Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Imagine carrying around a painful memory, like a weight that never seems to let go. No matter how much time passes, the memory still feels sharp and raw, as if it just happened. That is where EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, comes in.
Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR grew out of a simple observation: moving the eyes back and forth seemed to lessen the intensity of distressing thoughts. Since then, it has evolved into a powerful, evidence-based therapy for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, and other deep emotional wounds.
In a typical EMDR session, a person brings to mind a troubling memory while the therapist guides them through rhythmic eye movements, gentle taps, or sounds. This bilateral stimulation helps the brain reprocess the memory, almost as if it is being filed away properly for the very first time. The memory does not disappear, but it no longer carries the same power. The fear, shame, or sadness attached to it begins to soften.
With time, the person starts to feel lighter and freer. What once felt like a heavy burden becomes only a chapter in their life story, not the whole story.
Many people wonder if EMDR is a form of hypnosis. It is not. The person remains fully awake and in control throughout the process. There is no suggestion and no altered state, only a structured method that allows the brain to do what it is naturally designed to do: heal and make sense of the past.
Click on the video below to see how EMDR works.
The Flash Technique
The EMDR Flash Technique is a trauma focused intervention developed by Dr. Phil Manfield that offers a gentle and effective way to reduce the emotional intensity of painful memories. It is often used alongside traditional Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is especially helpful for clients who might feel overwhelmed by directly confronting traumatic material.
In this approach, the client is briefly invited to bring a troubling memory to mind just long enough to activate the emotional charge, before quickly shifting attention to a Positive Engaging Focus (PEF) such as a pleasant image, memory, or thought. While the client holds this positive focus, the therapist provides bilateral stimulation through eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This process allows emotional distress to decrease without the need to describe or relive the traumatic experience in detail.
The Flash Technique can be particularly supportive for people with complex trauma histories, strong emotional reactions, or dissociative symptoms. It helps reduce the intensity of traumatic material, making it easier to address during later EMDR sessions. By combining minimal exposure with attentional shifting and bilateral stimulation, this method provides relief in a safe, steady, and efficient way.