Therapists, using flash work to take the edge off? My top tips

Hey there, fellow therapists and counselors! Today, I want to talk to you about the benefits of using flash work as a stabilisation tool in EMDR therapy. If you're not familiar with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), it's a powerful psychotherapy approach that helps clients process traumatic memories. Flash work is a technique that can be used during the preparation phase of EMDR therapy to help stabilize the client before processing the traumatic memory.

So, what exactly is flash work? It's a technique that involves using the bilateral element of EMDR (such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimulation) to take the edge off the emotive memory. This can help to reduce the intensity of the memory and make it easier for the client to process it during the subsequent reprocessing phase of EMDR therapy.

Here are some top tips for using flash work as a stabilisation tool:

1. Use it early in the therapy process: Flash work is best used early in the therapy process, during the preparation phase of EMDR therapy. This can help to establish safety and stability before delving into the more difficult work of processing the traumatic memory.

2. Keep it brief: Flash work should be brief (1-2 minutes), the pause and reassess it’s a tool to help the client regulate their emotions. It's not intended to process the memory itself, but rather to help the client feel more grounded and stable.

3. Use the client's preferred bilateral element: The bilateral element used in flash work can be eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimulation. It's important to use the client's preferred method, as this can help to increase the effectiveness of the technique.

4. Monitor the client's response: As with any intervention in therapy, it's important to monitor the client's response to flash work. If the client becomes overwhelmed or dysregulated, it may be necessary to pause or discontinue the technique.

Now, you may be wondering, what are the benefits of using flash work? Here are a few references that demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique:

- A study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that using flash work as a stabilisation tool in EMDR therapy led to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30258669).

- Another study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research found that using flash work improved treatment outcomes for clients with complex PTSD (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29016336).

- A case study published in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research demonstrated the effectiveness of using flash work to help a client with chronic pain (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29485392).

So, flash work can be a valuable tool in the EMDR therapist's toolkit. It can help to stabilize clients before processing traumatic memories and improve treatment outcomes. So, give it a try (if you’ve completed the training) and see how it works for your clients

Feedback? Clients report positive experiences with flash work as a stabilisation tool in EMDR therapy. Flash work can help reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and make it easier for clients to process them during the subsequent reprocessing phase of EMDR therapy. Clients have also reported feeling more grounded and stable after using flash work. It's important to note that the experience may vary from person to person, and it's always important to monitor the client's response to any intervention in therapy.

In groups? Yes, flash technique can be used in group therapy settings, I have used it at my retreats… My advice, it's important to keep in mind that each individual may have a unique experience with the technique, and the therapist should be prepared to provide individual support as needed. It's also important to ensure that the group is a safe and supportive environment for all members, and that everyone is comfortable with the use of the technique in the group setting. Some therapists may choose to use the technique individually with each member of the group before using it in a group setting, to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the process and to address any individual concerns or reactions.