Obsidian Counseling and Wellness offers EMDR treatment services to our clients. Our therapists value using evidence based practice in counseling & psychotherapy. And, we have chosen to provide EMDR because it’s a powerful form of therapy supported by the clinical research.

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (typically just referred to as EMDR therapy) is an intense but brief therapeutic intervention designed to be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. It is well-researched, safe, and has a proven track record with PTSD, trauma, and many other mental health challenges.

This link will take you to the two-page handout that we give clients to explain EMDR. If you would like to know a little more about what EMDR is and how it works, please read on.

Did You Know?

Many celebrities opt for EMDR because of its effectiveness. There are several celebrities that have made their mental health journey public and their use of EMDR sharing how it has helped them cope with past traumas. Some of those celebrities include:

Lady Gaga
Prince Harry
Jameela Jamil
Justin Bieber
Demi Lovato
David Beckham

History and Research of EMDR

Photo of a light bar used by EMDR therapists to treat trauma, PTSD, anxiety & more. Our Chicago, IL counseling practice offers EMDR.

The process behind EMDR therapy was initially discovered in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. Over the course of her career Dr. Shapiro developed and refined a treatment modality she dubbed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR.

The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) describes EMDR therapy as “an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method. It is proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Some of these include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.”

How extensively researched? A Google Scholar search for “EMDR” turns up around 23,000 entries for books and research. As of 2021 we know of over 30 double-blind studies (the most rigorous type of scientific study there is) that have demonstrated at least some kind of treatment benefit from using EMDR.

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) also validate EMDR as an effective treatment modality. This short news segment also shows Prince Harry of the British royal family engaging in EMDR to help process the trauma of his mother’s death. Take a look to see an example of the butterfly hug technique.

Is EMDR safe?

There are some people for whom EMDR is not a good choice. Clients with a bipolar disorder or personality disorder diagnosis are not good candidates for EMDR.

For everyone else, yes. It is safe. If performed by a licensed therapist trained in EMDR. One of the beauties of EMDR is that the client is in control. The client is allowed and welcome to stop a processing session at any time. A good EMDR therapist will then check in with the client and help them regain enough equilibrium to continue with the rest of their day.

EMDR Sounds a Little Scary

EMDR is intense, and clients can expect to feel a little drained immediately afterwards. The effects of an EMDR processing session can sit in the back of a person’s mind for multiple days. Clients report flashes of new insight up to several days after an EMDR session and sometimes even relevant dreams.

Again, a trained EMDR therapist will do all of the necessary prep work with you to ensure you have successful processing sessions and are able to go about your day afterwards.

Photo of four red stones with white letters reading "EMDR" on a green/blue background representing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy which our trauma therapists offer for people in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois.

So What exactly IS EMDR?

To keep it simple let’s go letter by letter.

E and M – Eye Movement. Your EMDR-trained therapist will use gentle physical or auditory stimulation to get your eyes to move back and forth (called bilateral stimulation or BLS). Yes, this can sound like hypnotism but please bear with us. This movement opens up both sides of your brain and primes it for the next phase…

D – Desensitization. EMDRIA explains this phrase as dealing with “all of the person's responses (including other memories, insights and associations that may arise) as the targeted event changes and its disturbing elements are resolved.”

Kari, our EMDR therapist, describes this phase as mentally picking up all of the papers that have been dropped and scattered across the floor.

R – Reprocessing. This is where the eye movement gets really important. This is where the client briefly focuses on the trauma or disturbing memory while simultaneously engaging in BLS. This is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotional intensity associated with the disturbance being addressed.

Kari explains this as putting the papers in order, placing them in the correct filing cabinets, and then closing the drawers.

EMDR does not remove the memory but it takes the heat and the intensity out of it and moves it from a near re-lived experience to its appropriate place in the brain as a memory.

What Mental Health Conditions can EMDR Treat?

Originally designed as a trauma-processing technique, EMDR has also been found to be effective for

· Anxiety

· Panic attacks

· Stress

· Phobias

· Complicated grief

· Self-esteem and performance anxiety

Why Might EMDR Be a Good Choice for Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a short-term therapeutic intervention that is meant to be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. Because it helps a client delve deep into the brain it can accomplish some kinds of healing faster than traditional talk therapy. And many people may find it easier than having to talk more in depth in traditional talk therapy. It can even be useful for treating complex PTSD (cptsd). However, this is still an intense form of therapy and not everyone is suited for it nor wants to do it. Again, the beauty of EMDR is that it is up to you.

Begin EMDR Therapy in Chicago and Online Throughout Illinois

Are you tired of struggling with PTSD symptoms, frequent anxiety, self esteem issues or grief? EMDR may be able to help! At our Chicago, IL area therapy practice, we are committed to helping people find healing and offering online EMDR therapy is one way we do that. Our therapists provide mental health services for youth, adolescents, young adults and college students, and adults. If you would like to explore whether EMDR is the right treatment for you or to begin EMDR in Illinois, please follow these steps:

Fill out a consult form here or call us at 224-255-4411.
Meet with an EMDR therapist.
Start finding healing from past pains and begin fully living in the here & now!

A panorama of the Chicago Skyline at sunrise with orange clouds in the sky and water below in autumn with colorful tree foliage. Our therapists offer counseling in Chicago & throughout Illinois with online therapy & EMDR.

Other Mental Health Services in Chicago

While EMDR is a great treatment for PTSD, anxiety and several other mental health issues, it isn’t the only type of psychotherapy service we provide at our Chicago based counseling practice. We value providing a variety of evidence based counseling services so you can truly be your best self. Whether you’re looking for parent counseling, teen therapy, depression treatment, help navigating the world as a highly sensitive person, LGBTQ+ affirming mental health care or many other mental health concerns, we can help. So, if you’re ready to begin your counseling journey, please reach out to us today.

What is EMDR and How Does It Help Trauma, Anxiety, and More?