What is Looping in EMDR Therapy?
- Dana Carretta-Stein
- Jul 1, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 13
In EMDR Therapy, there is a common term referred to as "Looping". Looping is when an individual in is the middle of Phase 4 of EMDR therapy, but the processing is blocked. A client is stuck on negative thoughts or beliefs. Despite the use of eye movements or taps (forms of bilateral stimulation), the client seems to be in a rut of negativity. Adaptive Information is not coming into the reprocessing.
Why Does It Happen
Looping can happen for a number of reasons. The most common is usually because the client has a significant trauma history, so there are a lot of thoughts and memories that may be overwhelming the client and making it difficult for adaptive information to get through.
Examples of complex trauma include:
childhood abuse
emotional neglect
sexual molestation
domestic violence
sexual exploitation and/or trafficking
cultural dislocation
repeated exposure to traumas as a first responder/front line worker
etc.
How Do You Work Through It
When a client is looping in the EMDR reprocessing, there are several interventions that can be helpful to promote the integration of adaptive information:
assess for a blocking belief
A client may sometimes struggle with an intense negative cognition, such as "It's my fault". By assessing for a belief that may be getting in the way, we can then determine if the use of a cognitive interweave is appropriate.
Cognitive Interweaves
intentional strategies used to "jump-start" the reprocessing, such as bringing "online" information that the client already knows but is not integrating into the process session
Use EMDR (restricted reprocessing)
this is when your therapist will restrict the channels of association so that the focus of the reprocessing can be more controlled. This is in contrast to EMDR (big R), in which the channels of association are allowed to flow more freely.
assess for feeder memories
sometimes there will be another memory that has not come into the processing, but that is contributing to the maladaptively stored information. Uncovered this feeder memory can help get things moving again.
There are several other ways to help get things moving if EMDR reprocessing seems blocked. Working with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant can help to conceptualize specific cases and figure out what may be the best intervention for the client. No two individuals are alike, so what works for one person, may not work for the other!
Essential Tools for Confident & Effective EMDR Therapy
Want to strengthen your use of Resource Development & Installation (RDI) and other essential EMDR techniques? The EMDR Coach Tools provide practical guidance, visual aids, and ready-to-use templates to help you stay grounded, organized, and effective in your sessions. Whether you're working on resourcing, treatment planning, or complex case navigation, this toolkit is designed to support you every step of the way.
Explore a growing collection of free EMDR Therapy resources—designed for EMDR-trained therapists, individuals on a trauma healing journey, and anyone curious about how EMDR works. Practical, accessible, and completely free.
If you're an EMDR-trained therapist seeking support, clarity, or confidence, you're not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Whether you're working toward EMDR Certification, returning after time away, or facing complex trauma cases, individualized consultation can make all the difference.
If you're an EMDR-trained therapist seeking support, clarity, or confidence, you're not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Whether you're working toward EMDR Certification, returning after time away, or facing complex trauma cases, individualized consultation can make all the difference.
Book a consultation with an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant to get the guidance and support you need.
About the Author
Dana Carretta-Stein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, and Carretta Consulting in Scarsdale, NY. She specializes in clinical psychotherapy to treat children, adolescents and adults with anxiety, behavior and trauma difficulties. She is a certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Dana is also a business marketing coach for wellness practitioners who are looking to build and grow their private practice. For more information, visit:
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