Energy Psychology is a Western approach to healing and
psychological well-being that focuses on the energy systems that are present
in the body. It is a mind-body approach to therapy and healing that states
that the human body has different energy states and the flow of these energy
states is influential on our moods, emotions and thoughts.
To understand this approach you can look at the example of a knotted rope.
Imagine that there is a rope and there are several knots in it. Now if you
pass a small ring through the rope you will realise that the ring cannot pass
through the rope smoothly because it will encounter different knots. Our body
system is like the rope that has different knots (or obstacles) that represent
trauma from difficult situations and moments, and the ring represents energy
flow. When energy flow passes through the body, it will face many obstacles
because of the different knots present in the body. These knots will obstruct
the energy flow and this can cause a lot of imbalance of the flow in our body.
Imbalances lead to mental disturbances, and emotional distress.
Although research has been done to test the effectiveness of energy psychology
healing techniques, caution has to be practised while executing these because
this type of therapy involves a lot of exposure. It is only through exposure
that the knots and obstacles we have will be undone so that the energy flow
throughout the body is smooth. If the exposure techniques are not done in the
right manner, then the traumatic memories and events that are retold will have
a post-traumatic ripple effect.
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Types of Energy Psychology
There are different types of Energy psychology. Each type describes different
therapeutic techniques and healing methods. The main ones are,
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - Emotional Freedom
Technique is also known as a “tapping” technique. In this technique, emotional
issues are resolved by tapping on certain acupoints all over the body while
vocalising the issues. This process is best felt when followed by a trained
professional. In this type of therapy,
anxiety-provoking memories and instances are evoked while tapping certain body
parts.
Thought Field Therapy (TFT) -
This is another technique that involves tapping acupoints all over the body.
The only difference between this and EFT is that in TFT tapping is done in
specific, timed sequences. These sequences are determined using algorithms
that are designed based on the problems that the patient has. Once individual
algorithms are created based on the issues, then tapping is done by a
professional to resolve the stored trauma.
Tapas Acupressure Therapy (TAT) -
This is an acupuncture therapeutic technique that is done by an acupuncturist.
In this technique, pressure is applied with fingers on certain pressure points
on the head and the face. Along with pressure, the client is encouraged to
think positive thoughts and imagery and imagine the source of their problems
and issues. After the trauma has been evoked, the tapping is done for healing
and resolving the trauma stored in the body.
Applications of Energy Psychology
Energy Psychology has many applications. As mentioned previously, it is used
for improving your mental state and well-being. Some applications are,
Reducing Stress - Techniques that involve tapping are
extremely useful in reducing the stress that is stored and promotes relaxation
throughout the body. The tapping can also serve as a useful coping technique
for self-administration purposes that can improve your ability to deal with
daily stressors.
Alleviating Anxiety - Energy Psychology techniques are useful
for managing symptoms of
anxiety. When you verbalise your problems along with tapping, you are preparing your
mind and body to address the problem and this puts you in action mode to make
a change. It also helps you in generating awareness about your mental state of
being.
Helpful in Phobias and Fears -The techniques under Energy
Psychology involve a lot of exposure to one’s traumatic memories or thoughts.
This is a useful technique for getting rid of phobias and fears. The only way
phobias and fears are resolved when systematic desensitisation happens. This
is possible through tapping techniques.
Mood Booster -Energy Psychology techniques are good mood
boosters. Mood problems like
depression
and bipolar can be addressed through relaxing tapping techniques. Problems
like negative thought patterns and emotions are resolved with a more holistic
approach.
Resolving Trauma (Emotional and Physical) -When you tap on
acupressure points and verbalise the negative thoughts at the same time, then
the tapping helps in releasing the trauma from the mind and the body. The
tapping is useful in emotional healing because it releases emotional baggage
and helps in building resilience.
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Benefits and Limitations of Energy Psychology
Energy Psychology approach has been critiqued a lot. While there is some
amount of research evidence, it is not sufficient enough to be called an
evidence based technique. These are some benefits to this approach,
It has been found to be useful in situations where there are phobias, stress
attacks, severe anxiety, pain from trauma and traumatic memories, chronic body
pain and mood disorders like
depression.
This approach is a low risk approach toward healing because their aim is to
promote relaxation and calm and so you will never be pushed beyond any comfort
level.
It is a simple technique but when administered by the right, qualified
professionals, it can promote well-being and happiness to the person.
This is one such approach that has a lot of self-help strategies that can be
administered on yourself without much hassle.
It is a holistic approach because it does not look at the mind as separate
from the body but it also incorporates the physiological aspects as well. This
is a mind-body approach to healing and well-being.
As mentioned previously, this approach is a popular one because it also has
gone through a lot of criticism, for example,
No proper scientific evidence has been provided to argue for the benefits of
this approach. The evidence is only anecdotal and it has not been able to be
generalised because of the lack of scientific questioning and enquiry.
This approach uses the placebo theory in its theories. And most of the
benefits that have been obtained are sometimes attributed to the placebo
effect. This raises a big question about the effectiveness of the
treatment.
The healing techniques that come under this approach have to be practised by
qualified professionals, however, due to its simplicity, many people have
taken to these healing techniques and have faced difficulties. This raises a
lot of ethical concerns that could potentially damage a person physically and
psychologically.
While the reliability of this approach is still under a lot of scrutiny, it is
a healthy approach to consider because it will help you to notice and
experience more positive emotions and snap out of negative experiences so that
you don’t dwell on it.
Self-Help Strategies
While most of the Energy Psychology techniques are most effective when they
are administered by a professional therapist, there are some techniques that
can be practised on yourself without any external intervention,
Stress Reduction Tapping - Tapping for stress reduction is an
effective tool that helps in alleviating
anxiety
and
stress. When you tap on the pressure points that are present all over the body you
are allowing your body to release the trauma that it has stored. This will
also be a relaxing technique that will bring your body to a state of
homeostasis.
Grounding Exercises for Mindfulness -Grounding exercises are
exercises that help to bring you to the present moment. Exercises like mindful
breathing, the “5,4,3,2,1” technique, will bring you to become aware of the
sensations so that your mind doesn’t wander into the past or the future and
allows you to be in the moment.
Self-Reflection through Journaling- Journaling has proven to
be a very effective technique that helps in clearing your thoughts and energy.
This is because through journaling you can allow yourself to reflect on
yourself and your true emotions that will eventually help you in clearing all
the negative energy you are holding in your mind.
Energy Psychology is a unique but holistic approach towards well-being and
healing. It must be practised with caution but if done properly it can boost
the body’s system and bring back lost vitality into your spirit.
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