What is Flash Therapy?
What is Flash Therapy? (Hint: No lights are used)
You have decided that you have had your last sleepless night. You are tired of feeling anxious and are exhausted trying to keep uncomfortable thoughts and feelings at bay. You are going to make the call and schedule a therapy appointment.
Maybe it was a recent car accident that is on your mind, or you are repeatedly waking in the middle of the night with feelings of panic and dread. For some it might be the death of a loved one, or intrusive uncomfortable memories that are cycling in your head. Whatever the reason that brings you to therapy, most of us are looking for some symptom relief.
Just as there are a multitude of reasons for seeking therapy, there are many therapeutic approaches that are successful in meeting your goals. One approach is Flash Therapy. According to Dr Philip Manfield, creator of Flash therapy, Flash therapy enables you to process unresolved traumatic memories in your brain. Flash Therapy is based on the premise of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) that was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro.
Dr Manfield’s therapy protocol however differs from EMDR in that during your therapy session you do not talk about the upsetting memories. Yes, you read that correctly. While you identify to yourself what is the issue, you do not share it with the therapist.
Here is a brief overview of how it works. Flash therapy involves identifying a memory that is upsetting to you. You then rank from 1-10 how distressing the memory is for you with a 10 being most distressing and 0 being no feelings of distress. This is your Subjective Units of Distress (SUD). Next, you identify a feeling sensation in your body that occurs when you think of the distressing event. Examples might include tightness in your chest or shoulders, a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, maybe your hands start to clench, or your face feels flushed. This is called your somatic sensation. You are then asked to take that uncomfortable memory and stop thinking about it. Now comes the fun part! And, yes, therapy can have elements of fun! You and your therapist spend the next 15-20 minutes talking about something that is enjoyable. Maybe it’s a recent movie that you saw, or a song that you really like. It might be talking about your child’s latest accomplishment or an upcoming event that you are looking forward to attending. Some people describe in detail a hobby that they like doing. This is called the Positive Engagement Focus (PEF). It is important that your PEF is not connected to your memory that you are “flashing” on. For example, if you are Flashing on a painful memory of your loved one’s death, the PEF would not center around memories of your loved one. While you are talking about your PEF you are following along with the therapist and are patting the tops of your legs in a rhythmic motion. Every so often you are asked to blink your eyes 4-5 times. This is the Flash therapy protocol.
If you are still with me, I will explain what is happening inside of you and what this all means. There is a reaction taking place inside your brain as you tap your legs, blink your eyes, and talk about a happy or engaging event. According to Dr Manfield, MRI studies have shown that when we are thinking of a distressing event our amygdala, an area located in the front of our brain, becomes activated. This is where our fight or flight response is located. When our amygdala is active, we are not able to access other parts of our brain that allow the processing of the traumatic event and the healing to take place. During Flash therapy, MRI scans have shown that the amygdala is not activated, allowing for the other parts of our brain to make sense of what we experienced, process it and allow for healing to take place. Simply put, an activated amygdala gets in the way of this healing.
Flash Therapy is a protocol that has been studied and its results replicated. Therapists all over the world are using Flash Therapy with successful outcomes. Examples include Ukrainian refugees, soldiers with PTSD, and victims displaced by earthquakes and floods.
Some frequently asked questions and comments about Flash Therapy.
Can Flash still work if I can’t identify a painful memory but I am still experiencing, for example, feelings of anxiety and dread?
Yes, you can still benefit from Flash therapy. Your therapist has tools to work with this issue. The focus becomes the somatic feelings that you are feeling.
Will it take away my memories of the event?
No, you will still have your memories of the event, but they will no longer grab at you. The intensity of feeling has been resolved allowing for you to continue to discuss the issue in therapy without becoming overwhelmed by strong emotions. For some, no further exploration or processing is needed. The issue has been resolved.
How many sessions are needed to start to feel better?
Flash therapy has been shown to work in as quickly as one session while other issues may require an additional session or two.
You have just distracted me with taking about something happy and the painful memories will return.
This is a common sentiment expressed after a Flash session. Your therapist will ask that during the week you check in with that identified painful memory and see if it still grabs at you. If it does, has the intensity changes at? Has your SUDS number gone up or down. If it has increased, this is an indication that there are early memories that are in need of processing.
Wow, I can’t believe that I am no longer bothered by this memory! I have a better understanding of what happened. It feels as if the pain associated with my memory is harder to grasp and think about. I no longer feel sick to my stomach when I think about it. I feel better!
This is what I call the jaw dropping reaction, followed up by a sense of relief that is felt in the body.
If you have any questions about Flash therapy, or I have piqued your interest, please reach out to Central Counseling Services for more information and start your journey of healing today. I would love to help you!
LEANN GALOUSTIAN, LCSW
“Bloom where you are planted” - The Bishop of Geneva
My theoretical foundation lies in strength-based therapy. I believe in the transformative power of listening and being present in a safe and nonjudgmental space. When you take that first step and reach out for help you have already started the healing process. Therapy is a place where you can unburden yourself. As a therapist, I believe things will get better even if it feels like right now, things will never change. I can help you see the progress made and the inner strength reflected in yourself. You will learn the skills to empower yourself to go forward and face what life may bring. I am trained and certified in Flash therapy. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Mood regulation which can help to address your therapeutic needs.
