Freud spent a lifetime uncovering denied emotions that operated unconsciously whether people liked it or not. You can deny their existence if you like, but I think most people in the psychological professions would not.
I'm well aware of Freud and denied emotions. I just think that sometimes we jump to conclusions about whether a person is really in denial, or just not letting
us in. There is indeed a difference.
If a guy is in a board meeting, and someone pisses him off, he will likely remain relaxed and continue behaving as he had earlier in the meeting. Meanwhile, inside he is seething. This is an example of a man who is perfectly in touch with his feelings, but due to time, place, and present company, chooses not to express himself. That is not denial.
True denial is when the man tells himself that he's not really angry. Maybe he tells himself that he's overreacting. Maybe he tells himself that he's just tired. Or hungry. Or hung over.