EMDR Therapy Chicago
with Certified EMDR Therapist Dr. Corrie Goldberg (In-Person & Online)
EMDR Therapy Chicago for Anxiety, PTSD, Burnout, Depression, and More
You’re tired of having the same fights over and over. Your spouse is too, but there are just things that they say; things that they do (or don’t do) that get under your skin. Tonight, it was about the dishwasher needing repairs. It should have been a simple conversation but before you know it you’re losing it about being taken for granted and never supported; lashing out because there is absolutely no way that you are going to let yourself get walked all over, and it’s infuriating that the responsibility for everything falls on you all the time.
You Feel Overwhelmed, Trapped, and Abandoned
You feel trapped and like you have nobody you can count on. You remember that same feeling when you first got married and it was up to you to work and manage the house while they finished grad school; it was right around when your mom was sick, and then she died. You know that was a long time ago, but sometimes it comes flooding back. You tense up and your head aches; it’s like it’s all on you, and you can’t get help, and it’s too much, and you can’t do it all…..UGH!!!
Your Brain Knows the Difference, but Your Body and Emotions Don’t
You know that this isn’t the same. This is just a dishwasher. Logically, you get that you have support and that you aren’t responsible for everything. Somehow though when you’re in the moment, it’s like you just forget all that and you’re right back to 20 years ago feeling overwhelmed, abandoned, and so angry. You go right into fight mode, or sometimes you just want to leave. You don’t understand why, and you can’t seem to stop it from happening.
Imagine a Different Way Forward
You wonder if there will ever be a time when you can release yourself from the pain and that instinct of needing to protect yourself. You know that you can’t undo the past, but you wish that you could convince yourself that the past was a memory and not a warning. What if you could finally let the past be the past; no longer haunting you, no longer shaping every reaction? What if instead of bracing for the worst, you felt calm and secure in your body? What if everyday stressors felt manageable instead of overwhelming; if you could just talk about fixing a broken dishwasher like it was no big deal? Imagine what it would be like if you not only trusted, but really felt secure, accepted, and supported in your relationships, without the constant undercurrent of old wounds.
This is the transformation that EMDR therapy makes possible. Instead of talking endlessly about what happened, EMDR allows your brain and body to reprocess stuck memories so they no longer trigger the same emotional storms. Clients often describe EMDR as finally being able to “let the past be the past,” freeing them to respond with calm and clarity in the present.
Many people searching for EMDR therapy in Chicago are looking for a way to move beyond patterns like these; reactions that feel automatic, overwhelming, and rooted in experiences from the past rather than what is actually happening in the present.
Certified EMDR Therapist Chicago and Across the U.S. with Online EMDR Therapy
I’m Corrie Goldberg, Ph.D. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive additional training and EMDR certification from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). I understand that sometimes our past experiences get stuck in our minds and in our bodies, only to come rushing back when moments in our present life spark connections to those painful events.
I provide in-office EMDR therapy in Evanston, serving clients in Chicago and across the North Shore as well as individuals working with me through secure online EMDR therapy.
I’ve worked with many people who know how it feels to rationally recognize that the past is behind them, yet still become overwhelmed by emotions, physical sensations, and reactions that they can't always predict, don't understand, and struggle to control. I get that traditional talk therapy is a valuable tool, but sometimes you don’t have the words to describe your experience, or can’t figure out the triggers or connections between your feelings, your body, and your reactions well enough to fully explain or talk about them.
What is EMDR Therapy and How Does EMDR Work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy) is an evidence-based therapy originally developed for trauma and PTSD. Today, EMDR is also widely used to treat anxiety, depression, panic, phobias, grief, and burnout.
This breakthrough therapeutic technique focuses on restoring a sense of calm to your body and completing the processing of stuck, painful, and traumatic memories and experiences, so that you don’t keep reliving them; all without requiring you to talk your way through them. During our EMDR therapy work together, I can guide you to help your brain and body explore complex neurological connections between your past experiences and your present thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; showing you the way to rapid and powerful shifts in awareness that can lead to insights, enhanced feelings of worth, safety, and empowerment; and ultimately to positive changes.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t rely only on words. Instead, it uses a structured process with bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or tones) to help your brain reprocess and “re-file” traumatic or overwhelming experiences. While it may sound simple, this technique activates your brain’s natural healing ability; similar to what happens during REM sleep. By safely revisiting difficult memories in this state, your brain “re-files” them so they are no longer overwhelming.
Through this process, your brain is able to recognize: That was then. This is now. People often report that following EMDR therapy, they are able to let go of destructive behavior patterns and are no longer overwhelmed by physical sensations or emotions such as panic, anxiety, anger, or fear.
How EMDR Therapy Works: The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
There are 8 phases of EMDR therapy:
History & Treatment Planning – We explore your story, goals, and needs.
Preparation – We build trust and establish grounding tools so you feel safe.
Assessment – Together, we identify specific memories, triggers, or themes that continue to affect you.
Desensitization – Using bilateral stimulation, we process the memory while you notice any thoughts, feelings, or body sensations.
Installation – We strengthen positive beliefs that replace old, negative ones.
Body Scan – We check for residual tension or distress.
Closure – Each session ends with grounding so you feel stable and calm.
Reevaluation – We revisit progress and refine goals for ongoing work.
This process allows your nervous system to complete what was left unfinished. Painful memories stop feeling like current threats and settle into the past, where they belong.
Learn More About EMDR Therapy
If you're researching EMDR therapy in Chicago, you may find these in-depth guides helpful:
• Complete Guide to EMDR Therapy Chicago – an overview of how EMDR works, what sessions are like, and how to find the right therapist
• What Is EMDR Therapy? – a deeper explanation of the science and neurobiology behind EMDR
• What to Expect During EMDR Therapy – a step-by-step look at how EMDR therapy unfolds during treatment and the 8 phases of EMDR therapy
Why EMDR Therapy May Work When Talk Therapy Doesn’t
Many people who come to me have already tried talk therapy. They’ve gained insight, developed coping skills, and yet…the same reactions keep coming back.
Talk therapy is powerful, but sometimes the deepest wounds aren’t accessible through words alone. Trauma can live in the body and nervous system in ways that are difficult, or even impossible, to articulate. You may struggle to explain what’s happening, or you might not even remember the full story; just the overwhelming feelings.
That doesn’t mean EMDR therapy excludes talking. Far from it. In EMDR sessions, we talk about the insights you notice, the shifts you feel, and the ways you’re changing. But EMDR also goes beyond words, allowing your neurobiology to heal experiences you:
Don’t have words for
Struggle to talk about
Don’t consciously recognize as significant
With EMDR therapy, you don’t have to retell every painful detail. Instead, the process helps your nervous system complete what was left unfinished, so the memory becomes just a memory; not a constant trigger. This is why EMDR can feel so different, and so effective, when other therapies have only gone so far.
What Conditions Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective for:
PTSD and complex trauma
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and low self-worth
Grief and loss
Burnout and caregiver stress
Birth trauma and fertility struggles
Phobias and fears
Chronic stress and body tension
Oppression-related trauma (LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, or marginalized identities)
And countless other struggles and symptoms
Whether you’re looking for EMDR therapy in Chicago, along the North Shore, or EMDR therapy online, the focus is always on helping you feel calmer, safer, and more empowered in your daily life.
EMDR Therapy Chicago or Online: Which Is Right for You?
Many people searching for “EMDR therapy Chicago” or “EMDR therapist Chicago,” are looking for a therapist who understands the unique pressures of life in a fast-paced city or the high achievement-focused Chicago suburbs; the stress of demanding careers, parenting, relationships, and the cumulative impact of unresolved trauma or chronic stress. My Evanston office serves adults and young adults from Chicago, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, and communities throughout the North Shore. Whether you prefer in-person EMDR therapy near Chicago or the convenience of secure online EMDR sessions, the focus of our work is the same: helping your nervous system release the past so you can move through your present life with greater calm, clarity, and confidence.
If you are not local, or if you prefer the flexibility of telehealth, I also provide EMDR therapy online. As a certified PSYPACT psychologist, I am licensed to provide EMDR therapy online via telehealth to people living, working, or traveling in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Online EMDR can be just as effective and transformative as in-person therapy, making it EMDR therapy accessible no matter where you live.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Clients who complete EMDR therapy often report:
Less anxiety and panic
Reduced emotional reactivity in relationships
Decreased body tension and stress
More restful sleep
Greater ability to stay in the present moment
Improved self-worth and confidence
Freedom from reliving trauma again and again
Why Choose Dr. Corrie Goldberg for EMDR Therapy in Chicago
Finding the right EMDR therapist is an important part of the healing process. In addition to being a licensed clinical psychologist, I am a certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA, the professional organization that sets the highest standards for EMDR training and competency.
My practice focuses on helping thoughtful adults and parents process trauma, chronic stress, burnout, and anxiety using neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-trained approaches. Many of the people I work with are high-achieving professionals or caregivers who appear successful on the outside while quietly carrying unresolved stress, trauma, or emotional exhaustion.
I provide EMDR therapy in Evanston serving Chicago and the North Shore, as well as online EMDR therapy for clients across many U.S. states through PSYPACT, allowing you to access specialized trauma therapy wherever you are.
EMDR Therapy Chicago FAQs
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EMDR therapy is a brain and body-based treatment approach to support processing of “Big T” and “Little T” traumas, complex trauma, and CPTSD. Take a deeper dive for more information about what is EMDR therapy and how does EMDR work.
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Not all therapists who offer EMDR are fully certified. Some complete only a basic training and begin practicing.
As a certified EMDR therapist, I have:
Completed extensive advanced training through EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association)
Demonstrated competency through clinical hours and consultation with senior EMDR consultants
Committed to meeting ongoing continuing education requirements for as long as I maintain my status as an EMDR certified therapist.
This certification means you can trust that you’re working with someone who has deep expertise in EMDR and extensive EMDR therapy experience.
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Yes, EMDR therapy online can be just as effective as in-person therapy. Virtual sessions use secure video platforms, and bilateral stimulation can be done through screen-based eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.
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EMDR may not be appropriate for people who are actively unstable, experiencing unmanaged psychosis, or lacking coping skills. Part of our work together is ensuring you feel safe and prepared before processing trauma.
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Some people feel temporarily tired, emotional, or unsettled after a session as the brain continues processing. This usually passes quickly, and most clients describe it as part of the healing process.
This underscores the importance of phase 2 of the 8 phases listed above; and why we will work together to make sure that you have the ability and skills to monitor and support your nervous system so that you can stay grounded and regulated throughout active processing and in between sessions.
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Fees vary depending on the provider, but should be the standard fee from that provider for a therapy session of comparable length.
At Shore Therapy, EMDR session fees are the same as all other therapy session fees, and can be submitted to your insurance provider for reimbursement through your out-of-network insurance benefits.
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Insurance companies typically cover EMDR, but coverage varies based on the parameters of your insurance plan. I will provide a superbill that you can use to seek reimbursement from your insurance through your out-of-network benefits.
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The length depends on your history and goals, as well as the complexity of the issues being addressed. Some clients may start to notice significant shifts in just a few sessions of active EMDR processing, however, more deeply ingrained or complex trauma often benefits from longer-term work.
Start EMDR Therapy in Chicago or Online
You don’t have to stay trapped in the cycle of reliving the past. It’s time to get unstuck from the memories and responses of your past so that you can feel better and be more effective in your present and future. Whether you are in Chicago, along the North Shore of Chicago; across Illinois, or in many other states across the country, we can work together in the Shore Therapy Evanston office or through online therapy. Contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss EMDR therapy in Chicago or online therapy and how EMDR might be helpful for you. I specialize in EMDR therapy for stress and anxiety; fertility, pregnancy, and birth trauma; parent burnout and caregiver burnout; oppression as an LGBT, neurodivergent, or otherwise marginalized person; and other single-incident or complex trauma and PTSD. If you would like to read more about EMDR therapy and trauma, find more information here.