Energy Psychology
Do you speak energy? This is a question I often pose to my clients. While most of them answer yes, either from an intellectual or an intuitive knowing or both, the truth is all of us “speak energy”. Working with energy in a healing way involves the use of the measurable energy such as electrical and electromagnetic as well as the yet to be measurable subtle energies of the body (Eden & Feinstein 1998). This article will briefly explore the concepts embraced by Energy Psychology.
What is Energy Psychology
Energy psychology (EP) is the term used to express a therapeutic approach that involves specific mind-body techniques that work with the human bioenergy system (the biofield and meridian system). It explores how the bioenergy system interacts with thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The underpinning theory in EP is that all psychological distress has an energetic component that can be located and treated with simple and measurable techniques. Energy Psychologists work under the theory that held negative emotions are at the core of psychological illness (Williams et al., 2010). It is thought that traumatic energy and information can be seen as alarms that stop up the body’s natural energy flow (Williams et al., 2010). Change and healing can then be obtained through releasing the stuck or held energy in the system (Flint et al., 2006).
Energy psychology was inspired by the work of Dr. Roger Callahan and his development of Thought Field Therapy (TFT), (Mollon, 2006).TFT was inspired by Dr. Callahan's knowledge of applied Kinesiology and his study of Dr. George Goodheart’s ‘muscle testing’(Mollon, 2006). Dr. Goodheart found a way of accessing the subtle energy system of Chinese medicine by way of immediate biofeedback of muscle testing (Mollon, 2006). Callahan then used ‘muscle –testing’ to connect acupressure points associated with the psychological issue at hand.(Flint, Lammers, & Mitnick, 2006). Once identified these points are then tapped or touched while the individual is stating affirmations. TFT takes the position that tapping on these meridian points releases subtle energies related to the psychological issue, the meridian system is then rebalanced clearing the individual of the issue (Mollon 2006). It is important to note that TFT is only one EP technique, there are now many more.
The Human Biofield
In 1994 Scientists conducting research sponsored by the National Health Institute (NIH) coined the term “Biofield” to define the weak and complex electromagnetic field that surrounds an organism. The biofield is thought to contain electromagnetic bioinformation for regulating homeodynamics (Rubik, 2002). While the researchers ascertained that the biofield model may eventually accept concepts related to mind, body, and soul as traditional eastern healing approaches do, currently it operates under the more western scientific concepts of bioelectromagnetics and biophysical systems theory (Rubik, 2002). Researchers state the biofield may be a very complex standing wave surrounding an organism that involves the electromagnetic energy of the organism’s cell, tissue, molecule, ion, etc. (Rubik, 2002).
Healing approaches that specifically address the biofield include practices such as Reiki, healing touch, Qi Gong, Energy Medicine and more.
What does the research say?
Energy healers report an imbalance in the biofield as well as in the meridian system as a result of trauma. A study conducted by Mackay, Hansen, and McFarlane (2004) was interested in measuring autonomic nervous system changes in individuals receiving Reiki treatment, an energy healing modality that works with the biofield. The researchers reported a decrease in heart rate as well as diastolic blood pressure in the group that received the Reiki treatment when compared to the placebo and no treatment control groups.
According to Fang et al. (2009), the stimulation of specific acupuncture points may send deactivating signals directly to the amygdala. In their study, Fang et al. (2009) selected 10 healthy individuals to undergo fMRI during manual acupuncture stimulation. The results indicated a deactivation of limbic-paralimbic-neocortical system as a result of acupuncture treatment.
Diepold and Goldstein (2009) utilized quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) to measure brainwave changes in an individual trauma survivor after the treatment of thought-field therapy (TFT). The researchers reported a shift in brain wave frequency from abnormal to normal after the TFT treatment, results remained the same at an 18-month follow up. The authors concluded that trauma memory did create an abnormal energy pattern in the body and the meridian based therapies could work to correct this imbalance.
There is much more research than what I have listed here if this grabs your interest I encourage you to go explore the topic on your own!
Although much still needs to be understood in regard to the biofield, the meridian system, and energy healing it is a healing approach that has been around for at least 2,000 years (Gerber, 2001). As a therapist, I incorporate energy psychology in the healing process in a variety of ways. I embrace TFT and EFT (a simpler version of TFT). I will also look for the energy associated with a symptom and help my clients use movement, imagery or breath to release this stuck energy. Finding ways to release stuck energy and rebalance the system is the goal. The exciting news is that we all have the intrinsic natural ability to be energy healers, either for ourselves, for others or for our world. If this approach speaks to you it may be time to explore energy healing and energy psychology a bit deeper. The potential in this modality is limitless.
References
Diepold, J.H. & Goldstein, D. (2009). Thought field therapy and QEEG changes in the treatment
of trauma: A case study. Traumatology, 15, 85-93.
Eden, D. & Feinstein, D. (2008). Energy medicine balancing your body’s energies for optimal health, joy, and
vitality. New York, NY: The Penguin Group.
Fang, J., Jin, Z., Wang, Y., Li, K., Kong, J., Nixon, E.E.,…Hui, K.K.S. (2009). The salient
characteristics of the central effects of acupuncture needling: Limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network modulation. Human Brain Mapping, 30, 1196-1206. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20583
Flint, G.A., Lammers, W., & Mitnick, D.G. (2006). Emotional freedom techniques: a safe
intervention for many trauma based issues. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment &
Trauma 12(1-2). 125-150. Doi:10.1200/j146v12n01_07.
Gerber, G. & Tiller, W. (2001). Vibrational Medicine the #1 handbook of subtle-energy therapies. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Company.
Mackay, N., Hansen, S., Mcfarlane, O., (2004). Autonomic nervous system changes during Reiki
treatment: A preliminary study. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 10(6) 1077-1081
Mollon, P. (2008) Psychoanalytic energy psychotherapy. London, England: Karnac Books ltd
Rubik, B. (2002). The biofield hypothesis: It’s biophysical basis and role in medicine. The
Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 8(6) 703-717. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=13&sid=c2b59405-d6e8-4723-8930-f2fd0a226054%40sessionmgr101
Williams, C., Dutton, D., & Burgess C. (2010) Communication the intangible: A
phenomenological exploration of energy healing. Qualitative Research in Psychology 7:45-56.
