A lighter way to work with hard memories
The Flash Technique is a low-intensity approach that helps ease the emotional intensity connected to a distressing memory — while your attention rests on something calming, pleasant, or engaging. It offers a way to soften painful material with only the lightest contact, so the details can stay in the background while you remain anchored in something steadier.
It was created for disturbing and traumatic memories, and its developers also describe it as a low-intensity way to lessen the distress tied to other upsetting or emotionally painful experiences — anytime easing the emotional charge would be helpful. The work stays manageable and settled throughout.
Two approaches, both in my training
There are two well-known approaches within the Flash field, and I've completed training in both — so I can draw on whichever fits you best.
The Flash Technique
Dr. Phil Manfield
The original Flash Technique, using brief blinks and light bilateral steps while you stay with a positive, engaging focus.
flashtechnique.com →Predictive Processing Flash
Thomas Zimmerman, MS.Ed., LPCC
A distinct version (formerly the Four Blinks approach) built around a well-practiced calm container and a light glance at the memory.
fourblinks.com →Why we might use it
Some memories feel too charged to approach in a direct way. The Flash Technique helps your brain process a memory more indirectly, while your focus stays on something calming, pleasant, or engaging. This tends to make the work feel easier to tolerate and more manageable than direct trauma processing.
How it works
During a Flash session, you briefly identify a distressing memory or issue we're focusing on — and you get to keep the details to yourself. Most of your attention rests on a positive, engaging focus: something pleasant, comforting, absorbing, or emotionally steady. This might be a peaceful nature scene, a favorite pet, a loved one, a meaningful memory, music, or another image that helps you feel more settled.
While you stay with that positive focus, I may guide you through brief blinks, light tapping, or other simple steps that are part of the process. The idea is for your brain to process the material in the background while you remain anchored in something steadier.
Why it may help
The current understanding is that the Flash Technique lets a distressing memory be contacted very lightly, while you stay resourced and calm. Early research is promising: preliminary studies show meaningful drops in disturbance ratings after brief sessions, and people generally find it well tolerated. The research base continues to grow, and results so far are encouraging.
Learn more from the developers at flashtechnique.com and fourblinks.com.
What to expect in a session
A Flash session is usually calm, structured, and simple. Here's the shape of it:
We choose one memory, image, feeling, or issue to focus on.
You're welcome to share a little context, and just as welcome to keep the story private.
We choose a positive, engaging focus for you to look at, imagine, or listen to.
I may guide you to do brief blinks or use light tapping while you stay with that positive image or scene.
After a short set, I may invite you to lightly notice the target and share whether it feels different — softer, farther away, calmer, or more neutral.
What people often notice
Many people find that, over the course of the work, the memory begins to feel:
Choosing a positive focus
A good positive, engaging focus is something that naturally holds your attention in a pleasant, steady, or emotionally supportive way. It can be simple — it just needs to feel easier on your system than the distressing memory. Some favorites:
Ideas for a 30-minute session
For a full 30 minutes, it helps to have something visually steady and easy to stay with.
Videos
A 30-minute ocean-waves or forest video, a lake or mountain scene, or a calm pet or animal video — something steady, with slow, soothing visuals.
Still images
A photo of a beach, forest, lake, or flowers; a favorite pet; a meaningful family photo; or a piece of art that feels calming.
Audio
A favorite calming song, soft instrumental music, or nature sounds like ocean waves or birdsong.
How to prepare
A little setup makes the session flow smoothly. Before we meet, it helps to:
Choose 1–3 calming or pleasant images or videos.
Pick ones that feel purely good to look at — simple and soothing.
Use headphones if sound helps you focus.
Find a private, settled place where you can ease into the session.
Have your image or video open and ready for a smoother start.
Remote Flash works best when there's enough stability and support in place, so we'll make sure the setup feels right for you before we begin.