people to embrace difficult emotions while committing to actions aligned with their values. By fostering flexibility, ACT empowers them to live a more meaningful and satisfying life.
Motivational interviewing (MI)
Motivational interviewing is a collaborative approach to help people resolve ambivalence and build motivation for change. It’s particularly effective in supporting them as they work toward personal goals or overcome challenges.
Integrated support for co-occurring concerns
Trauma and addiction are closely linked. That’s why Sheridan Grove Recovery offers co-occurring disorders treatment—integrating trauma-informed therapies with addiction care and mental health support.
ADHD: Struggling with focus, emotions, and addiction
ADHD can make it tough to focus, control impulses, or manage emotions, which sometimes leads to using substances as a way to cope. Therapy can help you manage symptoms and build healthier ways to handle challenges, reducing the risk of relapse.
Anxiety: Breaking free from worry, overwhelm, and addiction
Living with anxiety can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to turn to substances to self-medicate. Unfortunately, this can create a harmful cycle. Therapy gives you the tools to ease anxiety, build resilience, and address the connection between worry and addiction.
Bipolar disorder: Finding stability and managing addiction
The episodes of bipolar disorder can make substances feel like a quick fix for managing highs and lows. Therapy helps you focus on stability, develop healthy coping skills, and break the link between mood shifts and addiction.
Depression: Rediscovering hope, motivation, and freedom from addiction
Depression can make everything feel heavy, and substances might seem like a way to escape the pain. Therapy helps you process your emotions, rebuild motivation, and replace harmful habits with healthier ones, breaking free from addiction.
Trauma-informed therapies are integrated into all our programs, helping clients process underlying experiences that may impact their mental health.
Your first sessions
Starting trauma-informed therapy may feel daunting, but we'll guide you step by step.
Exploring history with care and compassion
Your therapist will create a safe and supportive space to understand your experiences and current challenges. Psychoeducation—learning how trauma impacts the brain and body—can help you make sense of your reactions and reduce self-blame.
Gaining insight into triggers and responses
Together, you’ll explore how your nervous system responds to certain situations, sounds, or environments. This includes understanding triggers and recognizing feelings like detachment or “zoning out,” all while building awareness without judgment.
Developing tools for safety and stability
Before addressing deeper challenges, we’ll focus on practical strategies to support your well-being. Techniques like grounding exercises, breathwork, and emotional regulation will help you feel more stable and in control in daily life.
What to expect in trauma-informed therapy
Healing is a journey, and trauma-informed therapy is designed to support you every step of the way. Here's how we apply key principles in practice:
Prioritizing safety
Your emotional and physical safety comes first. Sessions start with check-ins to establish comfort and trust. We also collaborate on personalized safety plans and provide 24/7 support during your time in treatment at our Aurora center.
Building skills for coping
We focus on practical tools to help you manage stress and regulate emotions. From grounding techniques to mindfulness exercises, you’ll develop strategies to navigate difficult moments with confidence.
Processing at your pace
We work together to explore and process experiences without overwhelm. The pace is always guided by your readiness, ensuring that therapy remains a space of empowerment.
Integration and aftercare
Each session concludes with grounding exercises to help you transition back to your day feeling supported, not drained. Aftercare plans provide actionable steps to maintain progress between sessions.
We're available for help 24/7.
About our team
Our licensed clinicians bring specialized trauma-informed training and years of experience supporting recovery. We invest in ongoing education so our team is always prepared with the latest best practices.
Every therapist at Sheridan Grove Recovery is licensed and trauma-informed. Many have additional certifications in evidence-based trauma care. Their dedication ensures you receive compassionate, expert treatment.
Start trauma-informed therapy in Aurora, CO
Starting therapy at Sheridan Grove Recovery is simple and immediate. Our admissions are open 24/7, and we even provide transportation so you can access care without delay.
Call us anytime at 303.268.2987 or contact us online. We’ll guide you through your options, including in-person sessions in Aurora or online therapy if that works better for you.
Frequently asked questions
It varies. Some clients benefit in a few months, while others may work with a therapist for a year or more. The pace is tailored to your journey.
Yes. Research shows virtual trauma therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Telehealth makes care more accessible for many clients.
- Trauma counseling: General support for those affected by trauma.
- Trauma-informed therapy: Specific therapeutic techniques delivered in a trauma-sensitive way.
- Trauma-informed care: Organization-wide commitment to trauma sensitivity in all services.
Sheridan Grove Recovery accepts commercial insurance and Medicaid. Most insurance plans cover trauma therapy as part of mental health benefits. Our admissions team can verify your coverage.
Resources and 24/7 support for trauma survivors
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP for treatment referrals
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
- RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
