Trauma Therapy in Peoria, IL
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Peoria
What is EMDR?
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic memories by focusing on the disturbing event while simultaneously engaging in a bilateral stimulation like rapid eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This allows the brain to naturally reprocess the memory and reduce the level of emotional intensity, ultimately leading to a less distressing experience of the trauma.
Life Balancing Counseling Peoria believes in the power of healing and restoration of health, harmony, and integrity in your life.
EMDR is very effective with “Everyday” distressing memories that are underneath the problem people have including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, out of control feelings, and many other problems people bring to therapy. EMDR is widely considered effective for treating symptoms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), helping you to process through upsetting memories, thoughts, and feelings connected to your traumatic experiences.
Free yourself from your trauma
EMDR is an evidenced-based practice accepted as a treatment of choice by numerous trauma organizations.
The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Practice Guidelines have placed EMDR in their highest category, recommended for all trauma populations at all times.
The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline (2004) has stated that EMDR is recommended as first-line treatment of trauma.
The national registry (NREPP) of The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cites EMDR as evidence-based practice for treatment of PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms, leading to an improvement in overall mental health functioning.
EMDR has a broad base of published case reports and controlled research that supports it as an empirically validated treatment of trauma.
EMDR allows individuals to rapidly process through and heal from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences. EMDR is designed to reduce trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to improve overall mental health functioning.
The GOOD NEWS is that EMDR is widely considered effective for treating symptoms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma Therapy FAQs
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Traumatic experiences can occur throughout one’s life from childhood to aging adults. Trauma experiences can include:
Life-threatening situations
Physical attacks
Sexual assaults
Car accidents
Military service
Death of a loved one
Abuse from a parent, guardian, or loved one
Bullying
Prolonged illnesses, etc.
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Our skilled team will create a treatment plan designed just for you with interventions from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), family of origin work, and psycho-education.
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Studies have shown that 84–90% of people with a single trauma no longer have PTSD after three EMDR sessions. In one study, 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer had PTSD after six sessions. People often report a significant reduction in flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. EMDR can help reduce triggers associated with traumatic events.
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As with any form of psychotherapy, there may be a temporary increase in distress.
Distressing and unresolved memories may emerge
Some clients may experience reactions during a treatment session that neither they nor the administering clinician may have anticipated, including a high level of emotion or physical sensations
Subsequent to the treatment session, the processing of incidents/material may continue, and other dreams, memories feelings, etc., may emerge.
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Alan Moreland, LMFT, CSAT-Supervisor, CMAT-Financial Disorders & Tech Addiction, EMDR Certified, & ERCEM CSAT-Candidate, EMDR Trained, & ERCEM Trained (Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model)
As a Marriage & Family Therapist, Alan has worked with sex/porn addicts, betrayed partners, and couples for over a decade. Alan brings a rare mix of direct yet compassionate care
Alan became a CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist), through the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP), with Patrick Carnes, Rob Weiss, Ken Adams, and other leaders in the field of sex addiction treatment.
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Samar Barlota, LCPC, EMDR Trained
Samar Barlota is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in trauma recovery and relational healing. She has extensive experience helping individuals and couples process past experiences, overcome emotional pain, and build healthier connections.
Samar is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a highly effective approach for addressing trauma, anxiety, and difficult memories. Using EMDR, she helps clients safely process traumatic experiences, reduce emotional distress, and develop resilience while supporting them in applying these insights to their relationships and daily life.
She works with clients navigating a wide range of challenges, including trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and relational conflict. Samar’s approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s unique needs, providing a safe space for healing and growth.
Call today to schedule a session and begin your journey toward emotional recovery and stronger relationships.
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Josh Williamson, LCPC, EMDR Trained
Josh is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with well over 15 years of counseling experience.
Josh’s diverse working with people who are having personal struggles that are common in life’s journey: addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, anger management problems, parenting issues, and with kids, adults and families involved
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Melissa McAuley, LSW, CSAT-Candidate, EMDR Trained, APSATS Multidimensional Partners Treatment Model (MPTM), & ERCEM (Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model) Trained
Melissa cut her teeth as a Social Worker working in alcohol/drug addiction treatment center for several years. Since 2023, She has specialized in working with sex/porn addiction, betrayed partners of sex addicts, as well as substance abuse and drug addiction.
Melissa is nearing completion CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist), training through the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP). In 2024, She completed the APSATS (Association of Partners of Sex Addiction Trauma Specialists) training to learn to incorporate the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model into her work with betrayed partners of sex and porn addicts. Likewise in 2023, she completed the ERCEM (Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model) to help Sex Addicts develop empathy for their betrayed spouses and do so early in recovery.
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Leslie "Les" Perrera, AMFT, CSAT-Candidate, EMDR Trained, & ERCEM (Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model) Trained
Les is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist. Les specializes in working with sex/porn addiction, substance abuse, trauma, as well as couples.
Les is nearing completion of the rigorous CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist), training through the International Institute of Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP). In 2023, he completed the ERCEM (Early Recovery Couples Empathy Model) to help Sex Addicts develop empathy for their betrayed spouses and do so early in recovery.
Contact us.
Life Balance Counseling Peoria will provide you with a timely call/text/email back to discuss further your needs in therapy and whether we are a good fit for what you are looking for.
We have included several ways to contact us. Please give us a call, send an email, or simply fill out the form on this page. We are looking forward to speaking with you.
email: scheduling@lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com
Office: (309)676-0538