Energy psychology combines Eastern approaches of mind-body connection with Western psychology ideas. It looks at the relationship between human energies. These include thoughts, emotions and bioenergy systems (meridians and chakras).
Traditional psychology uses a mind-body-energy system. In contrast, energy psychology treats emotional issues as bio-energetic patterns in a mind-body-energy system.
Many practitioners combine physical and cognitive treatments, with a focus on particular bio-energy systems.
For example, a patient can recall a traumatic memory out loud. As they do, they tap various energy points on the body.
This is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). The physical element is tapping. The cognitive part is to make statements out loud. The particular bio-energy system will depend on the dysfunction needing treatment.
Try this EFT example out for yourself:
Limits of talk-based psychotherapy
The weak connection between talking and healing started in 1952. Psychologist Hans Eysenck found that only 44% of patients receiving Freudian treatment improved.
In 2014, a study proposed four broad cognitive biases in the psychotherapy industry:
- Naïve realism: an assumption that the world is as we see it.
- Confirmation bias: a tendency to seek out evidence consistent with one’s hypothesis. At the same time, this bias ignores or distorts any evidence to the contrary.
- Illusory causation: a powerful propensity to see cause-and-effect where none exists.
- Illusion of control: the tendency to overestimate one’s ability to shape events. It predisposes therapists to believe they have more power than they do.
Energy Psychology Principles
Talking about anxiety doesn’t make it go away. Luckily, beyond limited talk-based therapies are energy-based ones. Those mix ancient knowledge, quantum theories and spiritual concepts.
Energy Psychology uses ancient mind-body techniques like acupressure, yoga and qi gong. The point is to release traumatic events frozen in time, within the mind-body system.
Childhood events that cause disassociation remain in the quantum field. These remain not only as memories but also as specific energy bodies. These bodies orbit the psyche, influencing thought patterns in the present.
Using thought energy, practitioners guide the patient to “release” those energies.
Matrix reimprinting
Matrix Reimprinting sees past negative memories as ‘holograms’ within the mind-body-field. Those must get addressed. Otherwise, the patient will keep tuning into them on a subconscious level.
Like EFT, it’s concepts follow the Traditional Chinese Medicine meridian system. With EFT, you verbalise (in a specific manner) an issue that you want to work with. At the same time you tap on points on your meridians with your fingers. This releases stress and trauma from the body’s energy system. As a result, the body-mind returns to a healthy physical and emotional state.
But this only takes the emotional intensity out of a past memory. In contrast, matrix Reimprinting seeks to transform the memory. patients recall memories, reimagine them, and then hold that as their new “imprint”.
Check out this example of how Matrix Reimprinting works:
Getting started with energy psychology
Consider this workflow:
- Prepare your mind and body: eat clean, get some exercise and adequate rest. The purpose is to calm a turbulent mind. If you are drunk, stoned or full of junk food, your mind will not respond.
- Practice mindfulness: this is easy to master if you practice a few minutes every day.
- Practice visualization: create a detailed picture in your mind of life without anxiety. Picture it in your mind and visualize how all the five senses respond.
Conclusion
First, identify the root source of your anxiety. Then follow the energy psychology tips outlined in this article. the gist is to go back to bad memories to release their frozen energies. That energy dissipates into the ether, living you free and clear to live the life of your choosing.
