Energy psychology has been around since the 1980s and has been practiced in many different forms, including touch therapy, TFT (thought field therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), to name just a few. EFT, or "Emotional Freedom Techniques" is the latest incarnation of energy psychology, and like its predecessors, it has attracted both enthusiastic converts and harsh critics.
Energy psychology has its origins in Oriental medicine, and is based on the belief that illness is caused by disturbances in the body energy field, and that we can relieve trauma and restore the body's natural energy flow by tapping meridian points on the upper body and hands.
Googling "EFT" will land you sooner or later on Gary Craig's emofree.com web site, whose hard-sell approach is enough to turn off all but the perversely curious. On the plus side, for the price of your e-mail address, you can download Craig's 87-page EFT manual, which includes a remarkably simple explanation of the technique.
"I was initially skeptical, not just because of the extravagant claims, but because it just seemed too easy," says Mirasol Aftercare Coordinator Ann Twilley.
At Mirasol, Twilley explored various energy psychology techniques such a Brain Gym, acupuncture and polarity therapy, and was surprised by the effectiveness of these body-centered techniques in the treatment of eating disorders. She began studying EFT, practicing the technique on herself and her fellow students, and went on to earn her certification in October, 2008. Now she's using EFT on a regular basis with her aftercare groups, weekly Tucson support group and monthly telegroup, as well as participating in a national study on its effectiveness in treating veterans with PTSD.
In its simplest form, EFT involves repeating a "neutralizing" affirmation while rubbing the "sore spot" (on the upper right or left chest) or tapping the "karate chop point" on the outside of either hand, and specific points on the face and body. For a client with an eating disorder, a typical affirmation might be, "Even though I have this eating disorder, I deeply and completely accept myself." If the client has significant trauma, Ann may walk her through the traumatic event one step at a time, tapping to relieve the anxiety in the moment until she's ready to move on to the next step.
Can something so simple really help cure serious emotional and physical illness? Ann Twilley reminds us that acupuncture and EMDR was originally dismissed as quackery by the medical establishment, but is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
"More than 85% of the people who try EFT report positive results. It's great for limiting beliefs, trauma and phobias," says Twilley. "And besides, it's so friendly and easy to do — what do you have to lose by trying it?"
My experience at Mirasol
was irreplaceable!
Regardless of what happens in the future, I will permanently altered because of what I have learned at Mirasol and especially after my exposure to other programs. I would HIGHLY recommend Mirasol to anyone who is considering residential treatment. Thank you to the staff - I love you all.
