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Flash Technique Instructions

March 23, 2026 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

The Flash Technique is helpful with calming down and changing our response to a memory.  Here are the basic steps for using the Flash Technique by yourself.

1. Pick a Positive Emotional Focus (PEF).  Think of a memory that is pleasant and keeps your attention.  You can use a beach scene, pets, family, dancing, or your favorite sports team.  A song or movie scene can work as well.  Use something to focus on that keeps your attention and feels good.

2. Choose a target.  What do you want to change? If you are feeling upset, then where do you feel it in your body.  Is it a thought?  Or is it a memory?  How disturbing would it be if you were to think about it?  If 0 is neutral and 10 is the most upsetting, what number would you choose for how you feel right now?  Briefly write down the feelings, thoughts, memory, and the number.  When you focus on the feelings, does an earlier memory come to mind?  The best way to feel better is to use the earliest memory that comes to mind when focused on these feelings.  Use this memory, if one comes to mind, for your target.

3. While tapping, only focus on the  positive memory (PEF).  This is important.

4. Begin tapping slowly on your thighs as you focus on your positive memory (PEF).  The tapping will strengthen the positive memory.  This is called Bilateral Stimulation (BLS).

4. While continuing to tap slowly (BLS) and focusing on the positive memory (PEF), blink your eyes quickly three times.  This may seem a bit challenging. Keep focused on the positive memory the whole time as you tap and blink three times in a row quickly.  Do five sets of triple blinks and tapping.

5.  Check the Target.  Now go back to the early memory.  How do you feel in your body, when you think about the early memory?  Do you feel differently from when you wrote down the number from 0 to 10?

6. Repeat until the number you rate the feelings is 1 or 0.

Stop if the Flash Technique is not effective.  If the Flash Technique does not appear to be working, there should be a reason.  Talk to your mental health professional about what you experienced.

Review of the basic steps of the Flash Technique:

  1. Identify and test a Positive Engaging Focus (PEF).
  1. Choose a target and rate the feelings from 0 to 10, if doing so would not be too much.  
  1. Begin slow Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), either leg tapping or butterfly hug (cross arms over chest and slowly, lightly tap your hands).  Try a rapid triple blink every 8 to 9 seconds.

 

  1. Complete 5 or 6 consecutive triple blinks about 8 or 9 seconds apart while completely focused on the positive memory (PEF).
  1. Now check lightly into the memory without thinking of details, and notice if there are any differences.
  1. Repeat the sequence of five triple flashes until number is 1 or 0 or  when sets of the Flash Technique do not continue to be effective.

© Based on material from Philip Manfield, PhD & Lewis Engel, PhD Copyright 2017-2021

Filed Under: Blog, Butterfly Hug, EMDR

How EFT Corrects for Psychological Reversal

August 6, 2024 By Daniel Davis, LMFT 1 Comment

The first tapping point we use in the EFT routine is called the Karate Chop point, because it’s located on the fleshy outer portion of the hand, the part used in karate to deliver a blow. EFT has you tap the Karate Chop point with the tips of the other four fingers of the opposite hand.

The Karate Chop Point (EFT)

Repeat your affirmation emphatically three times while tapping your Karate Chop point. You’ve now corrected for psychological reversal, and set up your energy system for the next part of EFT’s Basic Recipe, the Sequence.

The Sequence

You now tap on meridian end points in sequence. Tap firmly, but not harshly, with the tips of your first two fingers, about seven times on each point. The exact number is not important; it can be a few more or less than seven. You can tap on either the right or left side of your body, with either your dominant or nondominant hand.

First tap on the meridian endpoints found on the face. These are: (1) at the start of the eyebrow, where it joins the bridge of the nose; (2) on the outside edge of the eye socket; (3) on the bony ridge of the eye socket under the pupil; (4) under the nose; and (5) between the lower lip and the chin.

EB, SE, UE, UN and Ch Points

Then tap (6) on one of the collarbone points (see illustration). To locate this point, place a finger in the notch between your collarbones. Move your finger down about an inch and you’ll feel a hollow in your breastbone. Now move it to the side about an inch and you’ll find a deep hollow below your collarbone. You’ve now located the collarbone acupressure point.

The Collarbone (CB) Points

About four inches below the armpit (for women, this is where a bra strap crosses), you’ll find (7) the under the arm point.

Under the Arm (UA) Points

© Dawson Chuch, The EFT Manual

Name Abbreviation Point   Emotions
Side of Hand SH Small Intestine 1-4 Yang sorrow, feeling divided
Top of Head TOF Top Of Head GV20 Yang Self-criticism
Eyebrow EB Urinary Bladder 2 Yang fear, suspicion
Outside Eye OE Gall Bladder 1 Yang rage, judgmentalness
Under Eye UE Stomach 1 Yang obsessive worry
Under Nose UN Govering Vessel 27 Yang Embarrassment, lack courage
Chin CH Conception Vessel 24 Yin shame, vulnerability
Collarbone CB Kidney 27 Yin fear, shame, isolation
Under Arm UA Spleen 21 Yin anxiety, over-compassion
Thumb TH Lung 11 Yin grief, detachment
Index Finger IF Large Intestine 1 Yang guilt, controlling, holding on
Middle Finger MF Pericardium 9 Yang anger, hurt, bewildered
Little Finger LF Heart 9 Yin heartbreak, relationship pain
Back of Hand BH Triple Warmer 3 Yang depression, pain, FFF
Ribs* R Liver 14 Yin rage against self, guilt

* not included in EFT tapping rounds

© George J. Limberakis, LCMHC

Filed Under: Blog, Emotional Freedom Techniques

How Do I Cope With Change?

March 11, 2023 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

We live during a sacred time. A time ripe with possibility. With each storm, there is the opportunity for great destruction or transformation. These storms can help me recognize much is beyond the control of my ego – out of my personal control. My attitude makes all the difference. Once I recognize the sacred nature of the storm, I can choose to turn from fear to love. Instead of fighting the destruction, I embrace the transformation. I ask myself: what is possible? What good can come of this? How can I respond with love?

Filed Under: Blog, Spirituality

What is Self-love?

July 27, 2021 By Daniel Davis, LMFT 2 Comments

Think of your favorite friend. What about a beloved grandparent or teacher? Sometimes we may encounter a person who carefully listens to us and responds to us.

Unfortunately, for some of us, this may be rare. I think love is listening and responding. A nurturing mother responds to the baby’s cry with milk, changing a diaper, or a hug. Doing this moment to moment is love.

Many of us see the value of self care; we value adequate sleep, healthful food, and exercise. Most of us know the pleasure and value of having fun. Yet it seems play is a forgotten activity of our past. Authentic play has immense value – calming of pain, restoring our energy, and evoking excitement and joy.

I remember hearing, “don’t be so selfish.” Often people just assume that focusing on our desires is narcissistic or just a waste of time. If you are not enjoying your life because you neglect yourself, then what are you seeking?

Jesus emphasized that the most important aspects of his teaching are:

“Love God with all your heart, all your Soul, all your mind and all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Why are you neglecting yourself? Is it idealism?

I think that it is through self love that we are able to love others. When I am rested, fed and content, I am most receptive to the needs and wants of others I value.

Filed Under: Blog, Consciousness, Spirituality

What is Love?

July 27, 2021 By Daniel Davis, LMFT 2 Comments

Much has been written about a sentimental view of love. Reducing love to the early days of falling in love, we miss so much of what gives life meaning. Do we even care anymore?

Some professionals write about relationships and bonding, but avoid the word love all together.

Attraction can rapidly lure us closer to another, but just as quickly can be lost.

Falling in love is different from other qualities of love. After a few months or a year or so passing, we may view our beloved very differently. What we once loved about someone, we may now despise.

Yet our heart can be deeply connected to another for years. We often feel this bond the most, when we part.

I think our heart is a symbol of love, for it can teach us much about what we love. When we can calm, our heart’s desire can be felt. Unfortunately, due to the traumatic nature of our world, we can be numb to the subtle longing of our heart.

A child is another powerful symbol for our heart’s desire. Often we neglect the voices of children as whimsical and irrelevant. Just as tragically, we neglect the inner child. For within our heart and mind, this dynamic can lead us to unforeseen gifts.

Emily Dickinson wrote to a friend in a letter, “the heart wants what it wants or it just does not care.” How much do we wander through our life, fulfilling obligations of work and family, feeling empty and unfulfilled?

Love is a mystery. Yet it is a mystery worth encountering with wisdom and sensitivity. Great secrets can be found, seeking the longings of our heart.

If you seek to reject the heart, be forewarned that scientific research reveals the power of our heart’s intelligence. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart,” writes Hellen Keller.

Filed Under: Blog, Consciousness, Spirituality

What do you believe about the news you watch?

September 29, 2020 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

I loved reading about United States History and Politics, even as a young child. In 1982, I began studying Political Science as a student at West Valley College. I was excited to take my first college course in Political Science.

My professor was Bill Whitney. He was very excitable and interesting, lecturing about elections during the depression, political parties and spy satellites. I told him that he had very interesting ideas but I thought he would be more effective if he cited more research.

Professor Whitney then accused me of being a spy for Dr. Karamitsos who was a Marxist. I was surprised. I knew about Communism, but I was only taking World History with Dr. Karamitsos. I barely knew her. I was a political moderate, sensible. Communism in Russia and China seems extreme to me. I was shocked and did not know how to respond to him.

Professor Whitney assigned a project analyzing the news media. I recorded on my Video Tape Machine, the national news for ABC, NBC, and CBS. It was during the presidential election of 1984 between President Ronald Reagan and Vice President Walter Mondale. Due to my analysis, I began to see how the news media covered certain stories and yet ignored others.

Moreover, I learned how much fear and anger often gets stirred up when we discuss politics. Political discourse is designed to evoke powerful affect and certain behavior.

Filed Under: Becoming Aware (Consciousness), Blog

Negative Thinking

September 9, 2020 By Daniel Davis, LMFT 2 Comments

Human life is difficult. Eighty percent of human thoughts are negative. Ninety-five percent of our negative thoughts repeat the next day. For some of us, we have a childhood with healthy bonds. Yet even for those who have secure attachments and those who did not have adverse childhood experiences, life is challenging.

Our Subconscious Mind is a challenge. It is a million times more powerful than our Conscious Mind. The Subconscious Mind thinks like a five year old – simple, black and white, and timeless.

Our Subconscious Mind is vast. Our conscious mind “is like a boat in a sea of the subconscious,” wrote C. G. Jung.

This is good news, because there is much to be gained from changing the subconscious mind.

Our shadow is the parts of ourselves disowned early in life. Yet our shadow is 90 percent gold.

“We can actually change our brains and make new neural circuits,” says Joan Borysenko. ”The brain has an inherent negativity bias. It worries a lot; it ruminates. And bad things stick to it. Bad things stick around for a while. Good things you hardly notice.” That is about survival. “If you look around for what awful things could happen, you are more likely to notice them. . . . . We are then stressed out. We make poorer decisions because stress cuts off some of the activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The PFC is where our decision making and executive functioning are located. If you freak out and you get in that the PFC goes off line.”

Filed Under: Blog, Emotional Intelligence

Where can we find accurate information?

September 7, 2020 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

In college, I was very interested in the politics of Central America – El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. Because I took a Spanish language class at San Jose State University, I discussed with my fellow students the news from Spanish language stations from Latin America. I came to realize that Spanish language television news from Mexico covered many stories from Nicaragua and El Salvador that CBS, NBC, and ABC news did not cover.

I asked my pastor at church, Father Clemens, if he knew someone at Santa Clara University who was connected with Central America. He introduced me to Father James Torrens who connected me with a newsletter from Costa Rica about Central American Politics and life.

Upon receiving the newsletter monthly, I was shocked how the United States television networks ignored news from Central America. At the time, Nicaragua and El Salvador were very important political stories, because these countries challenges were debated by many US Congressmen. Yet many relevant facts about Latin America were not being covered by the US television networks.

I was reading a book from a writer who was Mexican describe the United States He wrote that “Americans see the world like we have mirrors at our borders.” Americans see the rest of the world like we see the United States, even though the world is vastly different – social customs, poverty, infrastructure, media, and government. Americans do not seem to distinguish our own country from other countries which are vastly different. I think Americans find it very difficult to see the world accurately, because the news media is not presenting vital information about the world. Moreover, I do not think the news media objectively and fairly covers domestic issues in the United States. How objective are we as Americans?

Filed Under: Becoming Aware (Consciousness), Blog

Where Can I Find Facts About Child Abuse?

September 5, 2020 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

Why are corporate media (ABC, CNN, FOX) and technology platforms (Twitter) not investigating and censoring the facts about the abuse of children?

You probably have noticed that the media and technology platforms show more interest in criticizing outrageous conspiracy theories but ignore obvious facts of illegal activities.  For example, ABC News decided not to report about Jeffery Epstein years ago.  

Many of these journalists have Ivy League educations.  Because of that, do they think that we are we that stupid?  Of course they do.  But Americans are descent and well-intended people.  We are diverse as a nation.  We attempt to make sense of what is happening with often poor sources of facts, because we are overwhelmed with partisan opinions from corporate media.  The role of journalist should be to gather facts, verify facts and accurately report facts.

When I studied Political Science as an undergraduate student at San Jose State University, I learned the difference between political narratives, journalism and scholarship.  I learned in Political Philosophy that the “ends justify the means.”  We read and seriously considered Machiavelli, the Italian philosopher, who was a big proponent of the devil.  This may seem outrageous, but why was this even taught? I learned that according to this philosophy, lying was necessary.

In Political Philosophy, we spent a great deal of time reading Machiavelli and little time on Christian theology.  Saint Thomas Aquinas, was scoffed at by my professors, while Plato was lauded.  We read almost nothing about religion, but we were encouraged to reject these obviously irrelevant ideas.  Is this open-minded?  Is this objective?

In addition, I learned a great deal working for a presidential political campaign and from friends who also worked in government.  For example, there is the story that government leaders and staff tell the public, and then there are the true hidden political objectives.

The hidden agenda is directly related to money and power.  Political donors are given enormous influence.  Powerful interests are  able to keep facts from being reported by corporate media outlets and censored by technology platforms.  In 1987, I wrote a paper about the influence of money in politics.  My professor told me that political contributions were not important, because her favorite political party controlled the government.  If this is the case, what about the interests of everyday Americans?  And, do our elected representatives actually represent us, the American people?

Often years later, we learn a great deal about the hidden programs and initiatives of our leaders.  Teapot Dome was an oil scandal from the 1920s.  Senator Frank Church had hearings in the 1970s about the CIA murdering foreign leaders since the 1950s.  The Iran Contra Scandal was about smuggling illegal drugs into the US and secretly arming rebels.  Edward Snowden provided revelations about spying on US citizens by its own government.

Certainly, it is the role of scholars to collect facts and teach them to young students.  My favorite history professor, Ed Norton, was a Native American History expert.   He said the classroom was 50 years behind the research. I have found this remains an accurate assessment, except for a very rare teacher.

It is left to us to assess reality.  We can dedicate ourselves to reality.  This is how we achieve mental health.  We can accept what we find or live in fantasy.

I trust my friends, family, work associates, and clients to inform me.  When I witness some event, I trust what I see and hear.  I find my spirituality helps me move toward objectivity.

This can be hard work and uncomfortable at times.  Yet in this way, we are able to gain a more objective view of reality.  This is one of our most valuable assets.  It is the basis of our choices.  This is where we experience authentic joy and peace.

Filed Under: Becoming Aware (Consciousness), Blog

The Blind Leading the Blind

July 20, 2020 By Daniel Davis, LMFT Leave a Comment

What secrets are being kept by government from its own citizens?

 

Who does government serve, if not its citizens?  In 2002, my mom filed a lawsuit in another legal dispute.  My mom said her lawyer, Jean Starcevich, requested a recommendation for a doctor to do a psychiatric evaluation. I recommended Dr. Daniel Amen who is a neurologist and psychiatrist.  My mom flew to Orange County, California, USA and had a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography).  This is a type of brain scan of blood flow in the brain.

 

Upon returning from Southern California, my mom told me the Amen Clinic staff had informed her that she had poor overall blood flow in her brain and the appearance of bumps and waves in the surface area of her brain which is indicative of poor brain function.  Therefore, she was at risk for neurological problems later in life.

 

My mom was born in Omak, Washington, a small town in north central Washington State.  My dad was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Yet my parents were part of an experiment to determine how much radiation a human being could tolerate before getting sick.  (Please check the documentation below if you wish to evaluate the veracity of these claims.)

 

The Amen Clinic staff had told her that radiation was released in Hanford, Washington, USA (from 1944 to 1972).  My dad served during World War II in the Marshall Islands as a United States Marine.  Sometime after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corp, my dad began working at the General Electric plant which produced plutonium for the United States government.  My mom and dad were married in 1956 in the Hanford, Washington area.

 

In 1981, my father died of lymphatic cancer and its complications at 57 years old.  My mother had a stroke in 2006 and suffered terribly from seizures.  During the last ten years of her life, she was catatonic at times, starring off into space and unable to speak.  My mom was an gifted concert violinist in college and later became an executive administrator for high technology companies.  After her stroke in 2006, she bravely endured her unbearable suffering with dignity and humor until her death in 2018.  No one should have to endure such pain for such highly unethical secret research.

 

The staff experimenting with releasing radiation from 1944 to 1972 in Washington State was instructed to keep as few records as possible.

 

References

 

Wald, M. L., (1986, October 24), Northwest Plutonium Plant Had Big Radioactive Emissions in 40s and 50s, Section A, Page 20.

 

The Release of Radioactive Materials from Hanford: 1944-1972. (1997, January 24). Retrieved from http://www.doh.wa.gov/hanford/publication/history/release.html

Filed Under: Becoming Aware (Consciousness), Blog

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About Daniel Davis, LMFT

I create an environment where clients experience their unique significance, authentic empowerment, and profound acceptance and collaborate with clients to identify solutions to their current crises. For more information on how I can help you, contact me today by calling 408-249-0014 or emailing info@danieldavislmft.com. I look forward to speaking with you! Read More…

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