Energy Psychology Techniques

Introduction

Energy Psychology is a new field and refers to a number of related energy therapies that form a set of techniques that combine eastern medicine approaches to the mind and body with western psychology and psychotherapy principles. 

Energy Psychology techniques were first popularised in the early 1980s by Roger Callahan, Ph.D. under the names of "The Callahan Technique" or "Thought Field Therapy. Dr Callahan developed several algorithms of tapping certain acupressure points while thinking of a problem such as an addiction or a phobia. This method often allows the body to return to homeostasis and therefore the craving is reduced or the fear is alleviated. Not only is it a highly effective system for many problems, but recent studies have shown that it is quicker and more effective than cognitive behavioural therapy. However, many repetitions of the treatment are often necessary with this particular type of energy therapy.

Dr. Scott Walker, a chiropractor and applied kinesiologist, developed Neuro Emotional Technique™ or NET in the early 1980’s. He developed his system independently from Dr. Callahan and within the same time frame.

Both of these men were influenced by Dr. John Diamond, the developer of Behavioural Kinesiology. He worked with meridian systems in the late 1970’s and stressed the use of positive verbal affirmations to change and effect the meridian system.

Since then many other techniques have been discovered. Most of the following systems that are offshoots of TFT also differ mostly in slight variations of tapping and/or affirmations and were developed later than TFT.
Some of these other systems include BSFF (Be Set Free Fast), EDxTM (Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods), PEAT (Psycho Energetic Auro Technology), Seemorg Matrix Work, TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique).

Based on impressive new discoveries involving the body’s subtle energies, energy psychology techniques work by accessing the mind/body matrix or meridian system in eastern medicine. Energy psychology quickly and thoroughly relieves mental health problems by eliminating emotional traumas or blockages from the mind/body continuum by touching or tapping specific acupuncture points on the body.  Simply stated, it is a unique version of acupuncture except you don’t use needles. Instead, you stimulate energy points on acupuncture meridians on your body by tapping or holding them with your fingertips.

These techniques have been dubbed “power therapies” because they work so quickly compared to traditional talk therapy. This appears to be due in part because they target the more primitive parts of the brain. These would include the Limbic system, the Medulla Oblongata, and the Enkephalin system, which is in every cell of the body.

Essentially, all these energy therapies were adapted and built on Dr. Goodhearts’ work applying Applied Kinesiology (AK) to the emotional arena. Emotions are energy and therefore emotions can be muscle tested through the electrical system of the body. The body consists of water and electricity and it appears that from Goodheart’s findings, Qi is essentially the same as this electricity. It is believed that muscle testing checks to see if the muscle has enough electrical activity in it to hold when tested.

Dr. Goodheart, was the to first demonstrate therapy localization. Therapy localization occurs when the clinician tests the energy by taking any major muscle, and asking the client or patient to lock that muscle while the practitioner tries to challenge the strength of the muscle to see if it will hold its position. The practitioner might ask a client to hold their arm straight out in front of them and lock it, while the clinician with an open hand firmly pushes down on the arm right above the wrist. Then either the client or the therapist touches another part of the clients’ body to test if a change of muscle strength occurs. If it does, then dysfunction is assumed to be present in the localized area.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a unique approach to relieving psychological stress and physiological pain. EFT balances the energy system with a tapping procedure which stimulates specific acupuncturepoints on the face and body. Applying the tapping procedure restores the balance of the energy system and neutralises emotional conflicts at their source, which then allows the body and mind to resume their natural healing abilities. EFT is safe, easy to apply, and is non-invasive.

Designed by Gary Craig, a personal performance coach in California, Gary has dedicated his work and life to teaching people how to overcome emotional and physical blocks to success and has been emotionally, spiritually and financially generous with his discoveries.

Gary neatly summarised in a recent article on his web site: "All scientists agree that the body is an 'energy configuration' made up of positive and negative electrical charges in the form of atoms, the basic 'building blocks of all matter'. Einstein informed modern scientists that all matter lies somewhere on the same energy continuum. This was captured in his famous Theory of Relativity which states E=MC². If we view the human body as an energy configuration rather than separate organs, parts and equations of chemicals, we will understand why and how EFT works".

EFT is gentle and easy to use, and has to date yielded remarkable results for relieving emotional and physical distress. While there have been no distressing side effects reported, this does not mean that you will not discover side effects for yourself. IF YOU INTEND TO USE THESE TECHNIQUES, YOU MUST AGREE TO TAKE FULL REPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS WHILE APPLYING THESE TECHNIQUES. You may wish to consult a trained EFT practitioner.

Top of page