Can you dissociate during EMDR?
Quick Answer:
Yes. People with trauma histories may experience dissociation during EMDR or other forms of trauma therapy. However, it’s important to understand that dissociation exists on a spectrum and that nearly everyone dissociates to a degree. Dissociation can range from subtle experiences such as feeling disconnected or "zoning out" to more noticeable changes in awareness or sense of self. Because dissociation can affect how someone responds to trauma processing, identifying and addressing it is an important part of EMDR preparation.
First: What Is Dissociation?
Dissociation is a way the brain and nervous system can disconnect from an experience when something feels overwhelming, threatening, or impossible to process in the moment. It happens to protect us!
And here's something important:
Dissociation isn't always obvious. It’s not dramatic like what we see on television or on TikTok.
You don't have to completely "leave your body" for dissociation to be happening.
It can look like:
Zoning out
Feeling numb
Losing track of time
Feeling disconnected from your body
Feeling like you're watching yourself from the outside
Suddenly feeling very far away
Difficulty remembering parts of a conversation
Feeling emotionally disconnected from something you know should affect you
Becoming extremely absorbed in your thoughts
Feeling like the world isn't quite real
Some people describe it simply as:
"I don't know. I just disappear for a minute."
Why Does Dissociation Matter in EMDR?
EMDR involves accessing distressing memories while remaining connected enough to the present to process them.
If someone becomes dissociated during processing, this means they have difficulty staying oriented to the present or noticing what is happening internally. This is called having dual awareness (I’ll explain further below) and it’s important to be able to do this when moving through the phases of EMDR.
That's why EMDR readiness isn't simply about whether someone wants to process trauma.
It's also about whether they have enough stability and awareness to participate safely in the process. It’s about using coping skills to return to the present if dissociation or other distressing emotions appear.
What If I Start Dissociating During a Session?
Your therapist may notice changes before you do.
You might:
Become very still
Stare into space
Stop responding normally
Lose track of the conversation
Suddenly become confused
Say you feel far away
Have difficulty identifying sensations or emotions
Feel numb or disconnected
The appropriate response isn't necessarily:
"Okay, let's push through."
Instead, your therapist may pause processing and help you reconnect with the present.
That might involve orienting to the room, noticing your feet on the floor, looking around, talking about what's happening right now, or using other grounding strategies.
Does Dissociation Mean I Can't Do EMDR?
Of course not!
Dissociation does not automatically mean EMDR is off the table.
It does mean your therapist needs to understand how dissociation shows up for you and incorporate that information into treatment planning.
For some clients, more time is needed for:
Stabilization
Grounding
Present-moment awareness
Emotional regulation
Developing dual awareness
Identifying early signs of dissociation
Building trust with the therapist
The question isn't simply:
"Can you do EMDR?"
A better question is:
"What does your nervous system need in order for trauma processing to be safe and productive?"
What Is "Dual Awareness"?
Dual awareness means being able to notice something from the past while remaining aware that you're in the present. As I like to say, one foot in the present and one foot in the past.
For example:
"I can remember what happened, and I can also know that I'm sitting here in my therapist's office and that I'm safe right now."
That distinction is incredibly important during trauma processing.
What If I Don't Know When I'm Dissociating?
You probably don’t honestly.
That's actually very common.
Dissociation can become so automatic that people don't recognize it as unusual.
Instead, they may think:
"I'm just tired."
"I'm bad at paying attention."
"I have a terrible memory."
"I just space out sometimes."
"That's just how I am."
Sometimes those experiences deserve a closer look.
A trauma-informed therapist can help you identify your personal signs of disconnection without assuming that every moment of distraction is dissociation.
EMDR and Dissociation: Why Preparation Matters
One of the biggest misconceptions about EMDR is that preparation is simply something you have to "get through" before the real therapy starts or that’s its not part of EMDR or any other type of trauma treatment.
For someone who experiences dissociation, preparation is an essential part of treatment.
Learning to recognize:
"I'm starting to disappear."
is a skill.
Learning how to come back is another skill.
And learning that you can notice difficult experiences without completely disconnecting from yourself can be incredibly empowering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EMDR make dissociation worse?
Trauma processing can sometimes increase awareness of dissociative responses. If dissociation becomes more frequent, intense, or disruptive, your therapist should reassess the pace and approach to treatment.
Should people with dissociation do EMDR?
Some people with dissociative symptoms can benefit from EMDR. However, treatment should be individualized, and significant dissociation may require additional assessment, preparation, and stabilization.
How do I know if I dissociate?
Common experiences include zoning out, losing track of time, feeling detached from your body, feeling unreal or disconnected, and having gaps in awareness or memory. A therapist can help you explore whether these experiences represent dissociation.
Can I stop EMDR if I start dissociating?
Yes. EMDR is collaborative, and your therapist can pause processing to help you reconnect with the present.
At Resilient Counseling
At Resilient Counseling, we believe trauma treatment should account for the whole person, not simply the trauma memory or telling the story.
We work with adults experiencing trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and dissociation throughout Georgia and Florida.
If you've wondered whether dissociation means you're "too complicated" for EMDR, please know that you are not.
Sometimes the most important part of trauma therapy isn't going faster.
It's learning how to stay with yourself while moving through difficult experiences.
Contact me today to learn whether EMDR therapy is the right fit for your healing journey.
Amanda Marks, LPC, LMHC, CPCS, EMDR Certified is a trauma-focused psychotherapist in Marietta, Georgia and Coconut Creek, Florida specializing in EMDR therapy, complex trauma, dissociation, anxiety, eating disorders, and body image. She is also the founder of EMDR Confidence Lab, where she provides education and consultation for therapists.