EMDR Therapy
Heal at the Root, Not Just the Surface
- Anxiety and EMDR specialists for every age and stage
- 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 Jessica Davis, LCPC, Practice Owner · Updated October 2026
UNDERSTANDING EMDR
What Is EMDR and How Can It Help?
You have tried talking about it. You have tried pushing through it. But the anxiety, the flashbacks, or the overwhelming emotions keep coming back. That is because some experiences get stored in the brain in a way that keeps them feeling as raw and real as the day they happened. EMDR helps the brain reprocess those experiences so they stop running your life.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro and is one of the most researched treatments available for anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming emotions. During sessions, your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation (like side-to-side eye movements or tapping) while you focus on a specific memory or feeling. This helps the brain process what it could not process on its own, so the memory loses its emotional charge.
Research from Harvard Health confirms that EMDR can be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing anxiety and trauma symptoms, with results that last long after treatment ends. You do not have to relive every detail of what happened. EMDR works differently from traditional talk therapy. The focus is on the emotions and body sensations connected to the experience, not on retelling the story over and over. The World Health Organization’s 2013 guidelines recommend EMDR, along with trauma-focused CBT, for PTSD in children, adolescents and adults, and about 6 out of every 100 Americans will have PTSD at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD. EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they stop feeling as raw.
In-network with
- Aetna PPO
- Cigna / Evernorth
- BCBS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
- Initial assessment $200
- Ongoing sessions $150
Insurance and rates
Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options. We believe quality mental health care should be accessible. Davis-Smith Mental Health is in-network with the following insurance providers.
We also offer self-pay options and can provide a Superbill for out-of-network benefits.
“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it.”
– Dr. Francine Shapiro, Creator of EMDR
Where EMDR makes a difference
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR therapy is effective for more than just trauma. If any of the following feel familiar, EMDR may be a good fit:
Anxiety and Worry
Persistent worry, racing thoughts, and physical tension that will not let up, even when you know there is no real threat.
Trauma and PTSD
Flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness from past experiences that still feel unresolved.
Panic Attacks
Sudden, intense fear with physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Performance Anxiety
Overwhelming stress around tests, sports, presentations, or social situations that hold you back from doing what you are capable of.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional reactions that feel too big for the situation, often leaving you drained or feeling out of control.
Negative Self-Beliefs
Deep-rooted beliefs like “I am not good enough” or “Something is wrong with me” that started long ago and still feel true today.
Most people associate EMDR therapy with trauma, but it treats a much wider range of issues than many realize. EMDR therapy works by helping the brain reprocess experiences that got stuck, and those stuck experiences do not always look like what people picture when they hear the word “trauma.” Sometimes it is a pattern of anxiety that started so long ago you cannot trace it back to one event. Sometimes it is a belief about yourself that you know is not true, but still feels true in your body. It can show up as panic, emotional shutdown, constant tension, or reactions that feel bigger than the situation calls for.
If something from the past is still driving how you feel today, EMDR therapy may help. For more information about how EMDR works, you can review the EMDR International Association‘s overview of EMDR therapy.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
Phase 1: History and Planning
Michelle learns about your background and what you want to work on. Together, you identify the memories or experiences that are driving your current symptoms.
Phase 2: Preparation
You learn grounding and coping tools so you feel steady before, during, and after reprocessing. This phase is about making sure you feel in control throughout the process.
Phases 3 to 6: Reprocessing
This is the core of EMDR. You focus on a target memory while Michelle guides bilateral stimulation. You notice whatever comes up: thoughts, feelings, body sensations. Over time, the memory loses its intensity, and the negative beliefs attached to it begin to shift.
Phases 7 to 8: Closure and Review
Each session ends with grounding to make sure you leave feeling stable. At the start of the next session, your therapist checks in on how the previous work settled.
Our EMDR Therapist + Approach
How Do We Use EMDR at Davis-Smith Mental Health?
We do not use EMDR as a one-size-fits-all technique. Before anything else, we get to know you, what brought you in, and what you have already tried. EMDR is one tool among several, and we only recommend it when it fits what you are working on.
Trust comes first. Many of our clients have had experiences where they felt rushed or unheard, so we take our time. We explain what EMDR is, how it works, and what each step will feel like before we ever begin reprocessing.
For teens, we keep parents informed about the process while protecting the privacy of what is shared in session. We adapt the pace and the language so EMDR feels manageable at any age.
Adults often come to EMDR after years of carrying something that never fully healed. Whether it is one hard memory or a pattern of painful experiences, EMDR gives your brain a way to finally file it where it belongs.
EMDR often works alongside other approaches, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), so you have practical skills for daily life while deeper healing happens. Learn more about EMDR for anxiety, EMDR for trauma, and what to expect in EMDR therapy.
The goal is not to erase your memories. It is to take the sting out of them, so the past stops running your present.
OUR EMDR-TRAINED THERAPIST
Who Provides EMDR Therapy at Davis-Smith Mental Health?
EMDR at Davis-Smith Mental Health is provided by Michelle Verheyen, LCPC. Michelle is trained in EMDR and uses it with teens, young adults, and adults dealing with anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming emotions.
Michelle combines EMDR with other approaches, including DBT (a skills-based method for managing intense emotions) and attachment-based therapy (which focuses on how early relationships shape the way we connect with others), tailoring each session to what the client needs. She creates a space where clients feel safe enough to do the deeper work that EMDR requires, without rushing or pressure.
If you are not sure whether EMDR is right for you, that is completely fine. Your first session is a conversation. Michelle will help you understand what EMDR involves, answer your questions, and work with you to decide if it is a good fit. Learn more about what to expect from your first session.
We work with teens (13+), young adults, and adults at our office in New Lenox, IL. We also offer telehealth sessions throughout Illinois. We are in-network with Aetna PPO, BCBS PPO, Cigna/Evernorth, UHC, and UMR. Visit our insurance and rates page for details.
Serving the New Lenox Area
Where Can I Find EMDR Therapy Near New Lenox?
Our office is at 100 Batson Court, Suite 206, in the heart of New Lenox, IL. We are right off Route 30 and just a short drive from the New Lenox Metra station on the Rock Island line, making it easy to get to from Joliet, Mokena, Frankfort, Lockport, Tinley Park, Orland Park, and Homer Glen.
Many of the teens and young adults we see in EMDR come from New Lenox Township and the surrounding school districts, including Lincoln-Way, Mokena, and Frankfort. Whether your family is local to New Lenox or driving in from elsewhere in Will County, we are here to help.
If getting to the office does not work for your schedule, we also offer telehealth sessions for anyone in Illinois. Many clients switch between in-person and online depending on the week.
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 there are no surprises.
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.
EMDR Therapy Services
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 anywhere in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
Your Path to Healing
Start Your EMDR Journey Today
Tell us a little about what is going on. We will match you with the right therapist and reach out to schedule.
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.
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.
Trauma Counseling
Trauma is one of the most common drivers of anxiety in teenagers and young adults. It doesn’t always look like what you’d expect. It can show up as constant worry, anger, trouble concentrating, or emotional shutdown. Our therapists help clients work through trauma at their own pace, in a space where they feel safe.
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 EMDR Therapy
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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 specialists for children, teens, and adults
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- Telehealth anywhere in Illinois
- In-person in New Lenox
- EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma
- We truly care about every client
- There is courage in change
