In-person & online sessions available across Illinois and Indiana
EMDR THERAPY IN OAK PARK, IL
You deserve to live your life without the past constantly pulling you back.
I want to feel better, but I just feel so stuck! Why can’t I move past this?
Somehow, after therapy and all of the coping strategies, certain memories still feel stuck—like one image you can’t stop replaying or a moment that still carries a wave of shame or fear. You may find yourself wondering why you made certain choices or why you felt pulled toward someone outside your relationship.
The moment has passed, but your nervous system doesn’t seem to have gotten the message. A place, a smell, running into someone unexpectedly, or even a passing thought can pull you right back into it. And then your body reacts before your mind can catch up—heart racing, chest tightening, and suddenly you’re reliving something you wish you could finally put behind you.
YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF THINKING THINGS LIKE:
“I know this happened years ago…so why does it still affect me?”
“Why does one specific memory keep popping up in my mind?”
“Why do I keep ending up in the same kinds of relationships?”
“I know I’m safe now, so why do I still get so angry sometimes?”
WHAT IS EMDR?
When something traumatic or overwhelming happens, the brain doesn’t always process the experience the way it normally would. Instead, the memory can become “stuck” in the nervous system along with the original images, emotions, and physical sensations. When memories stay stored this way, it can make it hard to feel fully present in your life—even when part of you desperately wants to move forward.
Even years later, something in your environment can trigger that memory, and your brain and body begin responding as if the event is happening again. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) works by helping your brain finish processing memories so they can finally be stored in the past where they belong.
THE PROCESS
EMDR follows an eight-phase treatment approach, which can sound like a lot, but the process often feels much simpler in practice.
Here’s how it works:
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We begin by understanding your history and identifying the experiences that are getting in the way or taking too much time out of your life today. Together, we begin to connect the dots between your past and the present, and set goals for your future.
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Before we begin processing memories, we develop tools to help you feel steady and fully supported during and in between sessions. (This may look like learning grounding techniques, breathing exercises, or creating a mental “peaceful place” you can return to if things feel overwhelming.)
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We then identify a specific memory, belief, or situation that still carries emotional weight. This might be a traumatic event, a relationship experience, or a moment that shaped how you see yourself.
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During EMDR processing, you will be guided to focus dually on aspects of the memory and the emotions and physical sensations this memory evokes, while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This may involve:
Following my hand movements with your eyes
Holding small vibrating tappers in each hand
Listening to alternating tones through headphones
You alternating taps on your own body (right and left on thighs, shoulders, arms)
You get to choose what feels most comfortable. This stimulation mimics what the brain naturally does during REM sleep, when we process experiences and memories.
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As your brain processes the memory, new insights often begin to emerge naturally. Things like emotional intensity decrease, the memory begins to feel more distant, and new perspectives about the experience start to develop. The memory itself doesn’t magically disappear, but it no longer carries the same emotional charge or power over your present-day life.
Learn more about the EMDR process:
EMDR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU:
Process difficult memories so they no longer carry the same emotional weight or intensity.
Feel more present in your body, even during stressful or emotional situations.
Understand how certain coping patterns—like people-pleasing, pushing others away, or overcompensating—once helped you survive.
Move forward in your life with confidence in the power of your own choices and emotional freedom.
Let go of intrusive memories or rumination that keep pulling you back into the past.
Reconnect with your sense of worth and your capacity for love—toward yourself and others.
Develop (and keep) healthier boundaries and clearer values in your relationships.
Replace guilt and shame with compassion for the younger version of yourself who went through those experiences.
THE EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIMIT YOU WHO BECOME.
frequently asked questions
FAQS
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That’s completely normal. Many clients feel unsure about trying something new at first, especially in therapy. In our work together, we move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and you remain in control throughout the process. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where healing can happen naturally.
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No. While EMDR is widely known for helping people process traumatic memories, it can also be very effective for addressing mental blocks, limiting beliefs, and patterns that keep showing up in your life. Many women use EMDR to work through things like relationship struggles, anxiety around certain situations, people-pleasing patterns, or beliefs about themselves that formed years ago.
Sometimes a specific memory sits underneath those patterns—even if it doesn’t seem like a major trauma. EMDR helps your brain process those experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity or influence over how you think, feel, and respond today.
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I have extensive training in EMDR and regularly use it in my work with clients who are processing trauma, relationship patterns, anxiety, and difficult life experiences. I’ve seen the impact and transformation it can make when people feel “stuck” in their lives or when traditional talk therapies have plateaued. My role is to guide and support you through the process while your brain does the healing work your nervous system needs.
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Yes. EMDR is a well-researched and evidence-based therapy approach that has been used for decades to treat trauma and other distressing experiences.
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The number of sessions varies depending on the experiences being processed and your individual goals. Some memories resolve fairly quickly, while others may require more time and preparation. Preparation for phase four, where the bilateral stimulation, desensitization, and reprocessing take place, takes time. While EMDR does the deeper work in a more accelerated format, it’s also not meant to be rushed—it’s about allowing your brain to heal at a pace that feels manageable.
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EMDR isn’t the right fit for everyone. Because the process involves working through difficult memories, it requires a willingness to tolerate some emotional discomfort. It may also not be appropriate for those actively using substances, severe dissociative disorders, active psychosis, certain seizure disorders, or for someone looking for a quick fix.