The Flash Technique

The Flash Technique (FT) is a recently developed therapeutic intervention for reducing the disturbance associated with traumatic or other distressing memories. Unlike many other trauma therapy interventions, FT is a minimally intrusive option that does not require the client to consciously engage with the traumatic memory. This allows the client to process traumatic memories without feeling distress or sharing their traumatic experiences with clinician.

A therapist will begin by asking the client to identify a traumatic memory. A concept underlying the Flash Technique is that unresolved traumatic memories are responsible for most of our non-physical symptoms. After this traumatic memory has been identified, the therapist will ask the client to turn their attention to a positively charged memory, image, activity, piece of music or visualization. While continuing to focus on this positive memory, the client occasionally is asked to interrupt that focus and blink. Processing of the traumatic or negative memory is accomplished without the client consciously talking about it or attending to the original traumatic and disturbing memory.