Virtual EMDR sessions follow the same structured approach as in-person sessions. EMDR is broken up into phases that are designed to keep the work intentional, structured, and paced appropriately. We do not jump straight into processing memories.

Early sessions focus on preparation. This includes getting to know your history, identifying goals, and building skills to help you feel grounded and supported during and between sessions. We also identify specific experiences or themes to target when the timing is right.

When processing begins, we briefly focus on aspects of a memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping. I use remotEMDR, a secure online platform designed specifically for delivering EMDR therapy virtually. It allows us to use visual bilateral stimulation in a structured, controlled way during telehealth sessions. You remain fully present and in control throughout the process, and we can pause or adjust at any point.

As the memory is processed, the emotional intensity typically decreases and the way you relate to the experience begins to shift. Later phases focus on reinforcing more adaptive beliefs, noticing changes in emotional or physical responses, and making sure the work feels integrated and complete.

Virtual EMDR can be just as effective as in-person work, and many clients appreciate being able to engage in this process from their own space while still receiving the same level of structure and care.

Work with me virtually in Illinois, Florida & Michigan

What are virtual EMDR sessions like?

I provide virtual therapy for adults in the Chicago area and across Illinois. I am also licensed to offer virtual therapy to clients located in Michigan and Florida. Telehealth allows you to attend sessions from your own space without adding more to your schedule or commute.

If you are located in Illinois, you can use insurance or choose private pay. For clients in Florida and Michigan, services are offered through private pay. I also provide superbills for clients who wish to use out-of-network benefits.

EMDR can be helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma, whether that trauma stems from a single event or from repeated experiences that built up over time. These experiences do not have to be extreme or dramatic to have an impact. What matters is how they were processed and whether they continue to influence emotional responses or patterns today.

EMDR is most commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the same time, not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Unresolved trauma can still contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, emotional reactivity, or difficulties in relationships. In these cases, EMDR can be effective even when someone does not identify with a trauma-related diagnosis.

EMDR may be a good option when past experiences continue to shape present-day distress and can be used alongside other evidence-based modalities such as CBT or DBT.

What is EMDR used to treat?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. At its core, it is a therapy that helps your brain properly process difficult experiences that still feel emotionally intense or “stuck.”

When something stressful or overwhelming happens, your brain is supposed to sort through it and file it away as a past event. Sometimes that process does not fully happen. The memory gets stored in a way that keeps the emotions, body reactions, and negative beliefs attached to it. That is why you can logically know something is over, but still react strongly to reminders of it.

During EMDR, we briefly bring up parts of a memory while using simple back-and-forth stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating tapping. This helps your brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less emotionally charged. You do not forget what happened. It just starts to feel like something in the past instead of something your body is still reacting to in the present.

EMDR is a structured, research-supported treatment for trauma and has strong evidence behind it. It is not hypnosis, and you remain fully aware and in control the entire time. The goal is to reduce the emotional intensity tied to past experiences so they no longer drive anxiety, overreactions, or old patterns in your life today.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR Therapy