MEET ALEXA
Holistic Trauma Therapist in Boulder, CO
When you’re looking for a new therapist, you’re probably wondering things like “Will this person get me? Are they the right fit? Can I be myself with them?”
If you’ve had disappointing therapy experiences, you might be hesitant to give it another try — especially if you didn’t feel seen or understood in the room. Or perhaps you learned a ton of skills, but didn’t get to the root of the pain.
I’m Alexa, an EMDR trained trauma and anxiety therapist in Boulder, CO. I help thoughtful adults recover from anxiety and trauma so they can feel at home in their bodies, authentic in their relationships, and anchored in self-trust.
I’VE BEEN THERE…
I know what it’s like to be thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply invested in personal growth, yet still struggle to trust yourself: to understand where your patterns come from but find yourself falling into them anyway; to want to honor your needs and desires, but feel guilt or fear when doing something that might disappoint someone else.
I know what it’s like to want to feel at home in your own skin, authentic in your relationships, and confident in the choices you make. To sense that there’s a way of living that feels more true to who you are, even when letting go of old ways of being feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
Over time, I’ve come to understand that growth isn't about becoming a better version of yourself by trying harder. It's about creating the space to listen inward, make sense of what you've been carrying, and relate to yourself with greater compassion. It’s about recognizing your strength and values and taking actions that align with who you know you are beneath the layers of shame and blame. Now, I help my clients untangle what's keeping them stuck so they can trust their own needs, feel more at home in their bodies, and live with greater freedom, authenticity, and self-trust.
Trauma therapy with me centers:
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HONESTY
No need to tip-toe around your feelings here. We can bring the tough stuff into the room.
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DIGNITY
Your worth is not dependent on your achievements (including being a “good client” in therapy!) It is inherent.
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ATTUNEMENT
We tend not only to what’s being said, but also what’s not being said, what’s being felt (but maybe not expressed) and make space for all of it.
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COMPASSION
We recognize, name, and soften toward the struggle — including the challenges inherent in the healing process.
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SYNERGY
You are an active participant in this work. We collaborate on the process every step of the way.
My Clinical Background as a Trauma Therapist
✔ Specializing in Holistic Trauma and Anxiety Recovery
I work with adults navigating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, boundaries, and related challenges.
✔ MSW, Smith College School for Social Work
I hold a Master of Social Work and am a Colorado Clinical Social Work Candidate (SWC).
✔ EMDR-Trained
I completed EMDRIA-approved training for simple and complex trauma. I don’t just dabble in EMDR; I conduct multiple sessions every week across my caseload.
✔ Integrative & Body-Based Approach
My work draws from trauma-informed psychotherapy, EMDR, yoga therapy, and contemplative psychotherapy, integrating psychological and body-based perspectives.
More Personally
I am a daughter, sibling, friend, dancer, writer, and aunt to a few humans and animals (like Tucker here). I like to spend my free time cooking, hiking, thinking about creative projects, tending to my tiny herb garden, and watching The Daily Show. I’m a former competitive athlete (ski racing!) and a long-time student of Tibetan Buddhism and other mind-body wisdom traditions.
I love the intuitive and the intellectual, the spiritual and the scientific. I’ve spent my life finding more and more integration among these things. I’ve been working as a wellness practitioner for 15 years and through that time worn many hats, including social science researcher, contemplative mentor, writer and editor, yoga therapist, and trauma, EMDR, and anxiety therapist. I bring my whole self to the therapeutic space so that you feel permission to do the same.
I have a lot of passion for life and humanity, and the power of healing personally and collectively. I spent close to a decade slow-traveling the world, which eventually led me to pursue being a therapist. I love that this work and working hard for my clients. If you think I might be a good fit as your therapist, let’s connect!
Click below to learn more about my education and trainings…
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Master of Social Work (MSW), Smith College School for Social Work, 2024
B.A. Psychology, Western Connecticut State University, 2021
B.A. English, Schreyer Honors College, The Pennsylvania State University, 2010
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Currently completing advanced EMDR training to become EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist (2026)
EMDR trained therapist through EMDRIA approved basic training in EMDR for simple and complex trauma (2025)
Meditation Faculty, Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science (2020-present)
Certified teacher of Compassion-Based Resilience Training, Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, 2021
Certificate from 3-year program in Contemplative Psychotherapy, Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, 2020
IAYT-certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), International Association of Yoga Therapists, 2018
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Yaden, D. B., Graziosi, M., Owen, A. M. ... (2025). A field-wide review and analysis of study materials used in psilocybin trials: Assessment of two decades of research. Psychedelic Medicine, 3(1), 1–18.
Earp, B. D., McLoughlin, K. L., Owen, A., Calcott, R., Caraccio, M., Clark, M. S., & Crockett, M.J. (2021). Praise and blame in relational context. In B. D. Earp, Relational Morality [Doctoral dissertation, Yale University]. Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Owen, A, Oberleitner, L., and Oberleitner, D. (November 2019). The Role of Emotional Processing on Health in College Students. Poster presented at the New England Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Manchester, NH.
Owen, A. (2019, April). Living Life Creatively. Invited lecture with Dr. Christopher Uhl in Environmental Science. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Owen, A. (2010). Functions of Irish Famine Poetry: Speaking the Unspeakable through the Written Word (Undergraduate honors thesis).
Therapy Services
Therapy for Trauma & PTSD
Trauma therapy is about processing what’s been keeping you knotted up inside in a gentle, titrated way so you can feel more safe, grounded, self-trusting, and free. It’s not about pushing through, but going at the speed of trust in your nervous system so that, over time, you can come home to yourself again.
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety therapy helps you get some space from racing thoughts and constant nerves through practical tools that can help ground you back into your body and your life. Let this be the step you take to turn the volume down on the mental noise and feel more calm and grounded in your everyday life.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy helps your brain naturally process experiences that have remained unresolved so they no longer carry the same emotional charge. Together, we'll work gently and at the pace of your nervous system to help you feel freer to move through life with greater confidence and self-trust.