Overview of Energy Psychology/EFT Tapping in Practice

More than 100 peer-reviewed clinical trials and 4 meta-analytic reviews suggest that stimulating a prescribed set of acupressure points can improve outcomes in the treatment of a range of conditions, from depression to generalized anxiety to PTSD. However, having clients tap a variety of points on their skin while repeating phrases suggested by the therapist can look strange, is often a large leap from traditional teachings in psychotherapy training programs, and turns to ancient healing systems rather than contemporary scientific understanding in initially explaining its mechanisms of action. In any case, to many it seems too simplistic to be effective.

Called “energy psychology,” with its most well-known variations being Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Thought Field Therapy (TFT), many in the clinical community have regarded the claims of proponents with understandable skepticism and criticism. Nonetheless, more than 40 years after the approach was introduced, its popularity continues to grow, both among psychotherapists and within the general public. Over half a million people have participated in an online annual World Tapping Summit every year for more than a decade. A professional organization for energy psychology has more than 1,200 members, and it is estimated that thousands of psychotherapists have introduced some version of the approach into their practices.

Most therapists who incorporate acupoint tapping use it as an adjunct to the frameworks they were already using when they learned the method, rather than as a stand-alone therapy. In this 2-hour continuing education web conference, David Feinstein, PhD will discuss acupoint tapping sessions and what is occurring clinically as well as neurologically during this treatment. Dr. Feinstein will also discuss how the technique is applied in practice, outline research supporting it, and examine criticisms of the approach.

This introductory instructional level web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Describe two strengths claimed by proponents of energy psychology and acupoint tapping treatments.
2. Describe two concerns skeptics have expressed about energy psychology and acupoint tapping treatments.
3. Summarize the research base supporting energy psychology and acupoint tapping treatments.
4. Recognize the key ingredient that distinguishes energy psychology protocols from other treatment approaches.
5. Discuss the clinical significance of the finding that stimulating selected acupressure points sends downregulating signals to the amygdala.
6. Describe the basic components of an energy psychology session.

Statement of program material's accuracy, utility, and risks: This program presents a clinical innovation that combines established psychotherapeutic methods such as cognitive restructuring and imaginal exposure with principles and techniques from the field of acupressure. It is consistent with the ethics code of the American Psychological Association and also has its own established code of ethics as developed by the Association of Comprehensive Psychology, an approved CE Sponsor of the APA. Statements about approval or denial of services are according to presenter’s understanding of medical necessity and clinical documentation standards at the time of the program. This program discusses strategies for applying the methods taught in a clinically responsible manner, although the presenter may not know how to apply all principles discussed to every situation or person. A body of research surveyed in the program suggests that the methods are effective and safe. As always, however, misapplication of psychotherapeutic interventions with mentally vulnerable populations can lead to harmful outcomes.

Declaration of conflicts of interest and commercial support: The presenter conducts trainings, provides clinical services, and has written books related to the content of this program.

If you have any questions, please contact us here.

References:

1. Church, D., & Feinstein, D. (2017, August 1). The manual stimulation of acupuncture points in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: A review of the clinical emotional freedom techniques. Medical Acupuncture, 29(4), 194-205. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28874920
2. Feinstein, D. (2018). Energy psychology: Efficacy, speed, mechanisms. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.11.003

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

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GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this course.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

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