“Hi, I’m AJ, an EMDR therapist specializing in supporting people through life transitions, change, loss, and grief.
If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re carrying something heavy – the pain of a recent loss, the disorientation of a major life change, or the ongoing weight of a chronic illness or health condition. Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, moving through a divorce, adjusting to a difficult diagnosis — I want you to know you’re not alone.
My background includes advanced training in hospice and palliative care, which shapes my understanding of grief as emotional, physical, relational, and deeply personal – never linear or one-size-fits all.
In therapy, I offer a safe, supportive space where you can explore your story at your own pace. I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), along with relational and acceptance-based therapies, to help you gently process painful experiences, reconnect with your body’s wisdom, and begin to make sense of how your past may be showing up in your present — whether through emotions, thought patterns, or behaviors.
I believe healing happens in relationship — with others and with yourself. Our work together can be a place to practice feeling safe, seen, and in control. You are the expert on your own experience; my role is to listen deeply and walk alongside you with evidence-based tools and a compassionate presence.
I work with adults of all ages and identities, including people of all sexual and gender orientations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready to talk — I’d be honored to support your healing journey.
AJ Creden, LCSW, APHSW-C (she/her)
EMDR Therapist
AJ Creden, LCSW, APHSW-C (she/her)
EMDR Therapist
AJ@ChicagoEMDR.com
224.337.3355
AJ Creden, LCSW, APHSW-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR therapist, and educator with over a decade of experience supporting individuals navigating complex trauma, grief, chronic pain, and substance use. She is known for her integrative, compassionate, and client-centered approach to care, particularly with those facing life transitions, loss, aging, and end-of-life experiences.
AJ holds a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and is certified in hospice and palliative care (APHSW-C). Her clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), supported by advanced training in motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based interventions.
In addition to her clinical work, AJ is deeply committed to the education and training of future clinicians. She serves as an adjunct professor at the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work and is a faculty member and mentor with the Coleman Palliative Medicine Training Program. Her academic and professional roles allow her to stay engaged with emerging research and best practices, bridging the gap between theory and lived experience.
Whether working with clients in therapy or mentoring students and professionals, AJ brings warmth, humility, and a deep respect for the individual’s unique path toward healing. Outside of therapy, AJ loves playing ultimate frisbee, spending time hiking and camping, and being creative in the kitchen.