The Flash Technique

is a gentle and effective approach for reducing the emotional impact of painful memories, without requiring discussion or full recall of the traumatic experience.

Initially developed by Dr. Philip Manfield, Flash is now being used worldwide by EMDR-trained therapists as a powerful preparation tool or standalone intervention. It is beneficial for people who find direct exposure to trauma too overwhelming or distressing.

I have completed advanced training in the Flash Technique, and integrate it as part of a trauma-informed approach tailored to each client’s pace and nervous system readiness.

How it Works

Using guided eye movements or tapping, the technique activates the brain’s natural ability to process distress while keeping the client focused on a positive, engaging thought (such as a pleasant image, memory or song). The upsetting memory is only lightly and briefly brought to awareness—often outside of conscious focus—allowing emotional intensity to reduce safely and gently.

Who is it for?

Flash Technique is suitable for:

• Clients who feel stuck or flooded when working with trauma
• Those who avoid thinking about distressing experiences
• People with complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety or phobias
• Anyone wanting a gentle start to trauma therapy

It can be used alone or within an EMDR framework to prepare the nervous system and reduce emotional reactivity before more in-depth memory work.

What the Research Says

Flash Technique is supported by growing clinical research:

✅ In a randomised controlled trial with traffic accident survivors, Flash significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, anxiety and intrusive thoughts—outperforming standard stress management techniques (Manfield et al., 2021).

✅ A 2021 lab-based study compared Flash to EMDR with healthy adults and found both were effective in reducing the emotional intensity of negative memories. Importantly, Flash was rated as more pleasant and more straightforward to tolerate (Weber et al., 2021, Frontiers in Psychology).

✅ Clinical case studies show that Flash can help clients of all ages begin processing trauma with less distress and greater emotional safety (Manfield et al., 2017).

A Trauma-Sensitive Option

Clients often tell me they are surprised at how light and tolerable this method feels. You don’t need to talk about what happened or go into detail. Your nervous system does the work, with support, gentleness, and guidance.

If you’re curious about whether the Flash Technique could help you begin working with painful experiences, I’d be happy to discuss this with you.

“It’s like your mind takes a deep breath, and suddenly the memory feels far less powerful.” — Client feedback.