Been using Photoshop at work (graphic design) since ver. 2.5 (15 years?) and yes it can be a complex program, but easy enough to learn if you keep it simple. I use PS Elements at home and it has most features of the full Photoshop.
A good learning resource is VTC.com - they have video tutorials on hundreds of software titles. For $30.00 a month, you have access to all of them. They have tutes for both regular PS and Elements, going back several versions. You can repeat any lesson as much as you need. If you can dedicate the time, that $30 can go a long way and be worth the expense. They also have dvds that you can buy.
Mike