EMDR Therapy
EMDR Therapy at Our Denver LGBTQIA+ Treatment Center
EMDR is a proven approach to trauma treatment, and one of the many ways we support LGBTQIA+ adults at our outpatient treatment center in Denver. At Chroma Wellness, EMDR is delivered through individual sessions as part of integrated care for trauma, mental health, and substance use.
Reaching out for support takes courage. If you are living with PTSD or the weight of something you haven’t yet processed, you don’t have to relive every detail or explain yourself to be understood here.
EMDR moves at the pace your nervous system can handle, in a space where your identity is never treated as the problem.
The Experiences EMDR Can Help You Work Through
Trauma looks different for everyone. Sometimes its impact is obvious, and sometimes it lingers in quieter ways you may not connect to a past event, even as it shapes your daily life.
EMDR can help when you are struggling with:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Feeling constantly on guard, tense, or unsafe
- Avoiding people, places, or reminders of what happened
- Shame, numbness, or a harsh inner voice
- Emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation
- Feeling disconnected from your body or the people around you
- Relationship patterns that keep repeating
Often, trauma sits underneath other struggles. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use can all be ways of coping with pain that has not been processed. EMDR works on those roots, not just the symptoms.
What EMDR Looks Like At Chroma
EMDR therapy helps your brain reprocess painful memories so they feel less heavy.
In an EMDR session, you’ll briefly bring a difficult memory to mind while your clinician guides gentle back-and-forth stimulation, usually eye movements or tapping. Over time, the memory becomes less intense, and your reactions to it soften. EMDR is recommended as an effective treatment for PTSD by major clinical guidelines, including those of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [1].
At Chroma, EMDR is provided one-on-one by licensed EMDR practitioners. These sessions take place as part of your weekly treatment schedule and are coordinated with your individual therapy sessions as part of our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
Deciding if EMDR is Right For You
EMDR is not the right starting point for everyone, and that is okay.
Some people begin EMDR early. Others build steadiness first through grounding, somatic work, and individual therapy, then move into trauma reprocessing when they feel ready. Your care team makes that call alongside you, not for you.
You will never be pushed beyond what feels safe and supportive in your treatment.
Trauma Care That Goes Deeper Than Trauma-Informed
Plenty of programs call themselves trauma-informed. Chroma Wellness is trauma-focused, which means trauma work is built into every aspect of our program. It’s at the core of what we do.
EMDR is one aspect of how our program approaches trauma and PTSD treatment. It works alongside Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, and holistic treatments like acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Together, they combine evidence-based therapy with body-based and holistic care, supporting the nervous system and helping you heal in mind, body, and spirit.
We also understand that trauma is not always in the past. For many LGBTQIA+ folx, it’s ongoing. Whether it comes from rejection, discrimination, or having to stay guarded to feel safe in our society, that context shapes your treatment at Chroma Wellness.
Our Levels of Care: Trauma Treatment
EMDR is delivered within our two structured outpatient programs, so your trauma work is always part of a coordinated plan, never something you navigate on your own.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP is Chroma’s highest level of outpatient care, a full-time, structured program for people who need intensive support without overnight residential treatment. Clients attend Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 3:30pm, engaging in group therapy, two individual therapy sessions per week, Traditional Chinese Medicine, medication management, and case management. It is a good fit if you are in a period of active crisis or transition and need consistent, daily structure to stabilize and begin healing.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP provides structured support three to five days per week, making it a strong option for people ready to reintegrate into work, school, or daily life while maintaining a meaningful level of clinical care. Clients engage in group therapy, individual therapy, acupuncture, case management, and medication monitoring throughout the week. IOP is often the next step after PHP, or the right starting point for people who need more than weekly therapy but do not require a full-day program.
Insurance and Paying For Treatment
Chroma works with most major insurance plans. Whether you are seeking support for trauma, mental health, or substance use, coverage is often more accessible than people expect.
Our team will complete the insurance verification process for you and walk you through what to expect for out-of-pocket costs before you begin treatment, so there are no surprises.
Our Denver Location
Chroma Wellness is located at 1650 S Colorado Blvd in central Denver, near the Belcaro and University Hills neighborhoods with easy access to I-25. Our PHP and IOP programs provide structured, affirming care in a space designed for real healing.
We serve LGBTQIA+ adults throughout the Denver metro area, including Cherry Creek, Washington Park, Glendale, Aurora, Lakewood, Englewood, Littleton, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Centennial.
For clients coming from out of state or living too far to commute, affirming supportive housing is available. Contact us to learn more.
Your Healing Starts Here
Starting treatment can feel like a big step, and reaching out does not commit you to anything. Whether you are ready to begin or just have questions, our team is here to talk it through and help you understand your options.
Call us at 720-410-5569 to speak with someone about affirming treatment for LGBTQIA+ adults at Chroma Wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured trauma therapy. During an EMDR session, you briefly focus on a distressing memory while your clinician guides gentle bilateral stimulation. This helps your brain reprocess the memory so it feels less overwhelming.
Is EMDR therapy covered by insurance?
Often, yes. At Chroma Wellness, EMDR is delivered as part of our outpatient treatment programs, rather than a standalone service. Our PHP and IOP are often covered by most insurance plans. Our admissions teams can work with you to verify your benefits and determine any out-of-pocket costs.
How long does EMDR take to work?
It varies. Some people notice shifts within a handful of sessions, while others need more time. This is especially true for those who have experienced complex or repeated trauma. Your clinician will pace the work to what feels right for you and your unique situation.
Can EMDR help with trauma and substance use together?
Yes. Trauma often drives substance use, and EMDR can address the underlying pain instead of just the behavior. At Chroma, EMDR may be integrated as part of your dual-diagnosis treatment plan, so both concerns are addressed together.
Start Where You Are
You don’t have to wait for a crisis. If mental health symptoms, trauma, or substances have started to interfere with your life, we’re here to help. Many of our clients come to us unsure, but leave feeling more grounded, clear, and connected.
Call 720-410-5569 or verify your insurance to take the first step.
Healing is possible, and you deserve care that sees the full picture of who you are.