How a case report introduced Flash Technique in EMDR therapy

A case report titled Use of the Flash Technique in EMDR Therapy: Four Case Examples is one of the earliest clinical write-ups on Flash.

These cases helped define how EMDR Flash Technique could be used in trauma recovery and is still frequently cited in discussions about Flash Technique’s clinical value.

What the 2017 Flash Technique case report revealed

The case report described four individuals receiving trauma treatment. In each case, Flash Technique was used to reduce emotional disturbance linked to traumatic memories—without requiring the client to talk about the worst parts of those memories.

The clients were able to feel calmer while still showing meaningful progress.

Why the original Flash EMDR case study still matters today

At the time, EMDR was widely used, but many therapists and clients were looking for a gentler approach—especially for individuals who struggled with intense emotional reactions of recalling painful, shameful details of the trauma during the EMDR procedure.

The Flash Technique gave therapists a way to reduce distress in real time, allowing sessions to continue without overwhelming the client.

How the Flash Technique worked in real therapy sessions

Each client was briefly asked to activate a disturbing target without thinking about it, then immediately shift focus to a positive engaging focus, while bilateral stimulation continued. Blinking and bilateral stimulation helped decrease the emotional charge around the trauma, even though the client was not directly engaging with the memory.

Lasting clinical impact of Flash Technique

Since this report, more therapists have started using Flash Technique as a stand-alone alternative to EMDR. It can be used to bring down distress while reprocessing memories—on its own. The original report helped shape how clinicians understood the tool and gave a base for further research.

Why therapists continue to reference the 2017 Flash Technique research

The 2017 case report didn’t just introduce Flash—it gave detailed clinical examples that showed how effective it was as a stand-alone treatment for trauma recovery.

Flash Technique offers a new pathway to trauma recovery that is soft and gentle to allow you to stay more regulated and engaged during trauma therapy.

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