Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Kenosha, Racine & Silver Lake, Wisconsin

Sometimes an experience ends, but the emotional response to it does not.

Distressing memories may continue to trigger fear, anxiety, physical reactions, intrusive thoughts, nightmares or a sense that you are reliving something that happened in the past.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing and traumatic memories.

At Pillar Health and Kenosha Community Health Center (KCHC), trained behavioral health professionals may use EMDR as part of individualized treatment for patients in Kenosha, Racine, Silver Lake and throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a structured psychotherapy approach that helps patients process memories and experiences that continue to cause emotional distress.

When a disturbing experience has not been fully processed, reminders of it may continue to activate thoughts, emotions, beliefs or physical sensations associated with the original event.

EMDR is designed to help the brain process that information so the memory can remain part of your history without continuing to create the same level of distress in the present.

EMDR does not erase memories or make you forget what happened. The goal is to change the way distressing memories are processed and experienced.

EMDR is particularly well known as a treatment for trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Depending on an individual’s needs and a therapist’s clinical assessment, EMDR may also be used when distressing experiences contribute to concerns such as:

  • PTSD
  • Trauma-related symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Panic
  • Distressing or intrusive memories
  • Certain fears or phobias
  • El duelo y la pérdida
  • Negative beliefs connected to past experiences
  • Emotional responses to difficult life experiences

Not everyone experiencing these concerns will need EMDR. Your therapist will assess your history, current symptoms, readiness and treatment goals before determining whether EMDR is appropriate.

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The Eight Phases of EMDR

EMDR is commonly organized into eight phases.

Your therapist learns about your concerns, history, symptoms and treatment goals and identifies experiences that may be appropriate to address.

Before processing difficult material, your therapist helps establish trust and teaches strategies that can help you manage emotional responses during and between sessions.

You and your therapist identify specific components associated with a target memory, which may include images, beliefs, emotions and physical sensations.

You briefly focus on the targeted material while participating in bilateral stimulation as directed by your therapist.

Treatment works toward strengthening a more adaptive or constructive belief associated with the experience.

Your therapist may ask you to notice whether physical tension or distress remains when thinking about the experience.

Sessions conclude in a way designed to help you return to emotional stability, whether or not processing of a particular memory is complete.

At future appointments, you and your therapist assess progress and determine what needs additional attention.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR follows a structured treatment process.

A therapist first works with you to understand your history, identify treatment goals and establish strategies for managing emotional distress.

During later phases of treatment, you may briefly focus on aspects of a distressing memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation.

Bilateral stimulation alternates attention between the two sides of the body. Eye movements are one commonly recognized form, although other techniques may be used by appropriately trained clinicians.

The process is designed to support the processing of distressing experiences and help reduce the intensity associated with certain memories.

Do I Have to Describe My Trauma in Detail?

One reason some patients are interested in EMDR is that it does not necessarily require describing every detail of a traumatic experience aloud.

Your therapist needs enough information to understand your needs and provide safe, appropriate care, but EMDR differs from forms of therapy that may involve recounting a traumatic event in extensive detail.

You remain an active participant in the process, and treatment should proceed at a clinically appropriate pace.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

For appropriate patients, EMDR may help:

  • Reduce distress associated with traumatic memories
  • Decrease trauma-related symptoms
  • Change negative beliefs connected to past experiences
  • Reduce emotional reactivity to reminders or triggers
  • Improve the ability to think about past experiences without becoming overwhelmed
  • Address physical sensations associated with distressing memories
  • Support recovery from PTSD and trauma

EMDR is not about pretending an experience did not happen. The goal is to help the experience become something you can remember without continually responding as though it is happening again.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

You may want to discuss EMDR with a therapist if:

  • A past experience continues to feel emotionally present
  • Memories trigger strong emotional or physical reactions
  • You experience intrusive memories or nightmares
  • Certain reminders cause intense fear or distress
  • You avoid people, places or situations associated with an experience
  • Negative beliefs about yourself developed after a traumatic or distressing event
  • Previous coping strategies have not provided enough relief

EMDR is not automatically appropriate for everyone who has experienced trauma. A trained therapist can help determine whether EMDR, another form of trauma therapy or a combination of approaches is most appropriate.

EMDR Therapy in Kenosha, Racine, Silver Lake & Southeast Wisconsin

Pillar Health and KCHC provide trauma-informed behavioral health care throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

Our behavioral health team includes professionals with diverse training who use evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy and other integrative modalities.

Behavioral health services are available in Kenosha, Racine and Silver Lake, with telehealth options available for eligible patients throughout Wisconsin.

Because EMDR requires specialized training, provider availability may vary. When requesting an appointment, let our team know you are specifically interested in EMDR therapy.

Preguntas frecuentes

Yes. EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach and is particularly well established in the treatment of PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.

No. EMDR is not hypnosis. You remain awake, aware and engaged throughout treatment.

No. EMDR does not erase memories. Treatment is intended to reduce the emotional distress associated with them and help you process those experiences differently.

EMDR involves engaging with distressing memories, but you do not necessarily have to describe an experience in extensive detail. Preparation, emotional safety and your ability to tolerate the work are important parts of treatment.

There is no universal number. Treatment length depends on factors such as your history, symptoms, treatment goals, complexity of the experiences being addressed and response to therapy.

Because EMDR requires specialized training, availability may depend on the provider. When requesting an appointment, tell our team that you are specifically interested in EMDR so we can discuss current provider availability.

No referral is required to request a behavioral health appointment at Pillar Health or KCHC.

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If trauma or distressing past experiences continue to affect how you think, feel or respond today, EMDR therapy may be an option to help you process those experiences and reduce their impact.

Taking the first step toward better mental health starts with a conversation. Our behavioral health team can help determine whether EMDR or another evidence-based therapy is appropriate for your individual needs.

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Solicita una cita ahora o llama al local que te resulte más conveniente:

  • Clínica Pillar Health de Kenosha: (262) 771-1700
  • Clínica de la 22 Avenida de Kenosha: (262) 771-0070
  • Clínica de la 14 Avenida de Kenosha: (262) 771-1688
  • Clínica de la calle 2 Silver Lake: (262) 771-1963
  • Clínica Pillar Health de Racine: (262) 771-0035
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