If talk therapy hasn't fully touched the things that still bother you — the memory that replays, the reaction that feels bigger than the situation — EMDR is often the next thing people hear about. Here's a plain-language look at how it works and what starting looks like here in Mequon.
What EMDR is
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their charge. Instead of retelling your story in detail for months, you briefly focus on a memory while following guided bilateral stimulation — usually side-to-side eye movements or tapping. Over a series of sessions, the memory becomes something that happened, rather than something that still happens to you.
EMDR is widely used for:
PTSD and single-incident trauma
Anxiety and panic tied to past experiences
Grief and loss
Disturbing memories that drive current symptoms
What sessions actually look like
EMDR follows eight phases, starting with history-taking and building coping skills before any reprocessing begins — a good EMDR therapist won't rush you into the hard parts. Early sessions focus on understanding your goals and making sure you have solid grounding tools. Reprocessing sessions come later, at your pace, and you are in control throughout: you can pause at any time.
EMDR at Mend Counseling
Our EMDR work is led by Abby Janssen, LCSW, CSAC — an EMDRIA Certified Therapist, EMDR's professional association credential. That certification means advanced training and consultation beyond the basic course, which matters in trauma work.
You can do EMDR two ways with us:
In person in Mequon with select clinicians at our Cedarburg Road office (11124 N. Cedarburg Rd., Suite 150).
By secure telehealth from anywhere in Wisconsin — EMDR adapts well to video with the right setup. We'll do a brief tech check in your first session to make sure the format works for you.
We serve teenagers and adults, we're in-network with most major Wisconsin insurers (including Forward Health), and we have immediate openings — no waitlist. Most sessions are by secure telehealth, so you can meet from home anywhere in Wisconsin. Select clinicians also see clients in person at our Mequon office (11124 N. Cedarburg Rd., Suite 150).
You can read more about this approach on our EMDR Therapy page.
Is EMDR right for you?
A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to find out. We'll talk through what you're dealing with, answer your questions about EMDR, and help you decide if it's a good fit — no pressure, no commitment.
Book a free 15-minute consultation at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/6d4ae04a.
Or call us at 920-234-6842 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:30pm).
If you are in crisis, call 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Mend Counseling is not an emergency service.
