What is Energy Psychology?

Definition for Therapists, Other Practitioners and Organizational Leaders

  • Energy Psychology Is

    Energy Psychology (EP) is an integrative discipline encompassing evidence-based and evidence-informed methods that use multidimensional interventions to support psychological restoration, wellbeing, self-regulation, resilience, and optimal functioning. Many EP modalities focus specifically on energy pathways, energy centers, and/or the biofield. Other approaches acknowledge an impact on the energetic system while facilitating improvement other levels: somatic, emotional, cognitive, and/or spiritual. Many EP protocols incorporate a combination of these, although energy dynamics are assumed to be their final common pathway.


    Research support varies by method, population, condition, and application. Research citations are available at https://www.energypsych.org/researchdb8c71b7



    "I was trained at some of the best schools and yet wasn’t able to get far with some people, particularly those with trauma and addictions. And then I started using energy psychology. I made more progress with patients in a session or two than I had in several years of treating them. It blew me away."     Anthony Tranguch, MD, PhD



    "These treatments eliminated the chronic anxiety that I have had throughout my adult life and allowed me to recover an emotional clarity and simplicity of emotional experience that I possessed as a child. I consider this experience on the miraculous level - both the elimination of the anxiety and the cognitive experience."      P.C. / Pennsylvania 


    "I was skeptical when my executive coach taught me energy psychology techniques. But now I use them all the time to reduce my stress and improve my ability to function at work."   A.T. / Philadelphia  



    The most common examples of energy psychology methods are: 

    • “Tapping” Methods: such as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Thought Field Therapy (TFT).  
    • Chakra Methods: such as Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) or Heart Assisted Therapy (HAT) 
    • Combination methods: such as Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Comprehensive Energy Psychology (CEP)

    Most EP approaches are gentle and do not require that you relive traumatic memories. In addition, you will often learn self-help methods you can use on your own. EP approaches can rapidly help people reduce strong painful emotions, process traumatic events, shift limiting beliefs and live with greater love.   


    You can use energy psychology techniques by yourself and with a therapist, coach or other trained professional.  


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Does energy psychology really work? Is it evidence-based? 

Yes. 

Tens of thousands of professionals throughout the world, and a robust body of research show these methods work, time after time, in a wide variety of situations. 


For example, studies have shown that energy psychology has helped…

 

  • Veterans heal PTSD

 

  • Students reduce anxiety 


  • Rwandan genocide survivors heal trauma

 

  • Overweight people reduce food cravings 


Over 300+ research studies have been published in professional and refereed journals, and 99% document energy psychology’s effectiveness.

 

  • 103+ randomized controlled trials 


  • 95+ pre-post clinical outcome studies

 

  • 9 meta-analyses show energy psychology is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety and PTSD 
  • Randomized control trials document positive physiological outcome for energy psychology: gene expression, immunological changes and stress biochemistry.


  • 5 fMRI studies document neurological changes after using energy psychology 


Taken as a body of knowledge, these findings suggest that energy psychology meets the criteria for evidenced-based treatment.  


There are over 400 identified forms of psychotherapy, many of which have little or no research to validate them. Energy psychology is both evidence-based and in the top 10% in terms of published research for psychotherapy modalities. 


Learn more about the research


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