Founder and Trainer

Paula P. Merucci’s journey has taken her down a unique and unexpected path—one that ultimately led her to create EMDR Chicago Therapy, Training & Consultation.

Her first career was in the fast-paced world of the Chicago Board of Trade, where she was one of the few female members and a risk desk manager. The chaos of the markets meant constant exposure to high-stakes emotions. Paula’s role required her to guide traders through fight, flight, and freeze responses in real time, keeping them grounded so they could make effective decisions. In her words, “The past is always present,” echoing Daniel Siegel’s insight—a truth she lived out daily as she helped her team manage stress and avoid shutdown. Those years shaped Paula’s leadership style and ignited her passion for understanding human behavior.

As her personal journey unfolded, Paula began to confront her own unresolved trauma after raising her four children. Traditional therapy approaches fell short, leaving her searching for something more. That search led her to Francine Shapiro’s groundbreaking book, Getting Past Your Past, and her introduction to EMDR therapy. Paula was struck by EMDR’s ability to be both efficient and deeply effective in addressing trauma at its roots.

Today, Paula maintains a full caseload and works extensively with clients experiencing complex trauma and dissociation. She combines EMDR with Polyvagal Theory and Parts Work, providing a holistic, adaptive framework for healing. For Paula, the heart of the work lies in targeting “root cause” memories, offering clients a pathway to hope and genuine change.

“What inspires me most is watching clinicians discover that they can work with anyone—and help everyone—when they have the right tools. There is so much hope and healing available.” — Paula Merucci