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Trauma Therapy and EMDR in Park Ridge & Willowbrook

You’ve experienced something traumatic, and things haven’t been the same since.

You thought you could somehow just get over it, but you haven’t. It’s hard enough to have experienced this, and now on top of that, you’re upset with yourself for not doing better. You’re anxious, upset, sad, emotional. One minute you’re fine and the next you’re completely not. You struggle to keep all this hidden and wonder if others notice.

Logically you know that what happened wasn’t your fault, but you may find yourself dealing with a lot of shame and guilt, wondering if you somehow could have prevented what happened or if some defect or inadequacy is the reason for the event.

We want you to know that these are common reactions to experiencing trauma. The anxiety, the feeling of being on guard constantly. Being easily triggered into a near panic attack.

The fact of the matter is, trauma impacts not only your brain, but also your body.

And when your body gets a reminder of your trauma, your body reacts in the way, well, a body reacts to the trauma. This is not something you have a choice about. And it is normal. And most importantly, it can be treated using forms of therapy that address these reactions of the body and brain.

trauma

At Life Counseling Institute, we are trained in using what are called “bottom up” approaches to treating trauma, meaning we help you work with your body’s normal physiological response to being overwhelmed by the event. And when you learn to calm your body your brain will also calm down. You will feel better and no longer be triggered into a hyperactivated—or eventually, a flattened—state of arousal.

One form of trauma therapy we may use is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which can be enormously helpful in resolving your trauma symptoms. EMDR is a highly structured form of therapy that involves bilateral stimulation of the brain through eye or other movements. It can help with PTSD, trauma-related anxiety, and emotional regulation.

Some people are not even aware that they have experienced trauma.

Perhaps it was an event years ago. Perhaps it seemed normal to you. Perhaps it wasn’t a series of events but rather chronic emotional or physical abuse or neglect in your childhood. We also know that individuals raised by parents who were emotionally absent—not necessarily abusive, but just not emotionally present or available—are also likely suffering from what is known as attachment trauma, with all the same symptoms as those who were abused…only they don’t even realize it.

trauma

Trauma counseling can help you:

  • Find hope and know that you can reclaim the life you used to have
  • Become calmer and less anxious, less hypervigilant
  • Have strategies for coping more effectively with stressors
  • Be less triggered by reminders
  • Overcome the anxiety and depression that have been running the show
  • Reconnect your body and brain and live in the present moment
  • Create a narrative around what happened that allows you to find peace and move forward
  • Regain your ability to focus and concentrate so you can work, go to school, and pay attention to your goals in life

Frequently Asked Questions about Trauma Therapy and EMDR

Many people think trauma only refers to extreme or life-threatening events. The reality is that trauma can come from many different experiences. If something continues to affect your emotions, relationships, sense of safety, or daily life, it’s worth paying attention to. You don’t need to label your experience perfectly before seeking support.

Yes. Many people begin trauma therapy long after the events occurred. Whether your experiences happened recently or many years ago, healing is possible. It’s never too late to seek support.

That’s completely understandable. Many people worry that trauma therapy means sharing every detail of painful experiences. A good trauma therapist will never force you to talk about anything before you’re ready. Therapy moves at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a therapy approach that helps the brain process and heal from distressing experiences that may feel “stuck.” Many people find that EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories and allows them to move forward with greater freedom and peace.

Not necessarily. One reason many people appreciate EMDR is that it often requires less detailed discussion of painful experiences than some traditional forms of therapy. Your therapist will guide the process in a way that feels safe and appropriate for you.

EMDR has helped many people heal from traumatic experiences, anxiety, distressing memories, and other challenges. Every person’s experience is unique, but many individuals report feeling significant relief after working through difficult memories in therapy.

Shame often keeps people silent for far too long. Whatever you’ve experienced, you deserve compassion and support. Trauma therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing can begin without fear of criticism or blame.