I finally had an EMDR session where the client just couldn't get into the process. Upon questioning it was discovered that the client couldn't use the free association of thoughts. As a remedy for avoiding the intense feelings he had created enough activities that he ended up blocking out his emotions by producing spinning thoughts.

I have seen this phenomena in the past where clients living in a threatening environment would develop coping strategies to avoid feelings. The results were quite disturbing. They would get violent with little remorse.