Flash Technique of EMDR Therapy: What is it?
The Flash Technique is a supplement to EMDR therapy when treating psychological trauma. It allows individuals to indirectly reprocess distressing memories, avoiding the most painful aspects. This method helps prevent defensive and dissociative reactions that can occur when working with painful and distressing memories. Developed by Philip Manfield, the technique was initially designed for clients overwhelmed by direct trauma processing. Its use is particularly crucial for individuals with PTSD, Complex PTSD, and Dissociative Disorders.
What is the Flash Technique?
The Flash Technique (FT), developed by Philip Manfield, is a relatively recent, evidence-informed therapeutic intervention designed to reduce the disturbance associated with traumatic or distressing memories. Unlike many conventional trauma therapies, it is a minimally intrusive approach that does not require the client to consciously engage with the traumatic memory (Reference: Manfield)
- The client does not fully engage with the traumatic memory
- Instead, they keep attention on a positive or neutral focus
- The brain processes the trauma indirectly, in the background
As described by Manfield, this makes it possible to process memories that would otherwise feel intolerable or overwhelming for the client.
Who invented the EMDR-Flash Technique?
Dr. Phil Manfield developed this technique so clients with trauma symptoms do not need to access deeply painful or shame-based memories, as doing so could create overwhelm and an inability to engage with such work and achieve good outcomes. Please read Dr. Manfield’s summary here: Click here.
What is the difference between the Flash Technique and EMDR?
The Flash Technique processes trauma indirectly without requiring conscious recall, whereas EMDR involves direct engagement with the traumatic memory while using bilateral stimulation.
What are the steps of the Flash technique of EMDR?
Briefly, these are the steps of the Flash Technique of EMDR Therapy.
- Identify the target memory (no detailed recounting required)
- Create a Positive Engaging Focus (PEF), such as a safe place or meaningful image
- Introduce brief attention shifts (“flashes”) while maintaining focus on the PEF
- Optional bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements or tapping)
- Observe reduction in distress, often within minutes
The Flash Technique has been shown to reduce disturbance associated with highly distressing memories, sometimes within as little as 10–15 minutes (ref: Manfield)
The Flash Technique is a specialised mental health intervention and should be delivered by a trained and licensed therapist (ref: Manfield)
Video explaining what the Flash Technique in EMDR is.
Is there any research evidence for the Flash Technique?
For a full list of research articles, please click here: flashtechnique.com/research/
Emerging research suggests that the Flash Technique (FT) is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective intervention for reducing the emotional intensity of distressing memories.
- Studies involving over 600 participants show significant reductions in distress after brief interventions (often around 15 minutes), with large effect sizes and minimal adverse reactions.
- Improvements are often maintained over time, including at follow-up weeks or months later.
- FT has been shown to reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, and dissociation across different populations.
- Research suggests FT may produce outcomes comparable to EMDR in reducing emotional intensity, while being experienced as more tolerable.
- FT has been successfully used in group settings, disaster contexts, and low-resource environments, supporting its scalability.
While findings are promising, the evidence base is still developing, and further large-scale controlled studies are needed to better understand its mechanisms and long-term effectiveness.
How does the EMDR-Flash Technique work?
From a neurobiological perspective, the Flash Technique appears to allow activation of traumatic memory networks outside of full conscious awareness, potentially reducing amygdala-driven threat responses while maintaining a sense of safety.
This may allow traumatic material to be processed without triggering the full defensive response or DISSOCIATION, making it particularly useful for clients with strong protective systems (read more on this in the INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS page).
The Flash Technique is thought to influence the brain’s orienting response—the initial automatic reaction to a potentially threatening stimulus. In trauma, this response can become “locked” in place. By introducing brief attention shifts (“flashes”), the brain may be able to disengage from this stuck pattern and update the memory in a safer, more adaptive way.
Why is the Flash Technique helpful in EMDR therapy?
Flash is particularly useful when:
- Clients are highly dissociative
- There is severe overwhelm or fear of EMDR
- There are early attachment or preverbal traumas
- The system is protectively blocking access
It allows you to:
- Lower SUD rapidly
- Prepare for deeper EMDR or DBR processing
| Feature | Flash Technique (Phil Manfield) | Standard EMDR |
|---|---|---|
| Trauma engagement | Indirect (no conscious focus on memory) | Direct (client focuses on trauma) |
| Emotional intensity | Low / minimal distress | Moderate to high possible |
| Client focus | Positive or neutral focus (PEF) | Traumatic memory + bilateral stimulation |
| Memory detail needed | No | Often yes |
| Mechanism | Indirect processing with brief activation (“flash”) | Dual attention + bilateral stimulation |
| Distress exposure | Minimised | Some exposure required |
| Speed | Often rapid | Variable |
| Best suited for | Overwhelmed, dissociative, avoidant clients | Clients tolerating direct processing |
| Role | Preparation / adjunct / standalone | Core trauma processing |
How will the Flash Technique help?
The Flash Technique is used in trauma therapy, particularly within EMDR, as a way to reduce distress before deeper processing begins. Once the distress levels reduce, the client can approach the traumatic memory with more confidence and less fear and overwhelm.
Who does the Flash technique help?
Flash Technique may be helpful for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
- Dissociation (mild to severe)
- Trauma-related distress
Source: Manfield
Is the Flash Technique safe?
The Flash Technique is designed to minimize distress and is generally well tolerated, particularly for individuals who find direct trauma processing overwhelming.
Can the Flash Technique replace EMDR?
Flash Technique is typically used as a preparatory or adjunct intervention, though in some cases it may be used as a standalone approach.
Can the Flash Technique be integrated with other therapies?
Yes, the EMDR-Flash technique can be a step before other therapies.
The Flash Technique can be used alongside a range of trauma-informed therapies. In Internal Family Systems (IFS), it may support the process of “unburdening.” In exposure-based therapies, the intensity of exposure can be reduced. In cognitive therapies, it may enhance openness to new, adaptive perspectives (ref: Manfield)
DEEP BRAIN REORIENTING THERAPY can be preceded by the Flash technique, making the work less overwhelming.
About Dr. Millia
Dr. Millia Begum
is a British-trained Consultant Psychiatrist and an expert trauma specialist with over 25 years of clinical experience in psychiatry and therapy.
She is a EMDRIA Approved Therapist & Consultant, an EMDR researcher, and a former board member of the EMDR Association UK. She uses EMDR, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Therapy and is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist. She brings a compassionate, parts-informed approach to her work with clients in Dubai.
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Explore Related Trauma & Therapy Resources
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is part of a comprehensive trauma-informed treatment approach. Explore these related pages to understand how DBR integrates with other therapies and trauma conditions.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
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Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and trauma-informed treatment planning in Dubai.
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