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•	Where Did it Originate
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Energy Psychology

Where Did it Originate

While the Western world has been slow in understanding and accepting the concept of vital energy and the energy system of the body, both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine have used energy therapies for over five thousands of years. The discovery of the human energy system formed the basis of many energy therapies including Acupuncture, Acupressure, Qigong, Yoga, Reiki, Chakra Therapy, Chromatherapy, Reflexology, and a method of Kinesiology as it is used in Energy Psychology. Refinement of these therapies has led to formalized and structured procedures to stimulate the energy flow and address various conditions and illnesses. The most popular of these procedures is Acupuncture which is now not only recognized by conventional medicine to a substantial degree, but is also covered by many health insurance plans.

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), was first developed by physical therapists Florence and Henry Kendall to test the function and strength of systems of the body. Muscle testing is a generic term used for assessing a person’s symptoms and issues by means of indicator muscles. In 1964, Dr. George Goodheart, a Chiropractor from Detroit, MI began experimenting with MMT and for the treatment methods that could improve muscle strength, and also use muscle strength as an indicator of health. He discovered many factors, physical, emotional, and mental, that could positively or negatively affect muscle strength. He named this discovery "Applied Kinesiology", a customized discipline of Kinesiology (the study of the motion, movement and functions of the musclular system). While studying Chinese medicine, Dr. Goodheart discovered that it was possible to substitute pressure for needles in touching acupuncture points (acupoints), as well as tapping on the points By bringing knowledge of muscle testing to the arena, Goodheart and his colleagues discovered a relationship between the various muscles and the energy meridian pathways outlined in Chinese medicine.

During the 1980s, Australian psychiatrist Dr. John Diamond developed Behavioral Kinesiology after studying Applied Kinesiology. This involved integrating aspects of psychiatry, kinesiology, affirmations, thoughts, imagery, and other therapies to both determine and then balance the flow of vital energy within the body. This was the first attempt at integrating Applied Kinesiology and psychotherapy.

In 1979, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan studied Applied Kinesiology and Dr. Diamond's approach and became certified by the International College of Applied Kinesiology. He found that while tapping on acupoints, it helped to eliminate fear-based emotions such as phobias, guilt, anxieties, and painful memories. Dr. Callahan provided substantial clinical work on the subject and in 1981 developed the “Thought Field Therapy” (also known as "TFT" or the “Callahan Technique”) which is a primary technique used in Energy Psychology.

Currently licensed in New York and California, Dr. Callahan heads the Thought Field Therapy Training Center in La Quinta, California.

Retired engineer Gary Craig completed the training courses for the Thought Field Therapy technique. Considering it possible to develop a more simplistic version of the training, the engineer in him went to work to develop simpler and easier to use techniques which could be easily learned and used by the lay person. He named this technique the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). In an effort to share this technique with individuals who may find the Thought Field Therapy technique too complex or too expensive, Mr. Craig offers the teaching of the basic principles for EFT as a free download on his website, the World Center for EFT. Books and DVDs are also available for purchase.

Both Thought Field Therapy and the Emotional Freedom Technique are considered very valuable techniques used today in Energy Psychology.

A surge then began in the development of Energy Psychology. Other techniques and education then began evolving, including an interactive CD-Rom training course by Clinical Psychologist Dr. David Feinstein and his wife Donna Eden LMT, which assists therapists in understanding the principles and applying the techniques of Energy Psychotherapy. Fred Gallo, PhD, developed the Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Method (EDxTM). Tapas Fleming discovered the energetic link between trauma and allergies and developed the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT). Larry Nims also developed some simple techniques with his model, Be Set Free Fast, that tailors his techniques for Christian clients.

Energy Psychology is flourishing, with acceptance rapidly growing with mental health clinicians throughout the word who are extending their knowledge into Energy Psychology techniques. Studies have shown that the same concepts used in Acupuncture can very effectively be used to treat psychological problems by replacing needles with a tapping of the fingers on the appropriate acupoints of the body. Stimulation of these acupoints, along with using conventional psychology methods of focusing on the cause of the emotional/psychological issue, in turn triggers its release.
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