EMDR Psychotherapy Treatment for Trauma

Process and recover.

Trauma is the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one's ability to cope. Trauma may result from a single distressing experience or recurring events that causes short and long-term negative consequences.

Trauma can be caused by a wide variety of events, but there are a few common aspects. There is a violation of the person’s core assumptions about the world and their rights, putting the individual in a state of extreme confusion and insecurity.

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Furthermore, Secondary Trauma Stress can result in those that didn’t witness the traumatic event firsthand but were exposed to it at a distance through the media, friends, or family.

We understand the sensitive nature of working with trauma. We will work with you in a sensitive, warm and compassionate manner at a safe pace that is right for you. Our goal is to utilize your strengths and support you in working through the difficulties

Your treatment will include modalities from: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, mindfulness, meditation, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

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Our licensed trauma counselors will help you:

1

Psychoeducation

Education about trauma, it’s impact on the mind/body and coping skills
2

Emotional Regulation

Identify, manage and stabilize unpleasant emotions
3

Cognitive Processing

Work through unpleasant and intrusive thoughts and memories. Reduce trauma avoidant behaviors and shift negative beliefs into positive ones about yourself, others and the world
4

Manage Hyper-Arousal

Reduce levels of physiological arousal related to stressful experiences and triggers to feel calmer and safer
5

Strengthen Coping

Develop self-soothing tools, problem solving, and techniques to achieve relief states and relaxation
6

Foster Resilience

Restore a sense of safety and trust and reclaim your personal power
7

Protect Against Relapse

Anticipate additional life stresses or adversities and create prevention plans to avoid re-traumatization
8

Cultivate Meaning

Shift focus from the past to the present and cultivate meaning of the trauma in terms of your life using a strength based perspectives

What is EMDR?

EMDR uses eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation to process distressing memories and beliefs.

Benefits include less intense psychological and physical reactions to difficult experiences, reprocesses negative beliefs about the self and replaces them with positive ones, decreases distressing emotions —and makes way for feelings of calmness, contentment, and joy. Counselor’s must be EMDR certified to conduct it.

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Common Causes.

Common traumatic events that can result in Adjustment Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include :

  • Harassment or bullying
  • Abusive relationships
  • Rejection or abandonment
  • Physical assault
  • Sexual abuse
  • Natural disasters
  • Car accidents
  • Military service
  • Loss of a loved one

Contact Us. 

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70 E Lake St #222
Chicago, IL 60601

Serving Chicago, Streeterville, Gold Coast, West Town, West Loop, River North, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Bucktown, Ravenswood and surrounding areas.

Common Questions

Do you accept insurance?

We are in network with the following insurance carriers:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Advantage
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Preferred
  • United Behavioral Health, aka United Health Care
  • Optum Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

However, if you have a carrier that we don’t accept we can still work together! Using your out of network benefits, many insurance companies will provide you with 20% to 80% reimbursement for sessions. We provide you with an invoice, you send it into your insurance company and they mail you a check. If you’d like to know what your out of network benefits are call the number on the back of your card and ask, “What are my out of network benefits for mental health counseling?” Please contact us to provide you with additional information about this.

Is there parking available at your office?

All el lines are within 1-2 blocks, and, there are two parking garages nearby at 60 E. Lake St. and 20 E. Randolph.

I tried therapy and didn't like it. How's this different?

Therapy varies depending on the personalities of the counselor and client, as well as the particular concerns brought forward. Sometimes the chemistry between the counselor and client or the counselor’s style or approach just isn’t a good fit. The relationship between the client and the therapist is of utmost importance. Therefore, we work to create a safe environment where open and honest communication is encouraged so that concerns or questions about treatment or the relationship can be addressed in session. This often benefits the therapeutic process and deepens the therapeutic relationship.

What can I expect from the first few sessions?

During the first and second session, we will gather information about what has brought you into therapy including your concerns, what you’d like to work on and information about your current and past emotional health and life history. This information helps us gain a deeper understanding about your situation, you as a person and how to best help you. As noted earlier, since it is important that clients feel comfortable with their counseling, we encourage clients to also use the first session as an opportunity to assess if this is a good fit for you as well.

What can I expect during a typical therapy session?

During therapy you will begin to discuss and share your feelings, thoughts, and reactions in order for you to begin to gain insight, develop new thinking patters, coping skills and overall improved quality of life. It is natural to feel uncomfortable about opening up at first but this process because much easier after a few sessions. Since self-growth is possible through commitment and work I will encourage you to practice the things you discuss and learn outside of session.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

The number of sessions needed is different for everyone depending on a number of factors including but not limited to your goals, severity or intensity of your concerns or symptoms, how long you’ve been dealing with your concerns, current levels of stress, and the progress you make towards reaching your short or long-term goals.

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

In general, all communications between a client and counselor are confidential and can only be released with the client’s written permission. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • When there is a reasonable suspicion of child/dependent abuse or of an elder adult.
  • When the client communicates a threat of bodily injury to others.
  • When the client is suicidal.
  • When disclosure is required pursuant to a legal proceeding.
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