EMDR Therapy for Teens in Chicago and Across Illinois
For teens who have a lot on their minds.
Growing up in today’s world can feel especially overwhelming.
The pressures of school, friendships, dating, family, sports, college prep, and figuring out who you are can be a lot to deal with. All of this while also navigating social media, constant news, political uncertainty, and concerns about the future are pressures that previous generations didn't have to deal with.
And sometimes something happens that makes everything feel even harder.
Or maybe you don't even know exactly what's wrong. You just know that you feel like something isn’t right.
EMDR therapy can help.
Brianna Zielke, JD, LCSW is an experienced EMDR therapist for teens in Chicago and throughout Illinois. She specializes in working with teens to help them understand what's happening inside their heads and feel more in control. Working with Brianna will help you develop practical ways to handle stress and anxiety.
And importantly, you don't have to spend years in therapy when you choose EMDR.
If you don't really want to go to therapy, you're not alone.
A lot of teenagers don't want to see a therapist.
Maybe your parents suggested it. Maybe they insisted. Maybe you think talking to a stranger about your problems sounds awkward or pointless.
Brianna’s goal isn't to force you to sit on a couch and talk about your feelings for an hour every week.
EMDR therapy for teenagers is different. Brianna is different.
Meet Brianna Zielke
Brianna Zielke, JD, LCSW is the founder of EMDR Group of Chicago and an experienced EMDR therapist who genuinely loves working with teenagers.
Brianna's approach is collaborative and direct. She believes teens deserve to be taken seriously and treated with respect. She’ll listen to understand what you're dealing with and what you want to change so your time with her will actually make therapy useful to you.
As a mom of teens, and through working with many teens, she understands the specific challenges you are facing and can teach you this super effective method for coping.
Most importantly, she doesn't expect you to fit into what therapy is “supposed” to look like. She meets you where you are.
In-person EMDR appointments take place at 3838 N Ravenswood Ave. #254 in Chicago.
What are teens dealing with right now?
Teenagers are carrying a lot.
You might be worried about:
Grades or getting into college
Friendships, dating, and social pressure
Bullying or feeling left out
Social media and comparing yourself to others
Loneliness, even when you're constantly connected
Political instability or frightening news
Immigration raids or fears about family members
Artificial intelligence and what it means for your future
Sexual assault
Pressure to use drugs or alcohol
A breakup or painful relationship
A frightening or embarrassing experience you can't stop replaying
Anxiety or anger that seems to come out of nowhere
You don't have to have a diagnosis or have experienced a major traumatic event for therapy to be helpful.
How can EMDR help a teenager?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories or experiences that continue to impact your thoughts.
When something upsetting happens, your brain doesn't always fully process the event. Sometimes the memory can stay stuck, causing you to continuously reexperience the fear, shame, anger, helplessness, or anxiety you felt when it happened.
EMDR helps you let go of this, so the memories no longer have an emotional hold on you.
For teens, EMDR may be helpful when anxiety or stress are connected to:
Trauma or frightening experiences
Bullying or social rejection
Assault or abuse
Family conflict
Loss or grief
Medical experiences
Phobias and fears
Panic
Social anxiety
Difficult memories
Chronic stress
Negative beliefs about yourself
Experiences that continue to feel upsetting long after they happened
Two Important Distinctions of EMDR for Teens Versus Other Therapy
1 You don't have to talk about everything.
One reason some teens are hesitant about therapy is the idea of having to explain every detail of their life to a therapist.
EMDR doesn't necessarily work that way.
You don't have to tell Brianna every detail of something that happened in order for EMDR to be useful. The work focuses on helping your brain process what is still bothering you.
You and Brianna will decide together what you want to work on and how much you are comfortable sharing.
2 You’ll learn skills you can actually use.
EMDR isn't only about processing things that happened in the past.
Part of therapy can involve learning ways to manage stress and regulate your nervous system so you have tools you can use throughout your life.
The goal isn't to make life perfect. It's to help you feel more capable in handling the imperfections.
You can't control everything happening in the world. You can't control what other people say, what shows up on your phone, what happens at school, or what the future looks like.
But you can learn how to respond when your stress system gets activated.
Find Relief from Feelings You Can’t Explain
In-person Therapy in Chicago or Virtual Therapy in Illinois
For parents: What if my teenager doesn't want therapy?
This is very common.
You may know your teen needs help and they may strongly disagree.
Brianna knows from experience in her practice and from being a mom of teens that therapy is more productive when a teenager has ownership in the process. She will create a relationship where your teen feels respected and heard.
Parents are an important part of a teenager's treatment, supporting them as they work through difficult memories or trauma. Your teen also needs space to develop a trusting relationship with their therapist.
Depending on the circumstances, Brianna may want to understand your concerns to get a full view of your teens current state. However, privacy and independence within therapy will be an important part of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy for Teens
What is EMDR therapy for teens?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that supports people as they reprocess distressing experiences and memories. EMDR therapy can be particularly helpful for teens who are experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma symptoms, panic, or distress related to difficult experiences.
EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy because teens do not necessarily have to spend every session talking extensively about what happened. Instead, EMDR uses a structured teen trauma therapy to help the brain process experiences that still feel upsetting or overwhelming.
Can teenagers do EMDR therapy?
Yes. EMDR can be used with people of all ages. The approach is adapted to the teen's developmental level and unique needs.
At EMDR Group of Chicago, Brianna works with motivated teens and focuses on creating a therapy experience where they feel respected and heard. The teen will be involved in developing their treatment plan.
Is EMDR therapy safe for teens?
EMDR can be an appropriate treatment for teens when it is provided by a properly trained mental health professional who has experience working with adolescents. Treatment should be tailored to the individual teen and their circumstances.
Before beginning EMDR, Brianna will evaluate whether it is appropriate and make sure the teen has the support and coping skills needed to participate safely in the process.
How long does EMDR therapy take?
EMDR can be helpful for teens whose anxiety is connected to traumatic or distressing experiences, fears, negative beliefs, or situations that continue to trigger a strong stress response. Research on EMDR for children and adolescents is strongest for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms, while research on EMDR specifically for adolescent anxiety is still developing.
Brianna will work with each teen to determine whether EMDR is an appropriate approach based on their symptoms and goals.
How many EMDR sessions does a teenager need?
There is no standard number of EMDR sessions for any individual. The length of treatment depends on what the person is experiencing and what their treatment goals are. How they individually respond to therapy will help determine the number of sessions needed.
EMDR can be used as a focused treatment, and some teens may see meaningful improvement in a relatively short period of time. However, every person is different, and some teens may need several sessions to experience relief.
What if my teen doesn't want therapy?
This is a common concern. Many teenagers are reluctant to see a therapist, particularly when a parent has encouraged or required them to seek help.
Brianna believes therapy works best when teens have a sense of ownership over the process. She takes time to build trust and understand the teen's perspective.
Brianna can help families determine whether EMDR is a good fit and what approach may be most appropriate.
Can parents be involved in teen EMDR therapy?
Yes. Parents or guardians can be an important part of a teenager's treatment. At the same time, teens need an appropriate level of privacy so they can develop a trusting relationship with their therapist.
Brianna works with parents and teens to establish appropriate boundaries around confidentiality and parental involvement. Parents may provide important background information and support their teen's treatment while allowing the teen space to participate openly in therapy.
Can teens do EMDR therapy online?
Online EMDR therapy may be appropriate for some teens, depending on their age, circumstances, treatment needs, and Brianna's clinical assessment.
EMDR Group of Chicago offers online therapy to clients throughout Illinois. Brianna can determine whether virtual EMDR is an appropriate option during the initial evaluation.
Does EMDR work for panic attacks in teenagers?
EMDR may be helpful for teens experiencing panic when their symptoms are connected to distressing experiences, trauma, fears, or triggers. EMDR is most strongly supported by research for trauma and PTSD, while research specifically for adolescent panic and anxiety is more limited.
Brianna will evaluate what may be contributing to a teen's panic symptoms and determine whether EMDR or another therapeutic approach is most appropriate.
Can EMDR help with bullying?
EMDR may help teens process the emotional impact of bullying, particularly when bullying has resulted in persistent fear, shame, anxiety, negative beliefs about themselves, or distressing memories.
EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity associated with the experience and address beliefs that may have developed as a result.
Can EMDR help after an assault?
EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD and may be appropriate for teens who have experienced an assault. It can help process distressing memories and reduce symptoms of fear and anxiety.
Brianna will first make sure the teen has appropriate support and is ready for trauma-focused treatment. The pace and approach will be individualized to the teen's needs.