Trauma Therapy
- Anxiety counseling for every age, and EMDR with our EMDR-trained therapist
- In-person in New Lenox and telehealth across Illinois
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- No waiting list, and we reply within 24 hours
Reviewed by Danielle Moon, LSW, Anxiety & Behavior Therapist · Updated October 2026
A Path to Recovery and Strength
Understanding Trauma and PTSD
Trauma is a distressing experience that can occur as a single event or be endured over time, leading to a profound sense of threat to one’s life, body, or the safety of loved ones. Recovering from trauma can be incredibly challenging, which is why trauma therapy is highly recommended. Traumatic events can include sexual abuse or assault, physical abuse or assault, emotional abuse, neglect, serious accidents or illnesses, domestic violence, witnessing domestic violence, community violence, school violence or bullying, natural disasters, war, or grief and separation. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD, about 6 out of every 100 Americans will have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives.
“You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.”
– John Mark Green
In-network with
- Aetna PPO
- Cigna / Evernorth
- BCBS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
- Initial assessment $200
- Ongoing sessions $150
Insurance and rates
Insurance Accepted
Davis-Smith Mental Health is in network with Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna and Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare, and UMR. Not every therapist is in every network, so we check your plan with you before your first session. If you’d rather pay privately, we can give you a Superbill to use with your out-of-network benefits.
Identifying the Symptoms
Common Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD
Recognizing the symptoms of trauma and PTSD is the first step toward seeking help. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, it may be time to consider counseling:
Nightmares or Flashbacks
Reliving the traumatic event through distressing dreams or vivid memories.
Worried Thoughts and Panic
Experiencing persistent anxiety or panic attacks related to the trauma.
Numbness, Irritability, and Anger
Emotional numbness, frequent irritability, or bursts of anger.
Feeling Out of Control
A pervasive sense of losing control over one’s emotions or actions.
Isolation
Withdrawing from social interactions and avoiding people or places that trigger memories of the trauma.
Avoidance
Deliberately avoiding situations, places, or conversations that remind one of the trauma.
Distorted Self-Image
Negative thoughts about oneself or one’s body stemming from the trauma.
Low Self-Esteem
A diminished sense of self-worth and confidence.
Flight or Fight Response
Heightened alertness and physical responses to perceived threats.
The Power of Healing
How Trauma Therapy Can Help You Heal
Counseling provides a safe and supportive environment where individuals can begin their healing journey from trauma and PTSD. Here are some ways counseling can help:
Reducing Shame and Self-Blame
Alleviating feelings of guilt and responsibility for the trauma.
Decreasing Avoidant Behaviors
Encouraging engagement with life and reducing avoidance of triggers.
Improving Emotional Regulation
Learning to manage and regulate emotions more effectively.
Increasing Overall Functioning
Improving stability and daily functioning.
Increasing Self-Esteem
Building a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence.
Learning New Coping Skills
Developing strategies to manage stress and emotional responses.
Reducing Painful Memories
Techniques to lessen the impact of distressing memories.
Rebuilding a Sense of Self
Rediscovering personal strengths and identity.
Compassionate Care for Trauma Recovery
Our Approach to Treating Trauma and PTSD
At Davis-Smith Mental Health, we prioritize the individual pace and needs of our clients. Our approach to treating trauma and PTSD involves listening attentively and moving at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for the client. We understand that pushing too hard or too fast can be harmful, so we emphasize a patient and supportive approach. Treatment may include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), depending on what you need, and we pay attention to how trauma affects your relationships, sleep and sense of safety.
We help clients recognize their inherent strength and resilience from the moment they step into our office. By acknowledging their courage and perseverance, we empower them to see themselves as powerful individuals who have survived difficult experiences. Our goal is to help clients rebuild their sense of self, understand and implement effective coping skills, and take steps forward that they are comfortable with.
Trauma often involves reliving painful moments and feeling trapped in those memories. Our role is to guide clients in understanding that they no longer have to feel trapped and that they can move forward to a place of healing and strength. We provide a supportive environment where clients can process their trauma, develop new coping strategies, and regain control over their lives. Our team includes Danielle Moon, LSW, who helps kids ages 10 and up, teens, and adults work through difficult past experiences, and Michelle Verheyen, LCPC, who offers EMDR therapy for trauma.
New Client
How getting started works
It can be overwhelming coming to counseling. Here’s every step, from your first call to the sessions that follow.
Step 1
Reach out
Request a session online or call (815) 409-5940 to schedule your first appointment.
Step 2
Fill out your intake forms
Your welcome email has everything. Finish the forms at least 48 hours before your appointment, on a phone, tablet or computer, and share your preferred times and therapist.
Step 3
We check your benefits
If you’re using insurance, we check your benefits before confirming your appointment, so you have a good idea of your cost before your first visit.
Step 4
Your first session
Check in on the iPad in our waiting room. Your therapist walks you through confidentiality, answers your questions, and gets to know you and your goals.
Step 5
Plan next steps together
Most people start with weekly sessions, at least three to build a connection, then adjust together as things improve.
Trauma and PTSD Therapy Serving Will County and Southern Cook County
Healing from trauma takes time, and it takes the right support. We provide trauma and PTSD therapy for teens and young adults from New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Orland Park, Lockport, Homer Glen, Manhattan, and Joliet. Our New Lenox office is a safe, local place to begin that process, close enough that taking the first step does not feel overwhelming. You do not have to travel far to find someone who will take what you have been through seriously.
Personalized care
Licensed, caring therapists
Every therapist on our team works with anxiety. We will match you with the right therapist for you.
Anxiety at the center
Anxiety is the foundation of everything we do.
EMDR-trained care
EMDR helps clients process what talk therapy alone can’t reach.
Every age and stage
From children and teens to young adults and adults.
In-person and telehealth
Our New Lenox office or secure online therapy for clients in Illinois.
Start Your Path to Recovery
Tell us a little about what is going on. We will match you with the right therapist and reach out to schedule.
Trouble seeing the form? Open it in a new window or call us at (815) 409-5940.
What People Are Saying About Us
5.0 Based on 5 Google reviews
“Davis-Smith Mental Health truly cares about their clients. The therapists are compassionate, skilled, and genuinely committed to helping you grow and heal. It’s clear that Jessica has built a team that shares her values and dedication. Highly recommend to anyone looking for meaningful support and real results.”
Kasia Budyn · Posted on Google
“Jessica provides a safe and welcoming environment for all the teens she sees. She tailors treatment to each teen and is incredibly patient and open to their needs. I have seen first hand the work she does and the connection she has with kids. I cannot recommend her enough as someone who will care for your teen and your family!”
Google User · Posted on Google
“Davis-Smith Mental Health is a trusted resource for providing compassionate, high-quality therapy for teens and emerging adults. I know confidently that clients are supported with empathy, professionalism, and respect. Jessica leads her team with integrity and intention. She clearly prioritizes the well-being of her staff, which allows them to show up fully for the clients they serve. Their commitment to the healing journey is evident in every interaction. I’m grateful to have them as a referral partner and deeply value their work in the mental health community.”
Sherri Wick · Posted on Google
“Jessica is a dedicated therapist and absolutely loves working with teens. You are able to feel the love from the moment you walk through the door. She and her staff will provide a safe and private environment for that one on one attention you deserve.”
Melanie K. Hall · Posted on Google
“Jessica and her team are so passionate and helpful! I would recommend this practice to anyone looking!”
Biljana Krzywinski · Posted on Google
More ways we can help
Other Ways We Help
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is the most common reason families come to us, and it’s the foundation of everything we do. Whether your teen is avoiding school, your young adult can’t stop overthinking, or worry has taken over your daily life, we can help. Our therapists use CBT and EMDR to help clients understand what’s driving their anxiety and build real tools to manage it.
Teen Anxiety Counseling
The teen years are when anxiety tends to hit the hardest. School pressure, social stress, comparison, and the weight of figuring out who they are can leave teens feeling overwhelmed and stuck. We work with teens to understand what’s behind the anxiety and give them real skills they can actually use, at school, at home, and in the moments that feel like too much.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a well-researched approach for trauma, and it’s also used for anxiety. It works by helping the brain reprocess difficult memories and experiences that are keeping you stuck. Our EMDR-trained therapist works with teens, young adults, and adults.
Depression Therapy
Depression and anxiety often show up together. If your teen has lost interest in things they used to enjoy, is sleeping too much or too little, or seems hopeless about the future, therapy can help. We work with clients to find what’s underneath the depression and build a path forward that actually feels possible.
Emotional Regulation
When anxiety runs high, emotions feel unmanageable. Some children, teens, and adults feel everything. Small frustrations become explosions. Sadness becomes despair. We help clients understand their patterns and develop strategies for handling intense feelings without shutting down or lashing out.
Relationship Counseling
Anxiety doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it. It changes how they show up in every relationship. We help teens, young adults, and adults work through the ways anxiety and other challenges are impacting their connections with family, friends, and partners.
Life Transitions
Starting high school. Leaving for college. A new job, a divorce, a move. Life transitions can trigger anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, even when the change is something you wanted. We help clients work through the uncertainty and build confidence in who they’re becoming.
Young Adult Counseling
The years between 18 and 30 come with a unique kind of pressure. A lot of young adults are dealing with anxiety they’ve carried since their teenage years but never had the chance to address. We help them get unstuck and start building a life that feels like theirs.
Learn More About Trauma
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You don’t have to figure this out alone
If something told you to keep reading this far, trust that feeling. Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, or your young adult, the hardest part is deciding to start. We are here when you are ready.
there is courage in change ♥
- Anxiety counseling for children, teens and adults
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- Telehealth for clients in Illinois
- In-person in New Lenox
- EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma
- We truly care about every client
- There is courage in change