About Energy Psychotherapy

What is Energy Psychotherapy?

Energy psychotherapy (EP) is the application of energy psychology and energy medicine techniques into a recognisably psychotherapeutic frame.

Talking therapies are useful but sometimes talking alone is not enough to shift our deepest traumas and limiting beliefs.

Energy therapists work with the body’s subtle energy system to address issues on a number of levels. 

Interventions include:

1. Tapping;

2. Holding memory centres on the body; and

3. Working with intention, for example by reciting words like a mantra.  

What does a session look like?

A session begins with you telling me about your concerns. I listen, respond, and follow the emotional charge.

At a certain point in the session where it seems we have got to “the heart of the issue”, I will suggest an intervention.

Typically this would involve:

• you tapping on you whilst I simultaneously tap on me;

• or you holding certain centres on your body whilst I do the same on me;

• or me suggesting intentional phrases which you then repeat. 

We follow the charge, or follow the energy, until your difficulty has eased and you feel a shift.  

Is Energy Psychotherapy safe?

Some of these approaches e.g. tapping are admittedly peculiar at first, but my clients report they are both incredibly useful and also safe.  Be reassured EP has a framework to enable you to go deep safely so that even difficult to address issues, including trauma, can be worked with safely.  I will help you develop resources to strengthen you (specifically by helping you access an internalised safe space, and also devise a healing circle).  My energy therapist colleagues and I aim to offer our clients more far-reaching benefits than conventional approaches.  For example, even non-verbal experiences and trans-generational trauma can be reached - issues which are so difficult to access in conventional talking therapy that they are typically ignored.  EP helps you clear the negativity of the past and shifts your energy to where you wish to be.   

How is it different from other kinds of therapy?

Energy Psychotherapy provides a holistic and embodied form of therapy. Most therapists agree on the importance of the body in their work, it’s just a question of how we bring the body into the conversation.

If you’ve had therapy before, the work we do will be recognisably like other forms of therapy in so far as we make connections between the past and present and discuss future goals of where you would like to be.

The focus and the practicalities will feel a bit different: I will help you reach the heart of the matter - i.e. you won’t be left feeling like you’re floundering in the dark.

Also the embodied exercises may be a bit different to your previous experiences in therapy - these help you release the negative energy (clear the negative) and reclaim your positive energy (access and install positive resources). 

Which Energy Psychotherapy techniques do I use?

I have a generic training in energy psychotherapy: Certificate in Energy Psychotherapy: Energy Psychology Techniques for Psychotherapists and other mental health professionals (2014), which means I have an excellent overview of the whole genre. 

The modalities I use most are: Tapping, Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT); Radomski’s Ask & Receive; and Psychoanalytic Energy Psychotherapy (PEP).  The modality I have done the most training in is Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) and I am a certified AIT practitioner.  I have also devised my own energy modality which is called Invitation to Healing (ITH).   

For a more detailed description of these methods click here:

https://www.energypsychotherapynetwork.co.uk/modalities/

The similarities between EMDR and AIT

There are certain similarities between Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR):

• both are embodied trauma therapies used within a psychotherapeutic framework. 

• both recognise that trauma is held in the body and talking alone is not usually a sufficiently effective therapeutic approach.

• both help you to “digest'' unprocessed memories, experiences, emotions, through implementing an embodied activity.

• both can be useful when working with flashbacks, body-memories, nightmares and other post traumatic experiences.  

The differences between EMDR and AIT

EMDR is a form of brain bilateral stimulation which works with the movement of the eyes, whilst AIT works with memory centres in your body where trauma is “stored”. 

Ultimately, however, both are working with body and brain.  EMDR is recognised as an effective approach for single-incident trauma e.g. a car crash, sexual assault or mugging, although it is also applied within the context of longer term psychotherapy.  AIT can also be used with single incidents and / or complex trauma.  With EMDR you focus on a very specific memory or set of memories.  With AIT, a particular sentence is formulated which encapsulates the focus of the work; the trauma charge of this sentence is then released through an embodied process which involves moving your hands down memory centres in your body.  Both EMDR and AIT bring relief through an embodied activity implemented by the client. 

Why do clients seek me out?  

I use a number of trauma informed approaches and have a good overview of a number of approaches which help to alleviate distress.  Please note I am not an EMDR practitioner, but I do offer other forms of therapy which similarly use brain bilateral stimulation, including AIT.   Likewise, whilst I do not claim to be an EFT practitioner, Emotional Freedom Techniques is one form of tapping amongst many, and I have a range of skills in many different forms of tapping.  There is an intellectual property issue here, where different therapeutic approaches are more commonly known by their famous brand name.  It's a bit like asking me, “do you know how to use a Hoover?” and my reply is, “ I know how to use lots of different types of vacuum cleaner”.  This is very confusing for the public, but I do respect practitioners’ intellectual property by not claiming to be an expert in any particular brand.   

Ultimately, my goal working with you is to work towards your health and healing and I can draw upon a number of frameworks to help you get there.  Some clients seek me out for a particular type of therapy, whilst others welcome the range of methods within my approach.  I have clients who have sought me out having done some helpful EMDR work, and are looking to build on their improvements.  Equally, I have clients who have had a traumatic experience of EMDR and are looking for a different approach.  Most clients seek me out because they know I am one of the most experienced energy psychotherapists in the country and offer a wide range of trauma and recovery informed approaches.  Whatever your previous experience of therapy, you’re welcome to contact me for more information.