What Are Common "Stuck Points" In EMDR And How Do Clinicians Help Clients Through Them?

Stuck EMDR isn’t a dead end—it’s a message from the system that something important needs attention. We unpack the most common stall points we see in the therapy room and share exactly how we restore movement with care: looping on the same image, an analytical part that overthinks every set, dissociation that blurs the present, and shame that pulls clients out of connection. Along the way, we offer the small, precise adjustments that change the course of a session without overwhelming the client.

We walk through how to spot meaningful shifts using clear clinical markers and somatic cues: fidgeting that signals rising activation, collapsed posture that hints at shame, and the quiet drift of hypoarousal. You’ll hear how we pause reprocessing to return to stabilization, use shorter sets to respect the window of tolerance, and provide simple psychoeducation so clients can say, “I’m going numb,” or “I’m far away,” giving us a shared map for action. When looping persists, we consider whether the target is too complex, whether a protector part is withholding permission, or whether missing adaptive information needs to be introduced.

Cognitive interweave is our go-to tool for subtle, strategic nudges. We keep it light: a present-oriented question, a reminder of current safety, or a reflection that invites the capable adult self to step forward. With highly cognitive clients—yes, the lawyer and engineer crowd—we normalize skepticism, name the protector part, and invite balance: less explanation, more sensation. We broaden the work to include rumination patterns and OCD features when they appear, and we integrate body awareness so the head, heart, and nervous system can move together.

If you’re a clinician looking to refine EMDR case conceptualization, recognize stuckness early, and use parts work, interweaves, and pacing with precision, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more therapists find practical EMDR strategies that make sessions safer and more effective.

To learn more about EMDR WITH DANI AND ALLY visit:
https://www.DaniandAlly.com
EMDR WITH DANI AND ALLY
254-230-4994