Thought Field Therapy

Thought Field Therapy

Indications

 

 

Help overcome phobias.

 

Thought Field Therapy / Emotion Release Technique – Presentation

TCP Thought Field Therapy (Thought Field Therapy TFT) and its simplified version, the TLÉ Emotion Release Technique (Emotional Freedom Techniques EFT), are two psychotherapeutic approaches known as “psychological acupuncture”. Supported by very dynamic marketing, they are often presented, among others on the Internet, as being very simple and extremely effective – which can arouse a certain suspicion. Created by credible health professionals, they nevertheless seem to be based on coherent theoretical foundations. That said, very few rigorous scientific studies have been done to assess their effectiveness.

 

Both TCP and TLÉ combine a form of acupressure and mental focus. The practice consists of lightly tapping, with two or three fingers, a series of acupuncture points while repeating different sentences or statements related to the problem to be solved. These techniques are most often practiced independently and individually after a short initiation with a therapist or after distance training, among others with the help of videos.

TCP / TLÉ are particularly aimed at anxiety disorders: stress and generalized anxiety, various phobias, post-traumatic stress, depression, insomnia, as well as the addictions which are often related to them (smoking, sugar, alcohol, drugs).

Like other therapies that use meridians and acupuncture points, TCP / TEPs seek to restore the flow of energy in the body to promote healing. The general theory holds that when there is a blockage, that is, when energy does not flow smoothly through the body, disease can occur. The source of many psychological problems is thought to be this imbalance, which also causes various physical symptoms, including obesity, migraines and arthritis. A more harmonious circulation of energy would therefore promote the healing of these problems.

Although very few studies concerning these methods have been published in scientific journals, their instigators claim that they are exceptionally effective. Thus, it is said that in 80% to 90% of cases, the problems will be definitively resolved in a single session of ten minutes. The remaining 10% to 20% would reveal more complex problems, which require repeated and more in-depth interventions, under the supervision of a practitioner.

TCP, discovered “by chance”

Thought Field Therapy (TCP) was developed in the early 1980s by the American psychologist Roger J. Callahan. History has it that the practitioner discovered this therapy almost by accident. One of his patients, Mary, suffered from a severe phobia of water. After 18 months of treatment, during which Callahan had tested a variety of techniques – cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, relaxation, biofeedback – Mary still couldn’t approach a swimming pool. The mere thought of a body of water was enough to make his stomach contract.

The psychologist then had the idea of ​​asking Mary to tap the underside of her eye with two fingers, an area which, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, corresponds to the starting point of the stomach meridian. During this time, she had to concentrate on her fear of water, which usually made her stomach ache. After a few moments, his stomach relaxed. Mary would then have run to the edge of a swimming pool near the office to splash water on her face. His phobia would never have reappeared.

Callahan was inspired by this experience to develop Thought Field Therapy. By dint of experimentation, he designed around fifteen “tapping” sequences, called algorithms, which include different acupuncture points, depending on the nature of the problems.

TLÉ, a simplified approach

The Emotion Release Technique (TLÉ) was designed by Gary Craig, a student of Callahan, who describes himself as passionate about personal growth. Craig, a pastor, also practices neurolinguistic programming (NLP). In ELT, it is proposed to use a single tapping sequence, which includes a greater number of points and which would be adequate for a very wide variety of problems. Here, the emphasis is mainly on the precision of the wording of the sentences which accompany the tapping of the acupuncture points.

 

Note. As is the case with EMDR, and probably with many other brief psychotherapies, the more specific and well-defined the problem, the more likely the technique is to work. But in many cases, the components of a problem are multiple, complex, and involve all kinds of defense mechanisms. It takes special expertise and perhaps the help of a qualified therapist to flush out the true origin of the problem, before hoping to resolve it. The TLÉ site offers various techniques to discover which are the simple components that cause a complex problem. But, despite their apparent simplicity, one can wonder if these techniques are within the reach of the first comer.

Thought Field Therapy / Emotion Release Technique – Therapeutic Applications

The effectiveness of these self-therapies has not been scientifically demonstrated, whether for the treatment of anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress, depression, etc.) or that of the various physical symptoms that may be associated with them (insomnia, arthritis, migraines, etc.).

Only two controlled research have been published so far. On the other hand, testimonials and case studies abound.1-4 . In 2001, an uncontrolled study of 714 subjects was published5. A single session of TCP resulted in a reduction in the level of distress perceived by subjects for a wide variety of ailments and symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc.

Research

 Help overcome phobias. In 2003, the Emotion Release Technique (TLÉ) was the subject of a randomized clinical trial in small animal phobia.6 (35 subjects). The results indicate that a single 30-minute TLE session is more effective than a control session (diaphragmatic breathing). Some of the observed beneficial effects persisted for up to nine months after surgery.

A second clinical trial conducted with 119 university students suffering from any phobia (height, confined spaces, animals, insects, public speaking, etc.) was published in 2003.7. This trial evaluated the effects of four treatments: TLÉ; Placebo TLÉ where the acupressure points were far from the meridians; control procedure where the “tapping” was done on a doll; no treatment. The results indicate that ELT may be effective in reducing phobias, but that this beneficial effect is not greater than that observed following the placebo ELT sessions or the control procedure. The authors concluded that some components of the Emotion Release Technique could have a positive effect in subjects with phobia, but that these effects are not related to acupressure points.

Thought Field Therapy / Emotion Release Technique – In Practice

There are several ways to learn TCP / TLÉ techniques. Distance education programs, in the form of videos and CD-ROMs, are offered by Roger J. Callahan and Gary Craig (see Sites of interest). After following them, you can self-treat by discovering your own problems and tapping the acupuncture points. See also Books, etc. to download the TLÉ Basic Manual for free.

You can also use the help of therapists trained in one or the other of these approaches (typing TFT or EFT in search engines). They organize workshops and one-on-one meetings, and many offer telephone consultations. During a session (in person or on the phone), the practitioner tries to help his patient to discover the various components of a problem; each time a component is identified, the patient tapping the points himself. After each tapping, the client reassesses the severity of the symptom on a scale of one to ten. Punctuated back and forth between tapping and evaluation of sensations, the session continues until the problem is fully resolved.

The basic process is very simple, but all sorts of refinements have been added to it (particular “tapping” sequences, eye exercises, special affirmations, etc.) which, according to practitioners, would help to combat a multitude of problems. Various aid providers use TCP / TLÉ in addition to other techniques.

Thought field therapy / Emotion release technique – Professional training

Thought Field Therapy is a registered trademark; only therapists trained and accredited in Callahan techniques have the right to use the expression in their practice. The technique of liberation of emotions, it is not legally protected; its practice is therefore open to all. Thus, anyone who has followed a training, however basic it may be, can claim to be a practitioner. So do not hesitate to ask the therapist questions about his training and experience in health and helping relationships. It should be remembered that finding the root causes behind a psychological problem often requires a great deal of professional skill that cannot be learned in a matter of days.

Thought Field Therapy / Emotion Release Technique – Books, etc.

Callahan Roger J., Trubo Richard. Tapping the Healer Within: Using Thought-Field Therapy to Instantly Conquer Your Fears, Anxieties, and Emotional Distress, McGraw Hill, United States, 2002.

The most recent book from the creator of TCP. On the menu: how to overcome phobias, anxieties, addictions and other psychological problems on your own.

Craig Gary. The EFT Manual. United States.

The founder of TLÉ offers the basic book (80 pages) for free. Download from www.emofree.com. Free French version (103 pages) available on www.wisdomofbeing.com.

Thought Field Therapy / Emotion Release Technique – Sites of Interest

Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology

General information on several energy psychotherapies, including TCP and TLÉ.

www.energypsych.org

Callahan Techniques/Thought Field Therapy

Official site of Thought Field Therapy. Everything about the creator of the technique and his ideas.

www.tftrx.com

Emotional Freedom Techniques

Website of Gary Craig, founder of the Emotion Release Technique. Very rich.

www.emofree.com

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