top of page

Becoming Empowered Through the Manipulation of Flashbacks

judytherapyspot

Traumatic flashbacks are very distressing since victims continue to relive their nightmares.  Therefore, trauma therapy helps alleviate the intensity and frequency of these distressing memories until they are either no longer disturbing or they disappear.  The victim is empowered when he is in charge of controlling the image rather than allowing the memory to repeatedly distress him as the incident is occurring for the first time.     

                The objective of this modality is to reduce the intensity of the image so that the victim does not leave his/her window of tolerance.  Therefore, the client must be in his/her safe place when the clinician implements this technique.  Have the client “watch the scene on tv or a computer screen.” The patient has a “remote control” in his/her hand with the ability to control the image.  The therapist is careful to monitor the patient for early warning signs of panic.  If the clinician notices that the client is unable to tolerate the image she quickly grounds the client and proceeds gradually.  The therapist does not resume processing until the patient is grounded.  Once the client is grounded he is able to process a bit more and perhaps much more.  He/she is able to make the picture larger or smaller, make it black and white so it is less intimidating than being in color or slow down the activity.  Furthermore, the client has the ability to change the dialogue and the outcome of the picture.  These modifications alleviate the intensity of the fear that accompanies the flashback until the fear is eventually eliminated entirely.   In addition, the patient experiences the power of being in control of his/her life story and enjoys the feeling of empowerment.

6 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


© 2024 by HT Website Designs, All Rights Reserved. Judy Wolofsky, LCSW - Dashboard

bottom of page