Innerwell combines personalized guidance from licensed therapists with cutting-edge psychedelic medicine. Now serving patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Virginia, Minnesota and Washington State. || Innerwell Reflections

Innerwell Reflections

Reflections

Find a Clinician by State

Find a Psychiatrist

Find a Therapist

Find Ketamine Treatment

Find EMDR Therapy

EMDR

Ketamine Treatment

Psychedelic Integration

psychiatry

therapy

arizona-mental-health

california-mental-health

colorado-mental-health

connecticut-mental-health

Delaware

florida-mental-health

georgia-mental-health

idaho-mental-health

illinois-mental-health

iowa-mental-health

Kentucky

maine-mental-health

massachusetts-mental-health

michigan-mental-health

minnesota-mental-health

montana-mental-health

Nebraska

nevada-mental-health

new-hampshire-mental-health

new-jersey-mental-health

new-york-mental-health

north-carolina-mental-health

ohio-mental-health

oregon-mental-health

pennsylvania-mental-health

tennessee-mental-health

texas-mental-health

utah-mental-health

vermont-mental-health

virginia-mental-health

washington-mental-health

wisconsin-mental-health

About

Refer a Patient to Innerwell

Work With Us

Reviews

Why Innerwell

Contact

Affiliate Program

Ketamine for Depression

Ketamine for Anxiety

Ketamine for PTSD

Ketamine for Postpartum Depression

Welcome! What service are you primarily interested in?

Innerwell Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

Innerwell Telehealth and Informed Consent

Page Not found. It's okay, we all get a little lost from time to time.

KBS, Inc. and its affiliates (“Innerwell”) provide a platform that connects medical professionals with individuals. Innerwell does not control or direct the activity of the medical professionals providing care through the platform. Innerwell does not provide medical advice and nothing on the platform should be considered medical advice.

National Wellness Month Savings - Save 15% on new care programs with code WELLNESS15

You know those moments when you’re not sad, you’re not panicked, you’re just not feeling much of anything?

This emotional flatness—often described as emotional numbness—is more common than many people realize. At Innerwell, we see this pattern in individuals recovering from trauma, burnout, depression, or chronic stress. It’s quiet, easy to miss—and deeply disruptive to everyday life. You might laugh at jokes, answer emails, and even show up for others—but inside, everything feels muted.

Here’s the truth: emotional numbness isn’t permanent. And it isn’t who you are. It’s a protective response from a system that’s been under strain for too long. And there are ways to feel again—safely, gradually, and with support.

Emotional numbness is a reduced ability to feel emotions—both positive and negative. For many, it’s not about feeling “sad” or “low,” but about feeling nothing at all. This emotional blunting can impact your ability to connect with others, find joy in things you once loved, or even respond emotionally to life’s highs and lows.

"Going through the motions" with no real emotional engagement

A disconnection from joy, love, pain, or grief—even during big life events

A loss of motivation, interest, or pleasure, known clinically as anhedonia

A sense of detachment from your body, thoughts, or the people around you

Flatness or apathy, even when you want to care or feel more

Some people describe it as “being underwater,” “watching life through glass,” or “living on autopilot.” And while it can feel like disinterest or laziness from the outside, emotional numbness is your nervous system’s way of protecting you from overload or unresolved pain.

It’s important to remember: emotional numbness is a symptom—not a personality flaw. It doesn’t mean you’re broken or unloving. It often means your mind and body have adapted to stress or trauma in a way that prioritizes survival over sensation. And with the right tools and support, it’s absolutely possible to feel again.

Emotional numbness doesn’t happen randomly—it’s the nervous system doing what it’s designed to do: protect you. When life becomes overwhelming, exhausting, or traumatic, your brain and body may start to disconnect from feelings as a way to survive. While this response might help in the short term, it can create longer-term challenges in fully experiencing life.

Several factors can contribute to emotional numbness, including:

Trauma: One of the most common roots of numbness. When we experience something too painful to process, the nervous system can initiate a "freeze" or "shutdown" response to help us endure it. Over time, this protective response can become the default mode—even when the danger has passed.

Depression and anxiety: These aren’t just about sadness or worry. Both can dull emotional range and blunt responsiveness in key areas of the brain, like the prefrontal cortex and limbic system. People often report feeling “flat,” unable to cry or laugh, and disconnected from things they once loved.

Burnout and chronic stress: When your system is flooded with cortisol over long periods, it can lead to emotional exhaustion. The brain shifts from creative and emotional processing to basic survival. The result? A foggy, numb feeling that makes even small joys feel out of reach.

Medication side effects: Some medications, particularly antidepressants (like SSRIs), antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers, may reduce emotional highs and lows to prevent distress—but sometimes, they dull everything, including happiness and excitement.

Dissociation: This is a mental escape hatch. When reality becomes too painful, the brain may “check out” or detach from the present moment. While this can offer temporary relief, chronic dissociation can block access to real-time emotional experience and connection.

At Innerwell, we don’t see numbness as something broken that needs fixing. We see it as a signal—a clue from your system that it’s done its best to protect you. Our work is to help you gently tune back in. Through trauma-informed care, safe therapeutic exploration, and treatments that support emotional reconnection, we walk with you as you learn to feel again—at your own pace.

When you’re emotionally numb, the absence of distress can feel deceptively calm—like you’re floating above your life, untouched by the turbulence below. But over time, that disconnection comes at a cost. Because while numbness protects you from pain, it also creates distance from joy, intimacy, and meaning.

Relationship strain: When you’re cut off from your emotions, it becomes harder to connect with others. Loved ones may feel shut out, misinterpret your quiet as coldness, or grow distant from the lack of shared emotional depth. This can erode closeness in friendships, partnerships, and families.

Social withdrawal or empathy fatigue: You may struggle to engage in conversations, feel emotionally present, or respond with warmth. Some people describe feeling like they’re “acting” rather than authentically participating in social life.

Loss of meaning or motivation: Without emotional engagement, even the things you used to care about—creative work, hobbies, goals—can feel hollow. You may wonder what the point is, or why nothing feels satisfying anymore. This sense of purposelessness can fuel depressive symptoms and existential fatigue.

Guilt or shame for not "feeling right": Many people judge themselves harshly for not reacting the way they think they “should.” You might wonder, “Why didn’t I cry at the funeral?” or “Why can’t I feel excited about this milestone?” These internal criticisms only deepen the disconnection.

Misdiagnosis or over-medication: Emotional numbness is often misunderstood, especially in clinical settings where symptoms like low motivation or blunted affect may be mistaken for laziness, resistance, or treatment failure. This can lead to unnecessary medication changes or the overlooking of trauma-related roots.

The reality is: feeling nothing can be just as painful as feeling too much.

And perhaps even more isolating—because it’s harder to explain. At Innerwell, we hear this every day from patients who say things like, “I don’t feel broken, but I don’t feel whole either.” Our job is to help them bridge that gap—not by forcing emotions, but by creating the safety and support needed for those feelings to emerge naturally, at their own pace.

How to Start Feeling Again—Safely and Sustainably

Reconnecting with your emotions doesn’t mean diving headfirst into overwhelm. It means learning to create safety inside your body and mind—so your nervous system knows it’s okay to feel again. Healing emotional numbness is a process of gentle curiosity, not force.

You don’t have to “fix” your numbness to begin healing—you just have to notice it. Start by observing:

Are there moments when you feel even a flicker of emotion?

What activities, people, or environments make you feel safe—or shut down?

Innerwell’s App can help. Mood tracking, journaling prompts, and daily check-ins offer a way to spot patterns over time—without pressure or shame. Awareness opens the door to reconnection.

2. Reboot Emotional Circuits with Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

When emotional blunting feels entrenched, traditional therapy alone may not be enough. That’s where Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT) can help.

Increase neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new emotional pathways

Reduce symptoms of anhedonia in treatment-resistant depression

Loosen the grip of deeply ingrained thought loops and shutdown states

At Innerwell, KAT is offered in the comfort of your home and guided by licensed clinicians. We’ve found it especially helpful for those who feel emotionally “stuck” or disconnected, even after years of talk therapy.

3. Process Root Causes Through EMDR or Trauma-Informed Therapy

Emotional numbness often has a root—and it’s usually not laziness, apathy, or lack of willpower. It’s something that once felt too overwhelming to feel.

That’s why therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be so effective. EMDR helps safely access and process painful memories stored in the nervous system—without needing to relive the trauma in full detail.

Our therapists at Innerwell are trained to hold space gently. We don’t rush or push. We walk with you, at your pace, through the process of thawing frozen emotions and reclaiming what was shut down.

4. Reconnect Through Micro-Moments of Sensory Joy

You don’t have to feel everything at once. Rebuilding emotional capacity often starts with tiny sparks of sensation:

Inhaling a scent that reminds you of childhood

Moving your body in a way that feels good (not punishing)

Placing your hand on your heart and simply breathing

These moments are small—but neurologically powerful. They help your body feel safe again, so emotion can return naturally, not forcibly.

Numbness Is a Sign You’ve Survived—Not That You’ve Failed

Numbness is not a personal failure. It’s not laziness or weakness, rather a brilliant adaptation—a way your nervous system learned to protect you from overwhelm, loss, or pain. In fact, it’s proof that your mind and body were trying to help you survive.

But you deserve more than survival.

You deserve to feel joy again. To feel connected to people you love. To feel awe when the sun sets, softness when someone hugs you, and peace—not just quiet—in your own mind.

At Innerwell, we walk beside you—without pressure, without shame. With evidence-based therapies, at-home ketamine care, and trauma-informed support, we help you gently return to the full spectrum of your emotional self.

Start reconnecting—with compassionate care, gentle tools, and a team who gets it. Take our free mental health screener to begin your healing journey today.

Struggling with emotional numbness? Learn how therapies like ketamine and EMDR help reconnect you with your emotions and find healing. Start your journey today.

Healing Emotional Numbness | Innerwell Therapy

Introduction

What Is Emotional Numbness?

What Causes Emotional Numbness?

The Hidden Cost of Feeling Nothing

The Quiet Epidemic: Emotional Numbness

Anxiety disorders affect millions worldwide, stealing joy and peace from those who suffer. While traditional treatments like SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy help many, a significant portion of patients show partial or no response. 

For these individuals, ketamine therapy for anxiety offers a promising alternative with rapid relief, often within hours, unlike conventional medications that take weeks. 

At Innerwell, we provide expert-guided ketamine therapy combined with personalized support and integration techniques, helping you find fast, lasting relief when traditional methods aren’t enough.

Understanding Anxiety: The Emotional and Physical Impact

Anxiety disorders rank among the most common mental health conditions, touching millions of lives worldwide. These include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While occasional anxiety is normal, anxiety disorders bring persistent, excessive worry that hijacks daily life.

The emotional toll includes excessive worry, constant dread, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and intense fear. Physically, anxiety manifests as racing heart, shortness of breath, muscle tension, sweating, nausea, and sleep disturbances.

One particularly challenging aspect of anxiety is how it perpetuates itself. Fear leads to avoidance, which reinforces the anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.

In the brain, anxiety disorders manifest as dysregulation in key areas. People with anxiety often have an overactive amygdala—the brain's fear center—paired with reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, which normally helps regulate emotions.

Anxiety significantly impacts work performance, relationships, education, and physical health. Between 30% and 63% of individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder also meet the criteria for unipolar depression, highlighting why comprehensive care matters so much. 

What Is Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety and How Does It Work?

Ketamine therapy for anxiety works primarily by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, changing how glutamate functions in the brain.

Ketamine eases anxiety by working on several levels in the brain. It blocks NMDA receptors to reduce overstimulation and activates AMPA receptors, which support rapid relief. It also boosts neuroplasticity and helps rebuild neural connections in mood and anxiety-related regions.

One of ketamine's most striking features is how fast it works. Unlike typical medications that may take weeks, ketamine's impact can show improvement almost immediately, often bringing relief within hours.

Doctors can administer ketamine through IV infusion, intranasal spray (esketamine), or oral/sublingual formulations.

Common side effects include feeling disconnected from reality, perception changes, and temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate. That's why ketamine therapy should always happen under medical supervision.

Clinical Evidence: Effectiveness of Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety

Recent studies and reviews show ketamine's potential to help patients with hard-to-treat anxiety. A comprehensive systematic review examined ketamine's effectiveness for stubborn anxiety, suggesting ketamine infusion therapy helps treat anxiety disorders that haven't responded to traditional treatments.

A 2022 systemic review found that IV ketamine significantly reduced anxiety symptoms compared to other treatments.

Unlike typical medications that take weeks to become effective, ketamine's effects can appear within 24 hours, making it invaluable for urgent cases.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adults with social anxiety disorder found that IV ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced anxiety symptoms compared to placebo. Participants were much more likely to respond to ketamine within the first two weeks, with response rates of 33% versus 0% on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.

For generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a 2022 systematic review found studies using ascending subcutaneous ketamine doses given weekly showed great potential, with promising response rates.

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has been shown to provide lasting relief from anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms—even in individuals with treatment-resistant histories. Many experience meaningful improvement that can extend for up to six months after treatment.

The Innerwell Approach to Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety

At Innerwell, we've created a comprehensive telehealth model for delivering ketamine therapy for anxiety patients, combining the benefits of ketamine treatment with the convenience of digital healthcare.

Our program starts with a virtual assessment by licensed mental health professionals to determine if ketamine therapy suits each patient. Based on this assessment, we create a personalized treatment plan addressing specific anxiety symptoms and needs.

Patients in different states can benefit from our at-home ketamine therapy and access this innovative treatment in the comfort of your own home. This supervised home treatment removes access barriers and may reduce anxiety associated with clinical settings. It also reduces travel needs and time off work, making it easier for patients to integrate ketamine therapy into their lives. 

We prioritize patient safety through comprehensive medical screening, thorough medication review to prevent adverse interactions, blood pressure monitoring before and during treatment, specific fasting and preparation guidelines, and preventive anti-nausea medication. These safety measures ensure ketamine therapy is administered as safely and effectively as possible.

Our proprietary Innerwell app allows patients to track mood and symptoms, connect with their care team, access educational resources, and schedule treatment sessions. This enables regular monitoring and timely adjustments to treatment plans.

We recognize ketamine therapy works best when combined with traditional psychotherapy. Our program integrates ketamine administration with therapy sessions, helping patients process their experiences and address underlying anxiety issues. 

For those interested in deeper exploration, we offer psychedelic integration therapy to enhance the therapeutic benefits of ketamine treatment. This holistic approach aims to provide more comprehensive and lasting anxiety relief.

Additionally, we provide online therapy options to support our patients throughout their healing journey.

Addressing Common Concerns About Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety

Ketamine therapy has emerged as a powerful option for treating anxiety—especially when traditional approaches haven’t worked. But if you’re considering it, it’s completely natural to have concerns about the side effects. 

Many people experience mild, short-term effects like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, or feeling detached from their surroundings (a state called dissociation). These typically fade quickly. In rare cases, ketamine may cause increased heart rate or blood pressure. That’s why, at Innerwell, our psychiatry services start with a thorough medical evaluation and monitor your treatment closely to ensure your safety.

Some worry about ketamine’s potential for misuse. It’s true that, in recreational settings, ketamine can be abused. But in a clinical setting like Innerwell’s, where dosage is carefully managed and your care is closely supervised, the risk of addiction is very low.

One of the most talked-about effects of ketamine is the dissociative experience. This altered state may feel unfamiliar at first, but many people find it surprisingly helpful for gaining new emotional perspective. At Innerwell, we prepare you for what to expect and provide support throughout your treatment.

Another common question is about long-term safety. Research into repeated ketamine treatment is ongoing, but current evidence supports its safety when used responsibly under medical care. Our protocols are designed with this in mind—balancing results with long-term wellbeing.

Take Control of Anxiety with Expert-Guided Ketamine Therapy

Living with anxiety can feel overwhelming—constant worry, sleepless nights, and the frustration when treatments don’t provide relief. Many people face this, especially when traditional options like therapy or medications don’t work well enough. 

Ketamine therapy offers a fast, effective alternative by targeting the brain differently, often bringing relief within hours. This treatment can help reset the brain’s anxiety response, giving you a chance to regain control and find lasting peace.

If anxiety has been holding you back, take the first step toward relief. Take our free assessment today to see if ketamine therapy at Innerwell could be the right fit for you

What is ketamine therapy for anxiety and how does it reduce symptoms?

Ketamine therapy for anxiety targets anxiety at its neurobiological roots as an NMDA receptor antagonist, changing glutamate transmission and promoting brain plasticity. This helps disrupt unhelpful neural circuits tied to anxiety, allowing new thought patterns and emotional responses to form.

How quickly can ketamine therapy for anxiety relieve symptoms?

Unlike traditional medications that often take weeks to work, ketamine therapy can produce rapid relief, with effects beginning within 40 minutes and lasting up to 14 days in some cases.

What side effects might occur during treatment?

Common side effects include feeling disconnected from reality, dizziness, nausea, and temporary blood pressure increases. Most effects fade within hours after treatment. Serious side effects are rare.

Who is eligible for ketamine therapy for anxiety?

Ketamine therapy typically helps patients with treatment-resistant anxiety. Some conditions may rule out ketamine use, including uncontrolled high blood pressure, history of psychosis, or severe liver disease. A comprehensive screening process determines eligibility.

How long do ketamine therapy's benefits last for anxiety sufferers?

Ketamine therapy's anxiety-relieving effects vary between people. While a single ketamine infusion’s effects are relatively short-lived, repeated or maintenance ketamine treatments can sustain anxiety relief for much longer periods, potentially up to a year.

Discover how ketamine therapy offers quick relief for anxiety when traditional treatments fail. Learn about its unique mechanism and clinical evidence here.

Ketamine Therapy: Rapid Anxiety Relief & Breakthrough

FAQs

Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety: A Promising Treatment

Trauma can leave deep wounds that affect your thoughts, emotions, and daily life. Finding the right support is often challenging, especially when access to care feels limited or overwhelming.

Online therapy offers a compassionate, flexible way to begin healing from trauma. You can work with licensed therapists who guide you safely through evidence-based treatments—all from the comfort of your own space.

At Innerwell, we understand how personal this journey is. Our skilled clinicians provide tailored care designed to meet you where you are. 

Understanding Trauma: Symptoms and Impact

Trauma can show up in many ways—flashbacks, constant alertness, emotional numbness, and avoiding anything that reminds you of the experience. These reactions are not signs of weakness; they are natural responses to events that overwhelm the mind and body.

Trauma takes different forms. Acute trauma stems from a single, intense event. Chronic trauma develops from ongoing stressful situations. Complex trauma often arises from repeated experiences, especially during childhood.

Without support, trauma can lead to conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It can affect relationships, making trust and emotional balance difficult.

Because trauma affects everyone differently, personalized, trauma-informed care is essential. Remember, trauma is something that happened to you—not a definition of who you are. All you need is the right support to heal. 

What Is Online Therapy for Trauma and How Does It Work?

Online therapy for trauma offers a compassionate, accessible path to healing. Through secure video sessions, phone calls, or messaging, you can connect with licensed therapists from the comfort of your own space—on your schedule.

Several proven therapies translate well to online care. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps shift harmful thinking patterns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), offered through online EMDR therapy, uses virtual techniques to process traumatic memories. Trauma-Focused CBT supports children and teens, while Somatic Experiencing addresses trauma stored in the body.

Treatment begins with a thorough assessment and continues with personalized, ongoing care. Online therapy brings evidence-based support to your doorstep—reducing PTSD, anxiety, and depression while honoring your pace and privacy.

Clinical Evidence: Effectiveness of Online Therapy for Trauma

A growing body of clinical research confirms that online therapy is a safe, effective option for treating trauma and PTSD. A 2023 trial of internet-based cognitive therapy (iCT-PTSD) showed a 77% recovery rate—on par with in-person care—with lasting symptom relief. In 2025, an early-stage trial with adolescents revealed significant, sustained improvements in PTSD, anxiety, and depression through therapist-supported online therapy.

The RAPID trial (2022) found that guided, trauma-focused internet CBT was just as effective as face-to-face therapy, with over 60% of participants maintaining progress at one year. Smaller studies echo these results. 

One pilot showed 80% of patients achieved remission through internet-delivered CT-PTSD, with reduced therapist time. A 2024 case study even documented full remission from severe, chronic PTSD after intensive online treatment with EMDR and prolonged exposure.

Meta-analyses consistently support these findings, showing moderate to large reductions in PTSD symptoms through online CBT. Taken together, this research confirms that digital trauma-focused therapy is not only clinically sound—it’s also accessible, sustainable, and life-changing.

The Innerwell Approach to Online Therapy for Trauma

At Innerwell, we offer online therapy with a compassionate, whole-person approach to trauma healing that’s grounded in clinical excellence and designed to meet you where you are.

Your healing begins with a comprehensive evaluation conducted through a secure video platform with informed consent. From there, our licensed trauma-informed therapists craft a treatment plan tailored specifically to your history, symptoms, and goals. 

We rely on evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and EMDR—each proven to help reduce the emotional weight of past trauma and rewire the brain’s response to distress.

What makes Innerwell unique is how we pair expert care with supportive technology. Through the Innerwell app, you can track symptoms, prepare for sessions with guided reflection tools, and stay in touch with your care team between appointments. Our digital platform is HIPAA-compliant, offering both safety and flexibility—so you can focus on your healing without logistical stress.

But we don’t stop at CBT and EMDR. Innerwell also offers access to emerging treatments like psychedelic integration therapy, somatic therapy, psychiatry and medication management. Whether you're navigating complex trauma, exploring alternative pathways like ketamine-assisted therapy, or seeking structured support after a breakthrough experience, we’re here to guide you with care and respect.

Explore how online therapy for trauma offers a path to healing. Learn about its benefits, techniques, and impact on PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Reflections

The Quiet Epidemic: Emotional Numbness

Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety: A Promising Treatment

Finding Support: Online Therapy for Trauma

Veterans Psychedelic Therapy: Healing Our Heroes

Finding Relief: Online Therapy for Anxiety

Finding Relief: Online Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

EMDR Therapy for PTSD in Veterans: Healing the Invisible Wounds