The Feeling-State Flash Technique Protocol
Feeling State theory by Robert Miller, Ph.D.
Flash Technique by Philip Manfield, Ph.D. and Lewis Engel, Ph.D.
This hybrid protocol combines both Feeling State and Flash Technique by Joseph Nicolosi Jr., Ph.D.
Phase 1: History and Evaluation
1. Obtain history, frequency, and context of addictive behavior.
2. Evaluate the person for having the coping skills to manage negative feelings if s/he is no longer using substances to cope. If the person is too fragile for releasing the addictive behavior, process the pain, terror, and traumas until the person is capable of living without the addictive behavior.
Phase 2: Preparation
3. Prepare the person for doing the standard EMDR protocol– explanation of EMDR, safe place, container, etc.
4. Explain the FSFT including the Feeling-State Theory and how fixated memories cause behavioral and substance addictions.
5. Explain how addictive behavior can also be used to avoid memories and feelings.
Phase 3: Processing the FS
6. Identify the specific aspect of the addictive behavior that has the most intensity associated with it. If the addiction is to a stimulant drug, then the rush/euphoria sensations are usually the first to be processed. However, if some other feeling is more intense, process that first. The starting memory may be the first time or the most recent–whichever is most potent.
7. Identify the specific self-referential positive feeling [sensation + emotion + cognition] linked with the addictive behavior. This is called the PFS (Positive Feeling State)
8. Measure the intensity of the link between the feeling and the behavior using the PFS (0 – 10) scale. The PFS always measures the intensity of this link. (e.g. When you imagine yourself smoking with your buddies, how intensely do you feel that you belong?)
9. Locate and identify any physical sensations created by the positive feelings.
10. Have the client visualize performing the addictive behavior–feeling the positive feeling combined with the physical sensations.
11. Perform the Flash Technique until the PFS level drops to 0 or 1.
12. Body scan for any sensation. Perform the Flash Technique until there is no sensation related to the FS.
13. Process the need for the desired feeling: obtain a SUDS level of the feeling as a general feeling not connected with the behavior. (Can you feel your general desire to belong, connect, feel important…?)
14. Perform BLS until the SUDS = 0 or 1.
Phase 4: Process the NC underlying the FS
15. Identify the NC that underlies the feeling. (What’s the negative belief you have about yourself that makes you feel you can’t belong, can’t connect, aren’t important, etc.)
16. Use the float-back method to identify an event related to that feeling. If no event is identified, target the NC. (Can you remember an event that made you feel that way?)
17. Process with the standard EMDR protocol.
18. Install future template related to PC of trauma processing.
19. Re-evaluate the FS. Perform the Flash Technique until PFS = 0. (When you think of the original memory, on a 0- to-10 scale, how intense is it now?)
20. Between sessions, give homework to evaluate the progress of therapy and to elicit any other feelings related to the addictive behavior.
21. In the next session, re-evaluate the addictive behavior for the feeling-state identified in the last session. If that FS is still active, continue processing. If FS has been eliminated, evaluate for other FSs.
22. Steps 5 – 18 are performed again, as necessary.
Phase 5: Process the NC caused by the FS
23. Determine the negative belief that was created as a result of the addictive behavior and have the client choose a positive belief.
24. Use the EMDR standard protocol to process the negative beliefs and install the positive beliefs.
