EMDR & Trauma Therapy in Chicago
Healing Trauma When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough
Some experiences get stuck in your body and mind, replaying on loop despite your best efforts to "move on." Whether it's birth trauma, pregnancy loss, sexual assault, or childhood wounds, EMDR can help you finally process and heal.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a researched-backed therapy that helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require detailed verbal recounting of trauma.
How It Works:
- • Activates your brain's natural healing ability
- • Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds)
- • Reprocesses stuck memories
- • Reduces emotional charge of traumatic events
- • Builds on your inherent resilience
Think of it like this:
If you cut your hand, your body knows how to heal. But if something gets stuck in the wound, it can't heal properly. EMDR removes what's stuck so natural healing can occur.
Specialized EMDR for Women's Experiences
Birth Trauma
- • Emergency cesareans
- • Traumatic deliveries
- • NICU experiences
- • Birth injuries
- • Feeling powerless during labor
- • Medical trauma during pregnancy
Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- • Miscarriage trauma
- • Stillbirth
- • Infant loss
- • Traumatic D&C procedures
- • Recurrent loss trauma
Sexual Trauma
- • Sexual assault
- • Childhood sexual abuse
- • Intimate partner violence
- • Medical trauma (procedures, exams)
- • Sexual harassment
Complex Trauma
- • Childhood emotional neglect
- • Narcissistic parent relationships
- • Chronic invalidation
- • Attachment wounds
- • Intergenerational trauma
Single-Incident Trauma
- • Car accidents
- • Medical emergencies
- • Violent crimes
- • Natural disasters
- • Sudden losses
When Traditional Therapy Isn't Enough
You might benefit from EMDR if:
- • Talk therapy helped but you still feel stuck
- • Certain memories cause physical reactions
- • You have nightmares or flashbacks
- • You avoid reminders of the event
- • You feel emotionally numb or disconnected
- • Your body holds tension or pain
- • You have unexplained anxiety or panic
- • You know intellectually you're safe but don't feel it
Common Trauma Symptoms:
- • Intrusive thoughts or images
- • Hypervigilance
- • Emotional dysregulation
- • Dissociation or spacing out
- • Difficulty trusting others
- • Shame and self-blame
- • Physical symptoms without medical cause
Your Journey to Healing
Phase 1-2: Preparation
- • Building trust and safety
- • Learning coping resources
- • Strengthening mind-body connection
- • Understanding your trauma responses
Phase 3-6: Processing
- • Identifying target memories
- • Bilateral stimulation sessions
- • Allowing natural reprocessing
- • No need for detailed verbal recounting
Phase 7-8: Integration
- • Strengthening positive beliefs
- • Future templating
- • Ensuring lasting change
- • Building resilience
Session Experience:
- • 55 minute sessions
- • You remain in control throughout
- • Can stop or pause anytime
- • Processing continues between sessions
Specialized Trauma Therapy for Women
Expertise You Can Trust
- • EMDR trained therapist
- • Advanced training in birth trauma
- • Specialization in women's trauma
Safe, Supportive Environment
- • Private Bucktown office
- • Comfortable therapy space
- • Go at your pace
- • No pressure or judgment
Integrated Approach
- • EMDR combined with other therapies
- • Mind-body integration
- • Cultural sensitivity
- • Feminist-informed perspective
What to Really Expect
Myth:
"I'll have to relive my trauma in detail"
Fact:
EMDR requires minimal verbal description of trauma
Myth:
"It's hypnosis or mind control"
Fact:
You remain fully conscious and in control
Myth:
"It erases memories"
Fact:
Memories remain but lose their emotional charge
Myth:
"Results are temporary"
Fact:
Research shows lasting improvement
Good Candidates for EMDR
EMDR works best when you:
- • Have identified trauma to process
- • Feel generally stable in daily life
- • Can tolerate some emotional discomfort
- • Are ready to heal vs. just cope
- • Have some coping resources
May need preparation first if:
- • Currently in crisis
- • Active substance abuse
- • Severe dissociation
- • Very recent trauma (unless single incident)
We'll assess readiness together and prepare you for success
Your EMDR Questions Answered
"How many sessions will I need?"
Single traumas may resolve in 3-6 sessions. Complex trauma takes longer. We'll regularly assess progress.
"Will I get worse before better?"
Some temporary increase in dreams or emotions is normal as processing occurs. We'll ensure you have coping tools.
"Can I do EMDR virtually?"
Yes!
"What if I can't do eye movements?"
We can use tapping, sounds, or other bilateral stimulation methods.
Trauma Doesn't Have to Define You
Ready to finally process what's been stuck? EMDR could be the key to moving from surviving to thriving.
In-person sessions in Bucktown, Chicago
Convenient to Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square. Ample parking available.