What is the Flash Technique in EMDR?
If you're researching EMDR therapy in Cincinnati, you might be feeling both hopeful and hesitant. Many women tell us they want to heal from trauma, but they're worried about what the process will actually feel like.
The thought of reliving painful memories can feel overwhelming, even when you know therapy could help. Here's what we want you to know: trauma treatment doesn't have to mean forcing yourself through unbearable emotional pain.
At Therapy Cincinnati, our EMDR-trained therapists use advanced techniques—including the Flash Technique—that are integrated right into your EMDR sessions to make trauma processing more tolerable. In this post, we'll explain what the Flash Technique is, how it works within EMDR, and why having access to this advanced tool matters for your healing journey.
What is the Flash Technique in EMDR?
The Flash Technique is an advanced tool that EMDR therapists integrate directly into therapy sessions when memories feel too overwhelming to process in the traditional way. It was developed in 2017 by psychologist Dr. Philip Manfield as a way to make EMDR more accessible for people who need a gentler approach.
Think of it as preparing the ground before planting seeds—the Flash Technique reduces the emotional intensity of a memory first, then EMDR processes that memory fully. Here's what makes the Flash Technique different: you don't have to consciously focus on or relive your traumatic memory while it's being reduced in intensity.
Instead, your brain does the healing work "in the background" while you focus on something positive and calming. Your therapist uses Flash Technique first to bring down the overwhelming distress, then usually will move into standard EMDR processing once the memory feels more manageable.
The Evidence Behind Flash Technique
The Flash Technique is evidence-based and research-backed, with studies showing it can significantly reduce trauma-related distress in as little as 10 to 45 minutes. It's typically not a replacement for EMDR—it usually used with EMDR, as a modified approach for particularly difficult memories.
Our therapists seamlessly integrate the Flash Technique into your overall EMDR treatment, moving fluidly between different techniques based on what you need in the moment. This flexibility makes EMDR therapy more accessible and effective for women with intense trauma histories.
How Does the Flash Technique Work Within EMDR?
Let's talk about what actually happens when your EMDR therapist uses the Flash Technique during your session. You'll work together to identify a disturbing memory that you want to process—but instead of using the traditional EMDR approach where you hold the memory in your mind, you'll use the Flash Technique.
You won't need to describe the memory in detail or immerse yourself in what happened. Your therapist will ask you to think of something positive and engaging—maybe a favorite place, a beloved pet, or a pleasant memory that makes you feel calm and safe.
The Flash Process
You'll spend most of the time focused on this positive experience. Then, very briefly—just for a quick "flash"—you'll glance at the disturbing memory before immediately returning to your positive focus. Your EMDR therapist will continue guiding you through these brief flashes while you remain grounded in the positive imagery.
Many clients are surprised by how much the memory's intensity decreases, allowing them to continue with other EMDR techniques in the same session or future sessions. You remain in control throughout the entire process, and most people find it far less overwhelming than they expected.
Who Benefits from Flash Technique During EMDR?
The Flash Technique is especially helpful for women who want EMDR therapy but have memories that feel too overwhelming to process in the traditional way. If you start EMDR and discover that a particular memory is too intense, your therapist can shift to using the Flash Technique right then and there.
Many of our Cincinnati clients benefit from having Flash Technique available when they tend to dissociate during memory processing or when certain memories feel like too much to think about.
Advanced EMDR Techniques in Cincinnati
At Therapy Cincinnati, we're committed to offering the most comprehensive and up-to-date EMDR therapy available. Very few EMDR therapists in the Cincinnati area are trained in the Flash Technique—it requires specialized training beyond standard EMDR certification.
Our therapists have invested in this advanced training so they can seamlessly integrate multiple approaches within your EMDR sessions. Having the Flash Technique as part of our EMDR toolkit means we never have to tell you a memory is "too difficult" to process.
Ready to Start EMDR Therapy in Cincinnati?
You don't have to know whether you'll need the Flash Technique during your EMDR therapy—that's something you and your therapist will figure out together. What matters is that you're ready to start healing from trauma, and our team has the advanced training to support you through every part of the process.
During your free 15-minute phone consultation, we'll discuss your specific concerns about EMDR therapy and answer all your questions about how we integrate techniques like Flash Technique into treatment. You'll learn about how our therapists work, what EMDR sessions might look like for you, and whether we're a good fit for each other.
Take the First Step Today
We'll also talk about our specialized training in advanced EMDR techniques and how we adapt our approach based on what you need. Book your free 15-minute consultation with Therapy Cincinnati today.
Starting EMDR takes courage, but you don't have to worry about whether you'll be able to handle the process. Our therapists are trained in multiple approaches—including Flash Technique—that we integrate seamlessly into your EMDR sessions based on what you need.
Take that first small step today. You deserve trauma treatment that feels safe, and with Flash Technique integrated into our EMDR therapy in Cincinnati, healing is possible without retraumatization.