128: The Truth About Dissociation in EMDR [Beneath the Protocol Series]
Jun 10, 2026
Why does EMDR sometimes feel like it stops working?
In this episode of the Zero Disturbance podcast, Kambria Evans breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in EMDR and trauma therapy: dissociation.
If you’ve ever experienced:
- Clients shutting down mid-session
- Flat affect or “nothing’s coming up”
- Looping without resolution
- EMDR suddenly “not working”
This episode will help you make sense of it through a brain-based therapy lens.
You’ll learn:
- Why dissociation is not zoning out—but system organization
- How dissociation regulates access to trauma memory networks
- Why EMDR can hit a wall with complex trauma
- How parts and protectors manage exposure in real time
- What clinicians actually need to do instead
This is essential listening for EMDR clinicians working with:
- Complex trauma
- Dissociation
- Nervous system dysregulation
The Consultation Program
If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or underprepared working with dissociation—this is exactly why the Zero Disturbance Consultation Program exists.
Inside, we teach:
✔️ How dissociation structures access in real time
✔️ Parts-informed, brain-based EMDR
✔️ Nervous system tracking + system mapping
✔️ What to do when EMDR “stops working” with the Zero Disturbance Systems Method
✔️ How to work with complex trauma safely and confidently
👉 Apply here: https://www.zerodisturbance.com/consultation-2022
Come learn with us at Zero Disturbance:
Want to learn more about empowering yourself on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, here's more ways to learn with Kambria! https://www.zerodisturbance.com/workwithkambria
We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.
Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle, https://www.zerodisturbance.com/free-resources
Note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. If you’re experiencing difficulties, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health provider. All stories, examples, and characters shared are fictionalized or composite representations. Any resemblance to actual persons or situations is purely coincidental and intended solely for educational illustration.
With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.
