Robin Trainor was an early adopter of energy psychology (EP) techniques. In fact, she presented at one of ACEP’s first conferences. She has worked with people in recovery from addictions, most of whom had underlying trauma, for more than 40 years. Robin, with a group of deeply talented clinicians and researchers, started a nonprofit, FREA. This organization serves those who survived sexual violence. You can read our blog about FREA here. Robin continues to use EP to help people in need in her therapy practice and beyond!

Meet our hero: Robin Trainor

Robin specializes in working with clients in recovery. Through that work, she noted that most of her clients had a lot of childhood trauma. She put together a support group for adult children of alcoholics. Most participants in this group enjoyed the interaction and bonded with their peers. However, there was a segment that did not want to spend time with the group and did not enjoy the social interaction. These people, it turned out, were survivors of sexual abuse. 

Before energy psychology: Clients in need, therapist in need

Because there was a clear need for help, but the current group model did not suit them, Robin decided that this population needed a group for themselves. The problem was that there was no structure for this; no research pointed in the right direction; no roadmap had been drawn for survivors of sexual abuse. “I prayed,” she said, “understanding that although I did not know what to do, the power that created us does know what to do.” The best way forward, she decided, was to let the group evolve, and trust.

Before finding energy psychology, EFT and EMDR, Robin said, she had a thriving practice, focusing on trauma, with a caseload of 40 clients and nine clinicians working for her. However, much as she applied the best of clinical skills, people really did not get better. “I didn’t realize how compromised I’d become,” she said. It was the inability to get results that was depleting her. 

The “new” tool that changed all that

Energy psychology tools changed all that. Robin was an early adopter of EMDR and energy psychology practices. At her first ACEP conference, she met Gary Craig. The first time she did EFT, it made a radical difference in her life. She was so struck by the power of this technique, that while her friends went to dinner, Robin stayed in her room to tap away long-held issues. 

Robin invited Gary Craig to do a training in her area. “People thought we were weird. Which we were,” she laughs. Robin became passionate about learning energy techniques. She found that these tools made a huge difference in ongoing recovery. She was energized and excited about her work in her therapy practice, where her clients were making so much progress. 

Bolstered by this success and seeing the tremendous need, Robin was also led to create – with a dedicated group of likeminded practitioners – a nonprofit volunteer organization, FREA (Freedom, Recovery, and Empowerment from Abuse). FREA is dedicated to sharing these powerful EP tools throughout the US and beyond, moving from a one-to-one to a one-to-many therapy model.

Results 

At a spiritual retreat in Mexico, Robin met Barbara (name changed for privacy). Barbara shared that she had been gang raped ten years earlier; the rage she felt was eating her up and ruining her life. She could not forgive her assailants, and her life was getting worse. 

Robin asked her if she wanted to clear this trauma. Barbara, who had tried almost everything, was skeptical but willing. The two found a space in hotel and got to work. At the beginning, Barbara said her distress was a 10 on a 10-scale. After tapping for about ten minutes, it reduced to zero. Then Robin led Barbara through the Tell the Story Technique. After about 45 minutes, Barbara could tell the story with no charge at all. 

A year later, these results held. 

Looking ahead 

Today, Robin is semi-retired and working with FREA. Her vision for her future is to see her motivated, inspiring clients, and to shepherd FREA to provide the structure and ability to train domestic abuse shelters and rape crisis centers, primarily “care for the caregiver” and “train the trainer” to help share EP with those in need. The vision is to train the staff of these centers to offer EP to their clients. Her favorite emergency self-care tool is the Butterfly hug, which provides quick relief for people with anxiety or experiencing trauma. 

Feel inspired?

Robin was using EP techniques before they started making inroads toward the mainstream. We are still working in that direction! Her story might inspire us to push beyond the limits of our comfort zones, and to provide healing tools to people in need. If you want to learn more about energy psychology, sign up for ACEP’s training, or get certified.

Author

Sarah Murphy, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and coach with more than 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in energy psychology, including EFT, as well as mindfulness and hypnotherapy. In her therapy practice, she works with individuals seeking to find peace within themselves, people who have serious medical diagnoses, and couples who want to resolve conflict and live in harmony. Sarah's personal motto is that we are here to create a more peaceful world, one more-peaceful person at a time. She is an ACEP Board member and chair of the Communications Committee. Learn more at www.transformative-therapy.com.