Rewind Technique: A Gentle and Effective Approach to Resolving Trauma and Phobias

Over 15 years ago, I trained in the Rewind Technique—first with the Human Givens approach, and later through Uncommon Knowledge, co-founded by the son of one of Human Givens’ original founders. Since then, it’s become one of the most valuable tools in my therapeutic toolkit for helping people overcome trauma, phobias, and deeply rooted fears.

What Is the Rewind Technique?
The Rewind Technique (sometimes called the “Fast Phobia Cure”) is a non-intrusive, safe and highly effective psychological method for permanently stopping unwanted responses to traumatic memories or irrational fears. It’s known for being gentle—there’s no need to re-tell or re-live traumatic experiences.
The process works by allowing your brain to re-code a traumatic or fearful memory so that it no longer triggers the intense emotional or physical response it once did. It's often described as “uncoupling” the memory from the fight/flight/freeze response.

How Does It Work?
The Rewind Technique works primarily through visualisation, imagination, and elements of deep relaxation. The client is guided into a calm, safe state—often likened to daydreaming—where they can revisit the memory in a very specific, controlled way.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:

1. You’re guided into a relaxed state (similar to a meditative or trance-like state).
2. You mentally “watch” the traumatic event, like a film, from a safe distance.
3. You then mentally rewind the memory and play it backwards several times at speed.
4. This process helps reframe how the brain stores the memory—reducing or even removing the emotional charge attached to it.

Why Is It Effective?
Traumatic memories are often stored in the brain in a way that keeps them feeling “present,” triggering the body’s stress responses again and again. The Rewind Technique allows the brain to move that memory into the past—where it belongs—so you’re no longer hijacked by it in the here and now.
Some of the reasons it works so well:

• It engages the imagination, which is where trauma tends to “stick.”
• It’s content-free: you don’t have to describe what happened in detail.
• It helps regulate the autonomic nervous system by calming overactive stress responses.

What Conditions Can It Help With?
I’ve used the Rewind Technique successfully with people dealing with:

• Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Birth trauma
• Phobias (flying, needles, public speaking)
• Nightmares and intrusive thoughts
• Fear-based anxiety responses

Clients often report feeling lighter, calmer, and more “themselves” after just one or two sessions.
A Trauma-Informed Approach
The Rewind Technique is particularly well-suited to a trauma-informed practice. It doesn’t involve re-traumatisation, and clients are always in control. When used ethically and skilfully, it honours the person’s experience while supporting real change in how they relate to it.
Want to Know More?
If you’re struggling with a fear or trauma that feels stuck, the Rewind Technique may be worth exploring. You don’t have to talk in detail about what happened. You just need to be willing to let it go.

If you’d like to talk about whether this might be right for you, feel free to send me an email: [email protected]

The Rewind Technique™ is widely taught through the Human Givens approach and other therapeutic training organisations.

I'm Naomi Taylor, an integrative therapist working with adults and couples worldwide. I offer counselling, couples therapy, and online sessions. If you'd like to explore working together, you can book a session here.