How Are Emotions Processed in EMDR Therapy?

This article was updated n September 20, 2026.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an advanced, evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s to help individuals process and heal from psychological trauma.

Like a calming wave, EMDR's bilateral stimulation helps the nervous system safely process and metabolize the raw emotional imprints of past trauma.

Alongside other premier experiential and somatic modalities—such as AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing—EMDR offers a powerful, body-centered alternative to traditional talk therapy (see my article: Why is Experiential Therapy More Effective Than Traditional Therapy to Overcome Trauma?

The Neuroscience of Emotional Processing in EMDR

The foundational cornerstone of EMDR is the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This neurological theory explains that the brain stores everyday memories and traumatic memories in completely different ways:

• Normal Memory Storage: Healthy, everyday experiences are integrated smoothly into the brain's neural networks by strengthening standard connections between neurons.
• Traumatic Memory Storage: During a overwhelming or life-threatening event, the hyperactivation of the amygdala (the brain's alarm system) and the sudden inhibition of the hippocampus (the brain's time-stamper) prevent the memory from being stored cohesively. Instead, the trauma is frozen in its original, fragmented state, complete with raw sensory images, negative core beliefs, and intense emotional imprints.

Because these traumatic memories remain completely unprocessed, a person can easily experience sudden flashbacks, panic, and emotional triggers in their daily life. While prolonged trauma can cause structural changes in the brain that temporarily reduce neuroplasticity, EMDR therapy helps safely stimulate and repair these vital neural pathways (see my article: How EMDR Therapy Works: EMDR and the Brain).

How Are Emotions Processed in EMDR Therapy?

Emotions related to traumatic memories are systematically processed in EMDR using Bilateral Stimulation (BLS). By introducing alternating side-to-side eye movements, auditory tones, or tactile taps while a client focuses on a distressing memory, the therapist helps stimulate the brain's natural processing mechanisms (see my article: What is Bilateral Stimulation?).

This specific technique directly mimics the rapid eye movements observed during REM sleep, a crucial stage of rest associated with emotional dreaming and memory consolidation.

Bilateral stimulation helps the brain safely "metabolize" the stuck emotional charge of the trauma. As a result, the painful distress of the memory rapidly fades, allowing the client to replace negative, limiting self-beliefs with positive, adaptive insights.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

Before processing trauma, an EMDR therapist carefully assesses whether this modality is appropriate for the client. Some individuals with complex or ongoing histories may require an extended period of baseline stabilization and pacing before memory processing begins (see my article: "Developing Internal Resources and Coping Skills").

Once readiness is established, the therapy moves systematically through eight distinct phases:

1. History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist maps out the client's trauma history and identifies a "touchstone memory"—the earliest root experience tied to current symptoms. For example, if a client struggles with a humiliating boss, the touchstone memory might be a critical father. Processing this root event yields generalizable healing across later, similar memories. Identifying this root is done via the Float Back technique (known as the Affect Bridge in clinical hypnosis).
2. Preparation: The therapist explains the EMDR process, establishes baseline safety, and teaches the client practical internal coping skills to manage emotional stress both during and between clinical sessions (see my article: Why is Establishing Safety So Important in Trauma Therapy?).
3. Assessment: The therapist sets up the EMDR protocol by identifying the target memory's key components: the worst visual image, the client's negative self-belief (e.g., "I am helpless"), current emotions, and specific physical body sensations.
4. Desensitization: The client focuses on the memory components while engaging in bilateral stimulation. For clients with extensive developmental or childhood trauma, this phase is repeated across multiple memory clusters to completely clear the trauma network.
5. Installation: The client selects an adaptive, empowering positive belief (e.g., "I am safe now" or "I am capable") to strengthen and integrate, completely replacing the old negative cognition associated with that memory.
6. Body Scan: The client evaluates their body for any residual physical tension linked to the trauma. If any somatic distress is detected, bilateral stimulation is continued until the physical sensation completely dissipates.
7. Closure: Every processing session ends with explicit stabilization techniques—such as a guided meditation, debriefing, or grounding exercises—ensuring the client leaves feeling secure, contained, and grounded.
8. Reevaluation: At the start of the next session, the therapist and client collaboratively evaluate progress, assess the stability of previous targets, and map out the next step of the treatment plan.

Overcoming Emotional Blocks in EMDR

An emotional block is an unconscious barrier or defense mechanism that stalls the processing of a traumatic memory. Except in cases of simple, one-time adult traumas, encountering processing blocks is a completely normal part of deep trauma recovery.

An emotional block can appear at any stage of the EMDR protocol and often manifests as an intense, unyielding belief, such as "I don't deserve to feel better."

When processing stalls, it is like finding a fallen tree across a train track; the processing cannot advance until the obstruction is cleared. To move past this barrier efficiently, it is highly useful to conceptualize the block as a distinct "part" of the client—such as an inner child or an internalized defense strategy. 

Working directly with that specific part using Parts Work helps soften the defense, allowing the part to step aside so EMDR processing can safely resume (see my article: What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Combining EMDR and IFS Therapy?)

Conclusion

EMDR therapy is an exceptionally powerful, neurobiologically sound modality for resolving trauma. 

An experienced trauma specialist evaluates each client individually to determine the perfect therapeutic blend—whether using EMDR, AEDP, Somatic Experiencing, Parts Work, or a unified, custom combination—to ensure safe, lasting emotional freedom.

About Josephine Ferraro, LCSW

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and an advanced practitioner of EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), IFS, Somatic Experiencing, and Sex Therapy. 

As a trauma therapist, I help individual adults and couples process complex history and step into true emotional resilience.

I offer a complimentary 15 minute phone call before setting up an appointment.

Contact Information:

I see clients online throughout New York State and in person at my private office in Greenwich Village, New York, NY 10011.

I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone call before scheduling your initial appointment.

• Website: Visit Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist to learn more about my practice.

• Email: Reach out confidentially via email at josephineferraro@iCloud.com.

• Phone: Call me directly at (917) 742-2624 during standard business hours.

Also See My Articles:

Trauma Therapy: The Mind Has a Powerful Innate Ability to Heal Itself

What Does Processing Your Emotions Mean? 

How Are Emotions Processed in AEDP?

What is the Life Cycle of an Emotion?

Emotional Numbing: The "Wall" That Once Protected You Now Imprisons You

 I've written about emotional numbing in prior articles (see my article: How Therapy Can Help You to Take Down the "Wall" You Built Around Yourself).

In the current article, I want to dive deeper into the subject of emotional numbing that started as a survival strategy and ended up imprisoning you with social isolation, an inability to feel emotions deeply, including joy, and creating stagnation in your life.

What is Emotional Numbing?

Emotional numbing is an unconscious psychological state where an individual feels detached or indifferent. They are often unable to experience, process or express emotions.

Overcoming Emotional Numbing

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Emotional Numbing?

Someone who is experiencing emotional numbing can have some or all of the following symptoms:

• Flat Affect: A lack of emotional response, often described as "robotic" or indifferent

• Reduced Emotional Range: An inability to feel high excitement or deep sadness

• Detachment: Feeling emotionally and psychologically disconnected from others and, possibly, from surroundings

• Indiscriminate Blocking: Emotional numbing blocks all emotions including sadness, joy, excitement and gratitude

• Loss of a Sense of Self: Chronic detachment can lead to loss of identity, which can make you feel like a passive observer in your life 

• Avoidance and Isolation: Withdrawing from people and social activities

• Energy Depletion: Maintaining internal "walls" takes a lot of psychological energy which can lead to chronic fatigue or burnout

What Causes Emotional Numbing?

Emotional numbing can be caused by unresolved psychological trauma, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), severe stress, grief, burnout or a side effect of medication (see my article: What is the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?).

Overcoming Emotional Numbing

Emotional numbing often starts during childhood as a survival strategy or defense mechanism which is adaptive at the time because the child is in a psychologically overwhelming environment at home.

In that sense, emotional numbing helps to mitigate overwhelming stress and trauma which would be detrimental to the child.

However, when the child becomes an adult, emotional numbing is no longer adaptive because it prevents the individual from being fully present in personal relationships, friendships, social activities and at work.

As an adult, chronic emotional numbness puts a strain on relationships and daily life.

Clinical Vignette

The following clinical vignette,which is a composite of many cases, illustrates how emotional numbing which once protected a young child in a dysfunctional family from being overwhelmed but created problems later on as an adult. The vignette also illustrates how trauma therapy can help.

Nick

When Nick was growing up, he learned to cope with his parents' constant arguments by going into his room and "spacing out" with video games.

After a while, he got so good at numbing himself that he felt like he was in his own world apart from everyone and everything else.

As an adult in his first relationship, Nick had problems connecting emotionally with his girlfriend. She complained that she experienced him as emotionally detached and indifferent about her and their relationship.

At the time, Nick had no awareness about how he was numbing himself because it had become so automatic for him. At the point when he thought his girlfriend might end their relationship, Nick sought help in therapy.

Nick's therapist helped Nick to realize that the "wall" he created around himself as a child protected him from the chaos between his parents, but that same "wall" now came with a cost because he had problems connecting emotionally with his girlfriend and others.

His therapist, who was a trauma therapist, helped Nick to gradually take down his protective "wall" by working on the unresolved trauma from his childhood.

Using a combination of EMDR therapy and Parts Work therapy, over time, Nick worked through his childhood trauma so that he no longer felt the need to numb himself emotionally (see my article: Why is Experiential Therapy More Effective Than Traditional Talk Therapy to Overcome Trauma?).

The work in therapy was neither quick nor easy, but Nick was able to connect emotionally with his girlfriend as he worked through his unresolved trauma.

Conclusion

Like all defense mechanisms, emotional numbing occurs on an unconscious level and it's usually related to trauma.

Trauma therapy can help to work through the original trauma so there is no longer a need for emotional numbing.

Getting Help in Trauma Therapy

Working with a licensed mental health professional who is a trauma therapist can help you to work through unresolved trauma and emotional numbing (see my article: What is a Trauma Therapist?).

Getting Help in Trauma Therapy

Rather than struggling on your own, seek help from a trauma therapist so you can live a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Parts Work (IFS and Ego States Therapy), Somatic Experiencing and Certified Sex Therapist.

As a trauma therapist, I have over 25 years of experience helping individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Also See My Articles:

Allowing Yourself to Feel Your Feelings So You Can Heal 

What Happens When You Numb Yourself to Your Traumatic Past 

What is Hypervigilance and How is it Related to Unresolved Psychological Trauma?

Hypervigilance is a heightened state of awareness that allows humans to sense threats in their environment.

Hypervigilance and Psychological Trauma

People who are in a perpetual state of hypervigilance feel like they are constantly under a threat.  The part of the human brain that manages emotions, the amygdala, is in overdrive.

What Causes Hypervigilance?

This article focuses on psychological trauma. However, there are other potential mental and physical causes of hypervigilance including:

• Anxiety
  

• Panic Attacks
  

• Depression
  

• Dementia

• Adrenal Disorders

• Fibromyalgia 

Hypervigilance and Unresolved Childhood Trauma

Children who grow up in a dysfunctional family where parents might be unpredictable, violent, abusing substances, physically abusive or neglectful learn to be hypervigilant as an unconscious survival strategy. They learn to sense their parents' shifting moods so they can be ready at all times to protect their safety.

Hypervigilance and Unresolved Childhood Trauma

Without help in therapy, these traumatized children usually grow up to be traumatized adults and they continue to be hypervigilant in their surroundings.

Examples of Hypervigilance in Adults

• Hypervigilance to Their Surroundings: People who grew up in an abusive family or who experienced abusive relationships as an adult might have a strong startle response reflex where they are startled by the slightest sound or movement.

• Hypervigilance to Other People's Thoughts, Feelings and Behavior: People who experience hypervigilance might be very observant of other people's thoughts, feelings, behavior and body language for any signs of change or potential danger.

• Hypervigilance of Their Own Body: People who experience serious medical problems or who have someone close to them who have experienced serious medical problems are often hypervigilant of their own body. A minor experience of pain might be perceived as a catastrophic disease.

Hypervigilance and Catastrophizinglo

• Hypervigilance and Catastrophizing: People who are hypervigilant tend to create negative narratives in their mind which can spin out of control. Small things, like a friend not responding to a text immediately, can develop into a catastrophic story where the friend has died. Even when things are going well, people who are hypervigilant might find it difficult to enjoy happy times because they are always waiting for the other shoe to drop (see my article: Are You Catastrophizing?).

• Hypervigilance and Insecurities: Since hypervigilance is mostly about preventing or avoiding potential threats, people who are hypervigilant might attempt to ward off threats by people pleasing or fawning. They might struggle with regulating their emotions or trusting others. They might have problems letting their guard down so they can relax or they might be fearful they will say or do the "wrong thing" (see my article: Trauma and the Fawn Response

• Hypervigilance and Avoidant Behavior: People who struggle with hypervigilance can be avoidant in ways that are detrimental to themselves and others. They might avoid people, places and things they fear. This can cause problems in their personal life as well as their career. For instance, if they experience minor turbulence on a plane trip, they might avoid ever getting on a plane again--even if it means they won't see close friends or family members or they might lose a job that involves travel. Another example is if someone is in a minor car accident where no one was hurt, they might avoid driving again--even if it means they can't visit people close to them or go to work.  A third example: If someone goes through a bad breakup, they might avoid dating or getting into another relationship. In other words, many other people, who don't experience hypervigilance, might be hesitant after having a bad relationship experience, but they learn to cope and they don't avoid.  In contrast, the person who is hypervigilant takes it to an extreme because it's their way of protecting themselves. However, in the process, they don't learn to cope or overcome their fears. They remain stuck (see my article: What is Avoidant Behavior?).

What is the Potential Physical and Psychological Impact of Hypervigilance?

People who experience hypervigilance might experience some or all of the following characteristics:

• Chronic Stress: A constant flood of cortisol and adrenaline is exhausting and can cause medical, emotional and psychological problems.

Hypervigilance and Relationship Problems

• Relationship Problems: While people who experience hypervigilance might be more aware of potential red flags in a relationship, they might also have problems getting close or trusting even in a healthy situation. They might be overly sensitive or emotionally overreactive to a partner's comments. Some people might avoid getting involved in relationships at all because o they fear getting hurt (see my article: How Trauma Can Affect Your Ability to Be Emotionally Vulnerable in a Romantic Relationship).

Hypervigilance, Loneliness and Isolaton

• Loneliness and Isolation: A fear of making friends or seeking romantic relationships due to fear of getting hurt, can lead to isolation and loneliness (see my article: Loneliness and Social Isolation).

How to Cope With Hypervigilance

Here are some interventions that might be helpful to you:

• Grounding Exercises: You can learn to calm yourself with breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation and journaling.

Coping with Hypervigilance By Meditating

• Limiting or Eliminating Coffee, Alcohol or Other Substances: If you notice you feel worse after drinking coffee or alcohol, consider either limiting your intake or eliminating these substances.

• Seeking Help in Trauma Therapy: If you work with a trauma therapist, you can learn to: 

• Identify your triggers

• Learn to overcome your triggers

• Be able to differentiate your feelings from objective reality (see my article: Discovering Your Thoughts and Feelings Aren't Facts)

• Work through the psychological trauma underlying your hypervigilance so you are free from your traumatic history

Getting Help in Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy includes various types of therapy that were developed specifically to help people to overcome trauma. 

These include:

• EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy)

• Somatic Experiencing
  

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Hypnotherapy
  

• Parts Work Therapy (including Internal Family Systems Therapy and Ego States Therapy)

When you work with a skilled trauma therapist, you can overcome hypervigilance and unresolved psychological trauma.

Getting Help in Trauma Therapy

Rather than struggling nn your own, seek help from a licensed mental health professional who is a trauma therapist so you can lead a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples) and Certified Sex Therapist.

I work with individual adults and couples (see my article: What is a Trauma Therapist?).

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Also See My Articles:

8 Tips For Coping With Triggers

What is the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)

What is Trauma-Related Dissociation?