Psychological flexibility and energy psychology defined

Psychological flexibility entails the ability to stay present, open to difficult thoughts and feelings, and act effectively in line with your values. Core components include:

• Acceptance/willingness
• De-fusion (distancing and disengaging from distressing and limiting thoughts and emotions)
• Present moment awareness (mindfulness)
• Self-as-context (rather than self-as-content or limiting conceptual-self beliefs)
• Values (how you want to go through life)
• Committed action in line with your values 
   

Energy psychology is family of mind-body approaches that often combine focusing on a specific psychological issue (thought, belief, feeling, memory) with stimulating points on the body (e.g., acupoints, chakras, biofields). Examples include EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), TFT (Thought Field Therapy), TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique), AIT (Advanced Integrative Therapies) and MLT (Midline Technique).

Proponents suggest that these concepts and techniques work by interacting with the body's bio-energy system (meridians, biofields, etc.). More conventional explanations often involve neurological mechanisms like calming the amygdala, improving lateral granular pre-frontal cortex functioning, exposure effects, somatic relaxation, and cognitive shifts. 

How energy psychology methods can enhance psychological flexibility

1.    Rapid reduction of emotional intensity (promoting acceptance/willingness)

Energy psychology techniques are often reported to quickly decrease the intensity of distressing emotions (fear, anxiety, anger, sadness) tied to specific thoughts or memories. 
 
When an emotion feels less overwhelming and threatening, an individual may find it easier to allow it to be present without resorting to avoidance tactics. This aligns directly with the acceptance/willingness component of psychological flexibility – making room for discomfort rather than struggling against it. If the "volume" of the distress is turned down, willingness becomes less daunting.
 

2.    Decoupling stimulus and response (promoting de-fusion)

Energy psychology often involves bringing a distressing thought or memory to mind while simultaneously performing the somatic intervention (e.g., tapping, heart-breathing). This pairing disrupts the conditioned emotional response linked to the thought/memory by promoting the unimpeded flow of bioenergy. 
 
The result can be that the thought no longer automatically triggers the same high level of distress. This creates space between the thought and the emotional reaction, fostering cognitive de-fusion. The person can observe the thought ("I notice that I'm having the thought that...") without being completely fused with its emotional impact or perceived truth. 

3.    Anchoring in the present moment

The physical act of tapping or holding specific points requires attention and brings awareness to bodily sensations. This can serve as an anchor to the present moment.

By focusing on the physical process, individuals may interrupt cycles of rumination about the past or anxious projection into the future, enhancing their ability to connect with the here and now.
 

4.    Altering somatic markers of distress (promoting acceptance and de-fusion)

Psychological distress often has strong physical correlates (e.g., tightness in the chest, knots in the stomach, uncomfortable stirring sensations). Energy psychology directly engages with these bodily sensations. 

If the energy psychology technique leads to a noticeable reduction in these physical markers while the person is focused on the associated psychological issue, it can increase willingness (the physical experience is less aversive) and contribute to de-fusion (the body is no longer providing such strong "evidence" for the overwhelming truth or danger signaled by the thought).
 

5.    Clearing obstacles to valued action

Often, what prevents people from taking committed action towards their values is the presence of overwhelming fear, anxiety, self-doubt, or limiting beliefs.

By reducing the emotional charge and believability of these internal barriers, energy psychology methods can potentially free up the capacity to engage in behaviors that matter. Most energy psychology methods don’t directly teach values clarification; they can remove the emotional roadblocks that make value-driven living feel impossible. The Outcome Projection Procedure of Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods (EDxTM) also supports taking actions in line with personal values. Energy psychology methods can apply this and related strategies to clarify values and promote action consistent with your values.
 

6.    Shifting Limiting Beliefs (Promoting De-fusion & Enabling Action)

Energy psychology is frequently used to target specific limiting beliefs (e.g., "I'm not worthy," "I can't succeed").

By reducing the emotional conviction attached to these beliefs, energy psychology functions similarly to de-fusion, making the beliefs less solid and powerful. This, again, can open the door to considering alternative perspectives and taking actions that were previously blocked by the belief.

Important Considerations

Mechanisms
While effective for many, the precise mechanisms of energy psychology are still debated. Whether it's "energy balancing" or neurological/psychophysiological effects (like amygdala downregulation via acupoint stimulation, enhanced lateral granular pre-frontal cortex and associated circuitry functioning, exposure elements, placebo, relaxation response), the outcome for the individual can be a state more conducive to psychological flexibility.

Focus
Energy psychology primarily targets the reduction of specific distress and maladaptive patterns. It doesn't necessarily involve explicit training in all psychological flexibility components like values clarification or self-as-context in the way some cognitive behavioral approaches do, although some energy psychology approaches focus on instilling values, positive beliefs, and a trajectory toward positive actions. In general, energy psychology’s contribution is often seen as clearing the emotional/somatic "underbrush" that hinders flexibility.

Integration
Some therapists integrate energy psychology techniques within a broader framework (which might include other models) to help clients overcome specific sticking points, thereby facilitating the overall process of building psychological flexibility.

The bottom line

In essence, energy psychology methods enhance psychological flexibility primarily by rapidly reducing the emotional and somatic distress that fuels psychological inflexibility (like experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion). By creating more internal space and calm, these therapies can potentially make it easier for individuals to be present, open, and move towards what they value.

What you can do

• Want to learn more, deepen your skills, and build your community while earning continuing education credits? Get trained in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Thought Field Therapy (TFT).
   
  
• Are you looking for a learning community of holistic practitioners who are dedicated to expanding the use of these methods? Become an ACEP member!
   
  
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Author

Fred Gallo, PhD, DCEP, has been a practicing clinical psychologist since 1974. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and Pennsylvania Psychological Association and served as ACEP president. A major focus of his work has been energy psychology approaches, about which he has been writing and lecturing since 1993. His 1998 book Energy Psychology was groundbreaking and coined the field. He has published numerous articles, manuals, and 9 books, the latest being The Tapping Toolbox . energypsych.com