Edge Counseling & Wellness

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Peoria, IL
Edge Counseling & Wellness

We treat adults and adolescents, both individually and in groups!

We are a group of therapists and wellness practitioners that wish to come alongside individuals in the Central Illinois area to help them find their best, most authentic selves.

04/03/2026

“I get to play all day at work.”

It might sound like fun and games — and sometimes it is — but for clinicians who work with children, play is one of the most powerful therapeutic tools we have.

In this video, Charne shares how games and play-based activities are used intentionally in therapy to help children:
🧠 Express emotions they may not have words for yet
🎯 Practice problem-solving and coping skills
🤝 Build trust and connection
💬 Communicate in ways that feel natural and safe

For many children, play is their language. Through games, creativity, and interaction, therapy becomes a space where they can process experiences, learn new skills, and grow.

So yes — there may be games involved.
But there is also a lot of meaningful work happening through play.

04/01/2026

First day at reception… and Lily may need a little more training. 🐾

Client walks in.
Phone rings.
Appointments to check in…

And Lily is… not paying attention at all.

Good news:
✨ Excellent at morale boosting
✨ Great at accepting pets from clients
✨ Very committed to looking cute behind the desk

Skills still in progress:
📋 Greeting clients
📞 Answering phones
👀 Paying attention to the door

We’re working on it. Training is ongoing.

03/30/2026

Struggling to get good sleep? You’re not alone.

In this video, Clinician Kailey Jean walks through some important do’s and don’ts of healthy sleep hygiene — simple habits that can make a big difference in how well your mind and body rest.

Good sleep hygiene includes things like:
🌙 Keeping a consistent sleep schedule
📱 Reducing screen time before bed
🛏 Creating a calm sleep environment
☕ Being mindful of caffeine and late-night stimulation

And just as important are the habits that can quietly disrupt our sleep without us realizing it.

Quality sleep plays a huge role in mental health, emotional regulation, and overall well-being, so building small, supportive routines can go a long way.

Watch the video to learn a few practical ways to improve your sleep routine tonight.

03/27/2026

EMDR Part 5: Other Ways EMDR Can Be Used

EMDR isn’t only for past trauma. It can also help with present-day challenges and nervous system regulation.

In this video, Amber shares how EMDR can be used for:

⚡ Recent events – Helping the brain process difficult or overwhelming experiences before they become “stuck.”
🤕 Pain management – Supporting the nervous system in reprocessing the distress connected to chronic or acute pain.
🧠 Current triggers and stressors – Reducing the intensity of reactions in the present.

EMDR can also be integrated with other therapeutic approaches, including:
✨ Internal Family Systems (IFS)
✨ Somatic therapy
✨ Other trauma-informed modalities

This allows therapy to address not just thoughts — but emotions, body sensations, and protective parts of the nervous system.

Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. EMDR is a flexible, evidence-based tool that can be adapted to meet you where you are.

If you’ve been curious about EMDR, this video highlights just how versatile and supportive it can be. 💛

03/25/2026

New delivery at the office today… and Lily knew it immediately. 📦🐾

The Bark Box has arrived, which means:
✨ Maximum excitement
🦴 Immediate toy inspection
👀 Careful treat quality control
🐾 Zero patience during the unboxing process

Lily takes her role as Chief Morale Officer very seriously, and new toys are clearly an important part of maintaining a healthy work environment.

Sometimes the little things — a surprise package, a moment of joy, a reason to laugh — can brighten the whole day.

Safe to say this delivery passed Lily’s approval test. ✔️

03/23/2026

EMDR Part 4: The Phases of EMDR

EMDR isn’t just eye movements — it’s an 8-phase, structured therapy process designed to support safety and lasting change.

In this video, Amber walks through what that actually looks like:

1️⃣ History Taking – Understanding your story and identifying treatment goals.
2️⃣ Preparation – Building coping skills, grounding tools, and internal resources.
3️⃣ Assessment – Identifying the specific memory, belief, and body sensations connected to the distress.
4️⃣ Desensitization – Using bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess the memory.
5️⃣ Installation – Strengthening a more adaptive, positive belief.
6️⃣ Body Scan – Checking for any remaining physical distress.
7️⃣ Closure – Ensuring you leave session feeling regulated and supported.
8️⃣ Reevaluation – Reviewing progress and determining next steps.

We never jump straight into processing. Safety, trust, and regulation always come first.

EMDR is thoughtful, collaborative, and paced to your nervous system — not rushed.

If you’ve been curious about how EMDR actually works, this gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the structure behind the healing. 💛

03/21/2026

POV: Lily’s inner dialogue on her walk is very active. 🐾

Constant scanning.
Strong opinions.
Very clear priorities.

We all have an inner voice narrating our experiences — sometimes helpful, sometimes critical, sometimes just… persistent.

That inner dialogue often developed for a reason. It tries to protect us, guide us, or make sense of the world around us.

Part of healing isn’t silencing that voice — it’s learning to notice it, understand it, and relate to it with curiosity instead of judgment.

Lily’s inner voice may be focused on snacks and belly rubs… but the concept is the same.

What does your inner dialogue sound like today?

03/20/2026

EMDR Part 3: Why EMDR?

So why would someone choose EMDR in therapy?

Because sometimes talking about what happened isn’t enough.

You might understand your story logically…
But your body still reacts like it’s happening now.

EMDR helps bridge that gap.

It allows the brain to reprocess distressing experiences so they feel like something that happened in the past — not something you’re reliving in the present.

Clients often choose EMDR when:
🧠 They feel stuck despite traditional talk therapy
⚡ Triggers feel intense or confusing
💭 Old memories still carry a strong emotional charge
🖤 Negative beliefs about themselves feel deeply rooted

EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity of those memories and shift the beliefs attached to them — from “I’m not safe” to “I survived” … from “I’m not enough” to “I am worthy.”

Healing isn’t about erasing the past.
It’s about helping your nervous system recognize that you made it through.

If you’re wondering whether EMDR might be right for you, we’d be honored to walk through that conversation with you. 💛

03/18/2026

It has come to Lily’s attention that it’s been several minutes since she last received affection.

This is unacceptable.

Symptoms observed:
🐾 Intense eye contact
🐾 Strategic couch positioning
🐾 Gentle but persistent presence
🐾 Immediate mood improvement upon pets

In all seriousness — connection matters.

Whether it’s five minutes or five days, we’re wired for safe, comforting interaction. A kind touch, a warm presence, feeling noticed… it regulates more than we realize.

Lily would like to remind you:
Ask for what you need.
Lean into connection.
And don’t underestimate the power of a little attention.

Immediate improvement guaranteed. 🤍

03/16/2026

EMDR Part 2: What tools do we actually use?

In this video, Amber walks through some of the practical tools involved in EMDR therapy — and no, it’s not hypnosis.

EMDR uses something called bilateral stimulation, which can include:

👀 Guided eye movements
🤲 Alternating tapping (on hands or shoulders)
🎧 Alternating tones through headphones

These tools help both sides of the brain engage while processing a distressing memory — allowing it to become less emotionally intense over time.

But before any memory work begins, we focus on:
✨ Building safety and trust
✨ Resourcing and grounding skills
✨ Strengthening your ability to regulate

EMDR isn’t about flooding you with painful memories. It’s a structured, collaborative process that prioritizes safety every step of the way.

If you’re curious about whether EMDR could be helpful for you, we’re always here to answer questions. 💛

03/14/2026

Caught in the act… prioritizing self-care. 🐾

Olivia was looking for Lily, only to discover she had quietly made her way to Lisenby Physical Therapy for a massage from Natalie.

We respect the initiative, honestly.

Lily would like it known that:
✨ She values interdisciplinary collaboration
✨ She takes nervous system regulation seriously
✨ She will not miss an opportunity for hands-on care

In all seriousness, we love being surrounded by other providers who care deeply about wellness in all its forms. Shoutout to Natalie and the team at Lisenby Physical Therapy for taking such good care of our favorite office companion.

Self-care isn’t selfish — and Lily is clearly leading by example. 🤍

03/13/2026

“What is EMDR… and when do we use it in therapy?”

In this video, Amber breaks down Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in a simple, approachable way.

EMDR is a therapy approach designed to help the brain reprocess distressing or traumatic memories so they feel less overwhelming in the present.

We often use EMDR when clients are experiencing:
🧠 Trauma or PTSD
💭 Intrusive memories
⚡ Triggers that feel bigger than the current situation
😟 Anxiety rooted in past experiences
🖤 Negative core beliefs formed from painful events

Sometimes we “know” we’re safe now — but our nervous system hasn’t caught up. EMDR helps the brain and body integrate what happened so it no longer feels like it’s happening right now.

It’s structured, evidence-based, and always done at a pace that feels safe and collaborative.

If you’ve ever wondered whether EMDR might be helpful for you, this video is a great place to start.

Address

5101 N Executive Drive
Peoria, IL
61614

Telephone

+13094081493

Website

http://edgecounselingandwellness.com/

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