The Flash Technique, virtually painless trauma treatment
What is the flash technique?
The flash technique is a treatment that arose from the field of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). It is often used with EMDR but can be used alone. As it has some similarities with EMDR, it may be beneficial to read our section on EMDR first. Created by psychologist Phil Manfield, the flash technique (FT) has been helpful in relieving the distress of severely painful memories if a very short period of time. As Dr. Manfield explains:
The flash technique is a treatment that arose from the field of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). It is often used with EMDR but can be used alone. As it has some similarities with EMDR, it may be beneficial to read our section on EMDR first. Created by psychologist Phil Manfield, the flash technique (FT) has been helpful in relieving the distress of severely painful memories if a very short period of time. As Dr. Manfield explains:
Originally developed as an addition to the preparation phase of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), FT has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the disturbance level associated with severely painful memories, sometimes in as little as ten to fifteen minutes. Like EMDR, FT utilizes eye movements or alternating tapping and is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain.
FT may be used as an adjunctive intervention to make a variety of trauma-informed psychotherapies quicker and better tolerated. In Internal Family Systems, it can aid in “unburdening.” In various exposure therapies, it can reduce exposure-related disturbance. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it can increase client receptiveness to reparative adult perspectives.
FT can be a helpful addition to EMDR work or it can be a stand alone treatment. Either way, it is an extremely powerful technique. To see videos of Dr. Manfield using FT with actual clients, click here.
What is experiencing the flash technique like? Dr. Manfield explains it with the following:
What is experiencing the flash technique like? Dr. Manfield explains it with the following:
A Flash Technique-trained therapist will begin by asking the client to identify a trauma memory. A principle underlying the Flash Technique is that unresolved traumatic memories are responsible for most non-organic symptoms. If the client presents with a symptom not associated with a specific memory, the therapist will help the client to find the memory that seems to be generating the symptom. After this “target” memory has been identified, the therapist will ask the client to turn his or her attention to a positive a positive and engaging memory, image, activity, piece of music or visualization. While continuing to focus on this positive distraction, the client periodically is asked to momentarily interrupt that focus. Processing of the target memory is accomplished without the client consciously attending to the original disturbing memory.
We are excited to offer this powerful technique to you
Feel free to contact us to find out how it can be used as a wellness solution for you