Trauma-informed counseling and EMDR therapy
Healing from trauma, at a pace your body can trust.
You decide what we talk about, how fast we go, and when we pause. I'm Iva, a Chicago-based counselor offering telehealth to adults across Illinois and California who are ready to feel safer in their own lives.
LCPC (Illinois) · LPCC (California) · [EMDR training / EMDRIA certification — edit to match] · Telehealth
What you can expect from the start
Your pace
We build steadiness and trust before any trauma work begins.
Your choice
You can say no, pause, or change direction at any point.
Your story, your terms
You never have to share more than you want to.
You may be here because…
Trauma doesn't always look the way people expect. It can live in the body, in relationships, and in the way you move through an ordinary day.
These are common responses to things that happened to you. They are not signs that something is wrong with you.
My approach
What “trauma-informed” means in my practice
Trauma-informed care isn't a technique. It's a way of working that starts from one question: not “what's wrong with you?” but “what happened to you?” Everything about how I work follows from that.
Safety first
We build a sense of safety, in the room and in your body, before any trauma processing begins.
Real choice
Nothing happens without your consent. You can pause, slow down, or say no at any time, and I'll respect it.
Collaboration
We set goals together. You're the expert on your own life, and I'm here to bring tools and steady support.
Transparency
I explain what we're doing and why before we do it, so nothing catches you off guard.
Empowerment
The goal isn't only fewer symptoms. It's feeling your own strength and agency again.
Respect for who you are
Culture, identity, and life context shape how trauma is lived and how healing happens. I'm an LGBTQIA ally, I welcome polyamorous and non-monogamous clients, and I offer sessions in English and Serbian.
EMDR therapy
Working with painful memories without having to retell every detail
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy for trauma. While you briefly hold a difficult memory in mind, we use gentle bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or tones, to help your brain reprocess it. Over time, the memory tends to feel less charged and more like something that belongs to the past.
EMDR is supported by research as a treatment for PTSD and trauma-related distress, and it doesn't require you to talk through everything in detail. It is not hypnosis, and you stay aware and in control throughout.
Every person's experience is different. I can't promise a specific result or timeline, but I can promise to go at a pace that keeps you steady.
The eight phases, in plain language
History and planning
We talk about what brought you here and what you want to change, and decide together where to start.
Preparation
You learn how EMDR works and build calming and grounding skills, so you have tools before we go further.
Assessment
Together we choose a memory to work on and notice how it shows up in your thoughts and body.
Desensitization
Using bilateral stimulation, you notice whatever comes up while the memory loses some of its intensity.
Installation
We strengthen a more supportive belief about yourself, one that fits who you are today.
Body scan
We check for any leftover tension or sensation in the body and work with it gently.
Closure
Every session ends with grounding, so you leave feeling steady, whether or not the memory is finished.
Re-evaluation
At the next session we check in on what has changed and decide what comes next.
Much of our early time together is spent in phases one and two. That isn't a detour. Preparation is what makes the deeper work safe, and we only move forward when you feel ready.
Getting started can be small
Reaching out is often the hardest part. Here's what the first steps look like.
Step one
A short consultation
A free 15-minute consultation. You can ask questions, tell me as little or as much as you like, and see whether we feel like a good fit.
Step two
Getting to know you
In our first sessions we talk about your history, strengths, and goals. We don't dive into the hardest memories. We start with what you need in order to feel safe.
Step three
Building your toolkit
We practice grounding and calming skills until they feel reliable. Only then, and only if you choose, do we begin processing with EMDR.
Who I work with
I work with adults healing from [childhood trauma, sexual assault, domestic violence, complex trauma, PTSD, loss — edit to match your practice]. If you're not sure your experience “counts” as trauma, you're welcome to reach out anyway.
Trauma-informed individual counseling
Steady, collaborative support for understanding how trauma has shaped you, building skills, and rebuilding trust in yourself and others. My approach is trauma-sensitive, somatic, and holistic.
EMDR therapy
Focused reprocessing of distressing memories, offered once you're prepared and when it's a good fit for your needs. [Add session length and format.]
[Optional: another service]
[Add anything else you offer, or delete this card.]
About me
Hi, I'm Iva
I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois and a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in California, based in Chicago. [Add your years of experience and, in your own words, why you do this work and what clients can expect from you as a person.]
I completed my EMDR training through [EMDRIA-approved program] and [hold / am working toward] EMDRIA certification. [Edit to match your actual credentials.] I also bring training in [other approaches you use, e.g. somatic, parts-based, or attachment-informed work].
My promise to you is simple: I will move at your pace, explain what I'm doing, and treat you as the expert on your own life.
Practical details
Sessions
Telehealth sessions for clients in Illinois and California. [Session length and frequency]
Fees
[Your fee per session, sliding scale or reduced-fee options if offered]
Insurance
[Plans you accept, or out-of-network and superbill information]
Availability
Monday to Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. [Confirm whether you are accepting new clients]
Questions you might have
Will I have to relive my trauma?
No. EMDR doesn't require you to retell every detail, and we don't begin processing until you have steady ways to ground yourself. Some distress during or after sessions is possible, and we plan for it together. You can slow down or stop whenever you need to.
Do I have to tell you everything that happened?
No. You choose what to share and when. Many people find they can make real progress without going through the whole story.
How long will therapy take?
It depends on your history, your goals, and how much preparation you need. A single event is often shorter work than long-standing or complex trauma. We'll check in on progress regularly, and I won't promise a timeline I can't know.
Is EMDR right for everyone?
Not necessarily. In our early sessions we'll look at whether EMDR fits your needs and readiness. If it doesn't, or you'd rather not, we'll use other trauma-informed approaches. [Add other approaches you offer.]
Can we do EMDR online?
Yes. I offer EMDR through secure telehealth to clients located in Illinois and California.
What if I feel overwhelmed between sessions?
We build grounding and coping skills first and make a plan together for the time between sessions. [Add how clients can reach you between sessions, if at all.] If you are ever in crisis, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes, within the limits of the law and professional ethics. I'll explain those limits clearly at the start so you know exactly where you stand. [Link to your privacy practices.]
Take the first step, whenever you're ready
You don't need to explain everything or be sure of what you need. Send a message or call, and we'll figure out the next step together.
Please don't include details about your trauma in a first message. We'll talk about what you want to share when we speak.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) or call 911. This website is not monitored for emergencies.
Maintain & Grow Counseling, PLLC · LCPC, Illinois License #180.015809 · LPCC, California License #[NUMBER]
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