scholarly journals Use of the Flash Technique in EMDR Therapy: Four Case Examples

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Manfield ◽  
Joan Lovett ◽  
Lewis Engel ◽  
David Manfield
Keyword(s):  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Memory Reconsolidation ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Preparation Phase ◽  
Flash Technique ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Emdr Therapy

This article introduces the flash technique, a new technique used during the preparation phase of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to facilitate processing of intense, traumatic memories that clients might otherwise be resistant to access. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this technique may make it possible for clients to access these memories initially in a minimally disturbing way, reducing their emotional intensity so that they can then be more easily and fully processed using EMDR therapy. The technique appears to be easily tolerated by clients of all ages, including children; and to be rapid and relatively painless for clients, even those with particularly disturbing target memories; and can be easily taught to clinicians. It has the distinct feature that clients who are avoiding a terribly disturbing memory can be offered a way of processing it without having to bring it clearly to mind. Four case examples, in which the technique was used by four different clinicians, are presented briefly. Suggestions are made for further study. This article hypothesizes various mechanisms of action and discusses the effects in terms of memory reconsolidation theory.

Flash Technique Group Protocol for Highly Dissociative Clients in a Homeless Shelter: A Clinical Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sik-Lam Wong
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Clinical Report ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Dissociative Experience ◽  
Preparation Phase ◽  
Flash Technique ◽  
Experience Survey ◽  
Measure Treatment Outcome

The Flash Technique is a new protocol for use in the preparation phase of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to quickly reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, prior to full processing with EMDR. This report presents results from a Flash Technique group for five highly dissociative, currently sober addicts in a men's shelter. This group was an attempt to provide an affordable, trauma-focused intervention for the homeless. As part of the intake, each client met individually with the therapist for 30 minutes, to learn to use the flash technique to process a traumatic memory. Three inventories were used to measure treatment outcome: the Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT), the Dissociative Experience Survey (DES-II), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Clients filled out the surveys 3 weeks before the start of the group and had their individual sessions 2 weeks before the start of the group. The DES and BDI-II were repeated at the beginning of the eighth session of the group. Clients' surveys showed a decline in scores after seven sessions of therapy: the DES scores dropped from 39.07 (standard deviation [SD] = 23.01) to 20.48 (SD = 10.02) with d = 0.81 and the BDI-II scores dropped from 32.4 (SD = 11.01) to 13.2 (SD = 8.4) with d = 1.74. Pre- and 2-week posttreatment SPRINT surveys showed scores dropping from 28 [SD = 2.05] pretreatment to 15.75 [SD = 5.19] 2 weeks posttreatment, with d = 6.07.

The Flash Technique in a Low-Intensity Group Trauma Intervention for Healthcare Providers Impacted by COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. EMDR-D-20-00053
Author(s):  
Philip E. Manfield ◽  
Lewis Engel ◽  
Ricky Greenwald ◽  
David G. Bullard
Keyword(s):  
Group Intervention ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Flash Technique ◽  
Rapid Relief

The flash technique (FT) is a low-intensity individual or group intervention that appears to rapidly lessen the distress of disturbing and traumatic memories. This paper reports on the safety and effectiveness of group FT with 77 healthcare providers and 98 psychotherapists impacted by working with COVID-19 patients. One-hour webinars included 30 minutes of psychoeducation and two guided 15-minute FT interventions, focused on participants’ most distressing pandemic-related memory. Before and after each 15-minute FT intervention, they rated that memory using the 11-point zero-to-ten subjective units of disturbance (SUD) scale. Results from both interventions were highly significant with large effect sizes (p < .001, Hedges’ g = 2.01, Hedges’ g = 2.39). No adverse reactions were reported. For 35 participants who processed the same memory in both interventions, the pre–post SUD scores from the beginning of intervention #1 to the end of intervention #2 showed a significant reduction with a large effect size (p < .001, Hedges’ g = 3.80). For this group, both intervention #1 and intervention #2 showed significant reductions with large effect sizes (p < .001, Hedges’ g = 2.00) (p < .001, Hedges’ g = 1.18). Follow-up SUD scores were obtained from 58 participants, with the mean disturbance level showing a significant further decrease. These findings provide preliminary evidence that group FT appears to safely provide rapid relief from disturbing memories. FT merits further research.

EMDR’s Neurobiological Mechanisms of Action: A Survey of 20 Years of Searching

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Emdr Therapy

Historically, mechanisms of action have often been difficult to ascertain. Thus far, the definitive discovery of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)’s underlying mechanisms has been equally elusive. We review the neurobiological studies of EMDR, as well as the theoretically driven speculative models that have been posited to date. The speculative theoretically driven models are reviewed historically to illustrate their growth in neurobiological complexity and specificity. Alternatively, the neurobiological studies of EMDR are reviewed with regard to their object of investigation and categorized as follows: findings before and after EMDR therapy (neuroimaging and psychophysiological studies) and findings during the EMDR set (psychophysiological, neuroimaging, and qEEG studies).

The Nasolabial Triangle

1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Burres
Keyword(s):  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Natural Extension ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Nasolabial Fold ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Minimal Scarring ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Alar Rim

Because the nasolabial fold is located conspicuously in the center of the midface, its depth and length often indicate the progression of age. This paper describes a new technique for reducing the medial portion of the nasolabial fold by excising an area of labial skin called the nasolabial triangle and advancing the malar fold both inferiorly and along the lateral alar crease. Besides flattening the fold, this simple procedure shortens its length dramatically by eliminating the natural extension of the fold along the lateral alar rim. Several case examples are presented to demonstrate the excellent results and minimal scarring that are possible with this approach.

EMDR Case Formulation Tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-231
Author(s):  
Ines Santos
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Case Formulation ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
Psychological Difficulties ◽  
Adaptive Information Processing ◽  
Emdr Therapy

This article describes a diagrammatic clinical tool to be used when formulating cases in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, the EMDR Case Formulation Tool is a way of illustrating psychological difficulties, mapping out the relationships between six key elements: unprocessed traumatic experiences, triggers, intrusions, negative beliefs, and symptoms, as well as resilience. From the diagrammatic formulation, a narrative formulation can be developed. The case formulation tool can be shared with the client, used to guide treatment planning, in supervision, and in case consultations. The use of the tool is explained and its clinical applications demonstrated with case examples.

EMDR as a Transpersonal Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Approach to Awakening Consciousness

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-43
Author(s):  
Irene R. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Spiritual Awakening ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Mindful Awareness ◽  
Transpersonal Psychotherapy ◽  
Human Functioning ◽  
Spiritual Tradition ◽  
Early Trauma ◽  
Emdr Therapy

This article introduces the integration of a transpersonal psychological approach into the standard eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol. The history and philosophy of transpersonal psychology is explained as an expanded context for healing. The applications of a transpersonal context to EMDR therapy are discussed as it applies to taking the client from trauma to healing beyond adaptive functioning leading to exceptional human functioning, as depicted in Native shamanism and Eastern spiritual tradition where consciousness is awakened. The influence of the consciousness of the therapist is explored, as the convergence of science, psychology, and spirituality address the interpersonal nature of a shared energy field. Elements of transpersonal psychotherapy are presented, and transpersonal therapeutic skills are described to enhance the range of tools of the therapist from egoic intervention to an expanded range of perception based in mindful awareness, attunement, and resonance. Comprehensive case examples take us through the standard EMDR protocol where these two approaches integrate and flow as healing unresolved early trauma becomes the doorway for spiritual awakening.

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