What is Energy Psychology?
ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology) defines Energy Psychology as follows: “Energy Psychology is a family of evidence-supported integrative modalities that balance, restore, and improve functioning by combining physical interventions rooted in mind-body traditions (using the acupuncture system, the chakras, and other ancient systems of healing) with modern cognitive interventions such as imagery based therapy. Energy Psychology methods blend the bio-energetic insights of these modalities with the best of contemporary psychological practice. ”
Energy Psychology combines effectively with cognitive-behavioral therapies and many other styles of therapy successfully addressing psychological issues like anxiety, phobias, depression and traumatic responses. In addition its use enhances the relaxation response, increases feelings of well-being and reduces emotional and physical pain.
These therapies are based on the acupoints used in traditional Chinese medicine and the chakra centers identified in Bio-energetic medicine. Energy Psychology (EP) is the name for a broad range of psychological treatments that utilize the human energy system. Included in this group are treatments such as Thought Field Therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Breath work, Emotion Code, Process Acupressure, Tapas Acupressure Technique and many other such therapies. Each of these intentionally utilizes and combines one of the human energy systems—such as the meridian system, the chakra system or the aura system—during psychological treatment.
Psychological therapies such as EMDR (Eye-Movement, Desensitization and Re-Processing) and other deep therapies that access subconscious material, may act energetically as well (that is, they may cause energetic releases and healing). However, such therapies do not intentionally utilize one of the body’s energetic systems and are not, therefore, called “energy psychology” therapies.
There are also many energetic healing modalities that do not use psychological processes – such as chi gong, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, therapeutic touch and so forth – and these, too, are not called “energy psychology” treatments. The term “Energy Psychology” refers only those therapies that use both psychological interventions and energetic interventions together in a particular treatment format.
Why Use the Energy System for Psychological Healing and Growth?
Traditional psychotherapy has utilized the power of speech to transform emotions. Through talking about one’s feelings, experiences and struggles, one is often able to come to a better understanding of oneself, develop new ways of viewing things, and begin to consider new alternatives. However, discussion alone does not have the power to significantly change one’s innermost world. Experiential therapies such as Emotionally Focused Psychotherapy, Focusing, EMDR, Ego-state Therapy and other mind-body approaches, (see descriptions of these approaches in the section entitled “Counseling” on this site), do act deeply to help release emotional blocks, foster healing and change emotional patterns. Energy Psychology techniques add one more unique therapeutic dimension. By correcting a disruption in the energy system, these techniques can bring complete balance within a disturbed internal pattern and virtually “re-wire” the inner world.
“Re-Wiring” the Inner World
From the point of view of Energy Psychology, painful physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms are the result of a disruption in the energy system. When the disruption is corrected, symptoms will be replaced by healthy functioning. For instance, a phobic response to spiders would be replaced by a calm response to spiders. All aspects of the phobic response would be normalized. Therefore, physical sensations of distress (such as tense muscles, racing heart, lumps in the throat or sensations in the pit of the stomach) are alleviated. Disturbed thought processes (such distorted perceptions and catastrophic expectations) are normalized. Negative emotions (fear, panic, anger, helplessness, confusion, etc.) are replaced by inner peace. Unhelpful behavioral tendencies (flight or fight or freeze responses, for example) are corrected. All of this can be achieved using the natural resources of the body’s energetic system.
Energy Psychology techniques can be used to treat a large array of distressing symptoms including the following types of problems and more:
- worries, fears, anxieties and phobias
- painful memories, grief and traumatic experiences
- stress, burnout, exhaustion
- anger, rage, resentment, irritability
- moodiness, sadness, depression
- insecurity, low self-worth
- relationship difficulties
- performance issues
- limiting beliefs
How Is Energy Psychology used in Therapy?
Energy Psychology is used as a particular treatment within therapy. The qualified therapist is not “technique-oriented” but rather “client-oriented.” The therapist selects the appropriate therapeutic intervention depending on the client’s moment to moment needs. Depending on the training and orientation of the therapist, he or she may choose any one of a multitude of interventions, from empathic listening to hypnosis and everything in between. Energy Psychology techniques are only one of the possible ways to help a client work through an issue – therefore they are simply tools that are utilized by a qualified therapist within the context of a good therapy. Like all other psychological interventions, EP techniques do not work with every single client. However, clinical experience shows that most people can benefit from EP. Because Energy Psychology is powerful and can cause deep emotional release and restructuring, it is best employed by trained and licensed counseling professionals.
Energy Psychology Resources
Emotional Freedom Technique
- EFT from the Holistic Psychologist (YouTube)
- Nick Ortner explains how tapping calms anxiety and stress (YouTube)
This acupressure technique has been proven to be a powerfully effective and gentle therapeutic tool. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are many energy points that merge and enter the brain at specific points on the body. EFT involves teaching you how to tap and stimulated certain points that help reduce the effects of distressing memories and negative emotions. Negative emotions are a disruption in our nervous system. When you alter this disruption the negative emotion is relieved and a relaxation response is achieved. As a result, clients find that utilizing this technique is an effective adjunct to healing negative beliefs and traumas. EFT can effectively address fears, phobias, anger, grief, anxiety, depression, traumatic memories, worry, guilt, and all limiting emotions.
Process Accupressure
Process Acupressure (PA) was developed by Aminah Raheem, Ph.D. as a holistic way to work with the active energy of both body and soul for healing and growth. She has taught the method internationally for more then twenty five years.
PA is an exceptionally effective method for facilitating a deep, supportive, and potentially transformational experience. It is a gentle and simple way to enhance health, personal awareness and growth.
The session is given while the client rests on a massage table, fully clothed. The practitioner applies firm, gentle finger pressure to specific acupoint combinations, and encourages the client to notice what they are experiencing. Often, by acknowledging and addressing what arises in the mind, emotions, body and spirit during a session, positive change can begin to occur. The unique essence of the individual is magnified and brought into clearer focus.
The client is empowered to choose the pace and depth of this exploration at all times. A full session lasts about one hour.
PA can stand alone as a therapeutic modality or it can be combined with psychotherapy or other bodywork modalities. It does not replace medical care, and is not appropriate for severe medical problems or psychosis.
Resources
