Healing Trauma in Chicago — For Women & Nonbinary Individuals
At Balanced Awakening, we focus on trauma therapy for women and nonbinary folks, integrating somatic healing, EMDR, and Brainspotting. Our approach nurtures safety, reconnection, and growth — so the past doesn’t have to define your future.
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What Our Clients Are Saying
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During our first session Hannah was proactive in creating a plan of action to properly diagnose me and address my concerns. Detailed. Office is beautiful. Love the decor, relaxing ambiance and free tea.
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She was very kind and thorough during intake and the entire office looks like something out of a lifestyle magazine.
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The office is lovely and welcoming, the in-take paperwork helped me prepare for what I wanted to talk about and gave me a starting point.
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Dr. Yang is warm and empathic, and made me feel comfortable from the very beginning.
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Emma has been very supportive through major life changes for me. Her sweet and gentle nature made it easy for me to feel safe to open up to her. I am very grateful for her support and kindness.
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It was my first visit and she made me feel so safe. I opened up right away!
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Why Trauma Therapy Matters
Trauma can linger in both the mind and body. Even years later, it can show up as anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional disconnection, or difficulties in relationships.
At Balanced Awakening, we don’t just talk about trauma — we help you release it from where it’s stored in the body. Using somatic therapy and evidence-based approaches, our therapists guide you toward safety, connection, and growth.
Our Somatic & Trauma Therapy Approaches
We tailor treatment to your unique needs using:
Somatic Therapy — reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and restore safety from within.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) — reprocess painful memories so they lose their charge.
Brainspotting — access and heal trauma that words alone can’t reach.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) — shift the beliefs trauma leaves behind.
Every session integrates mind-body healing, so you’re not just managing symptoms — you’re building lasting resilience. Because we deeply understand how trauma is experienced differently by women and nonbinary people — in relationships, body, identity — we tailor our methods to honor those lived experiences.
What to Expect in Trauma Therapy
Safety First — We build trust and set a pace that feels right for you.
Regulation Tools — Grounding, breathing, and somatic awareness practices to stabilize your nervous system.
Processing — Using EMDR, Brainspotting, or somatic methods to gently release stored trauma.
Integration & Growth — Reclaim connection, self-trust, and joy.
You’ll never be pushed to share more than you’re ready. We walk with you every step of the way.
Meet Our Chicago Trauma Therapists
Trauma Therapy Across Chicago
We offer in-person sessions in Andersonville, Lincoln Park, Loop, and Lakeview, plus secure telehealth across Illinois.
Trauma Therapy Blog Posts
Trauma Therapy FAQs
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No — you never have to retell your trauma in graphic detail. Techniques we use (especially somatic, EMDR, Brainspotting) allow processing without retraumatizing. Healing happens through your body’s intelligence, not forced narrative.
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Our rate for the first two sessions is $250, and ongoing 55-minute therapy sessions are $225. Most of our trauma therapists are in network with BCBS PPO and Aetna.
If your insurer is out-of-network, we partner with Thrizer to simplify reimbursement: no super bills, no chasing claims. We can also help you estimate your coverage before you commit.
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Yes. Your therapist’s priority is safety, consent, and pacing. We use trauma-informed protocols, titration of challenging material, and strong grounding tools. If you ever feel overwhelmed, we pause and return to regulation. You always maintain control over your healing path.
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Trauma therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy focused on helping you heal from past experiences that continue to affect you today. At Balanced Awakening, we integrate somatic therapy, EMDR, and Brainspotting into trauma therapy so that healing happens in both mind and body. You’ll be gently guided to release stored tension, reprocess memories, and rebuild a sense of safety and wholeness.
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We work with all types of trauma — from single-incident trauma (e.g. accidents, assaults) to chronic trauma (e.g. repeated abuse, neglect) to complex trauma, especially related to relationships and early life. Our therapists are trained to tailor approaches like somatic therapy and EMDR to address trauma’s impact at different levels: emotional, physical, relational.
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Early sessions focus on safety, grounding, and stabilizing your nervous system using somatic awareness, breath work, or regulation techniques. Later, with your readiness, we may engage in EMDR, Brainspotting, or somatic processing to gently release stored trauma. Sessions always move at your pace — you’ll never be pushed to relive trauma. Progress feels gradual: more ease, calm, resilience, relationship repair.
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It depends on how much impact trauma has on your day-to-day functioning. Many clients benefit from weekly sessions for several months to achieve meaningful change. For some, a mix of trauma modalities may accelerate stabilization. Your therapist will help you map out a plan based on your goals and life rhythm.
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Absolutely. We offer secure virtual sessions statewide. Some clients find trauma work more accessible and safe from home. Virtual trauma therapy with somatic techniques is especially effective when combined with in-person sessions if accessible.
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Yes — complex trauma and childhood trauma are our specialties. These forms of trauma often root in early relational experiences, which is why our approach includes somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and relational repair as central components. We guide healing at multiple levels.
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Every therapist at Balanced Awakening has extensive training in general psychotherapy, with additional expertise in trauma therapy, EMDR, somatic methods, and brain-based healing. Many have certifications in specialized trauma modalities, and they regularly engage in supervision, continuing education, and peer consultation to provide deeply informed care.
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Over time, trauma therapy can lead to:
More restful sleep and fewer nightmares
Increased capacity to stay present and grounded
Emotional resilience and improved regulation
More satisfying, safer relationships
Reduction in anxiety, shame, and depressive symptoms
Greater joy, purpose, self-trust, and embodiment
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At Balanced Awakening, our primary focus is providing trauma therapy for women and nonbinary individuals. We believe in creating a safe, affirming space for these clients. That said, a few therapists do work with men via telehealth; you can find details on our For Him page.
Your Healing Starts Here
You don’t have to carry trauma alone. With somatic therapy, EMDR, and a supportive therapist, you can heal and thrive.