I have my own EMDR therapist. Even after more than a decade of using EMDR as a clinician myself, I recognize the value of having someone to walk alongside me through the stickier parts of my pastโthose pieces that subtly shape how I show up in the world.
Over the past few weeks, weโve been exploring a sensation that comes without an accompanying memory. Itโs intenseโlike standing on the edge of a vacuum, a vast nothingness, accompanied only by a deep sense of foreboding and the nails-down-a-chalkboard quality that makes your skin crawl (IYKYK).
Being the slightly disobedient client that I am, I tried to hunt down the memory connected to this sensation between sessions. I looked through time frame after time frame. Nothing. Just that feeling of teetering on the precipice. I began to experiment, simply sitting with the sensationโallowing myself to โhang outโ with that edgeโknowing that we would explore it more fully in session.
When session came, we approached it together. I dipped my toe into that voidโand for the first time, I realized: this โnothingโ wasnโt a missing memory. It was a lack of words.
What is the image? No words. What is the negative cognition? No words. Every time I stepped out of that space, I could describe my experienceโbut stepping back in, the words disappeared again. Observing this in myself was, quite honestly, strange and humbling.
And it made me think about my clients. What happens when language is absentโor simply insufficientโto capture the experience of a memory or sensation? What do we do when the answer is โnothingโ?
Nothing might mean:
This work reminds me that EMDR is not just about uncovering memories or labeling thoughts. Itโs about witnessing experience exactly as it presents itselfโeven when words fail. And sometimes, sitting with the โnothingโ is where the most profound work happens.
For me, this edge is not something to fearโitโs something to explore, to notice, and to respect. In doing so, I honor the complexity of human experience, and I deepen my understanding not only of myself but of the clients I am privileged to accompany on their own journeys.
Yes. Some people experience emotional numbness or feel disconnected during EMDR, especially if they have experienced significant trauma. This does not mean therapy is failing or that healing is not taking place.
Emotional numbness can be a protective response of the nervous system. It may develop after overwhelming experiences to reduce emotional pain and help a person cope with chronic stress or trauma.
Yes. EMDR does not require intense emotional reactions to be effective. Many clients experience gradual changes in thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, or daily functioning over time.
Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.
Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelorโs and masterโs degrees in social work and a masterโs in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.
Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy.ย
Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy.ย
Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelorโs and masterโs degrees in social work and a masterโs in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.
Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.
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