EMDR Therapy

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We now offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) individual therapy services.

EMDR is an effective, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and distressing memories. Using bilateral stimulation — usually guided side-to-side eye movements — while recalling traumatic memories, the therapy helps the brain reprocess information, reducing the emotional intensity of those memories.

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In person or Virtual

Our EMDR therapy is offered in our Park Ridge office located at 1440 Renaissance Dr, Suite 420, Park Ridge, IL 60068 or virtually in Illinois. Being in person allows the therapist to effectively attune to the client’s experience and provides a safe space where clients can stay grounded while recalling emotional events.

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Key Aspects of EMDR Therapy

  • Reduces the emotional, vivid, and distressing impact of traumatic memories to reframe them as memories instead of current, active threats

  • Most effective for PTSD & complex trauma but can also be effective for anxiety, depression, phobias, and addiction

  • Uses guided eye movements, sounds, or taps to help the brain process memories differently than talk therapy

  • Timelines depend on each client, but single-event trauma often takes 8-12+ sessions. Complex trauma often takes 6+ months.

  • Having individual talk therapy prior to starting EMDR can help ground and support the client during EMDR sessions.

What to Expect

  • Not for Active Crisis: It is generally not recommended for individuals in an active crisis who cannot manage safe, grounded functioning

  • Potential Side Effects: Some individuals can experience temporary increased emotional distress during the reprocessing phase

  • Phases of Approach: EMDR is a structured approach that involves preparation, assessment, desensitization, and reprocessing to ensure patient readiness.

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How to Get Started

At our center, we don’t jump straight into EMDR sessions on day one. We require all our EMDR clients to be established in individual therapy with us first.

Think of it like training for a marathon: EMDR is the race, but individual therapy is where we build the core strength and coping tools you’ll need so you don’t feel overwhelmed once the ‘heavy lifting’ starts.

Because our EMDR-trained clinicians are in high demand, we currently have limited availability for those specific sessions. While you are working with your individual therapist to have a solid foundation emotionally, we will place you on our EMDR waitlist. This way, you aren’t waiting around for help — you’re preparing for your EMDR sessions, which can make EMDR more effective.

We find that having your primary care under our roof allows for the best clinical coordination and safety, so we do require you to be an active client with one of our staff therapists. The “prep” phase of EMDR can take a few weeks or a few months, depending on the person.

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