How Energy Psychology Can Help a Community in Crisis

Ramona K Clifton, LCSW • September 20, 2023

Have you ever wondered if energy psychology (EP) can be helpful in a crisis? Maybe you have seen distressing news reports and wished you could help. As an EP provider, you can! EP is an effective set of tools that you can use to help a community in crisis. A recent ACEP conference presenter explained how.

During his keynote session on the final day ACEP’s 25th International Energy Psychology Conference, Dr. David Feinstein gave a riveting presentation about a range of ways EP can help individuals and even communities in crisis after an event like a natural disaster or a tragic shooting. Indeed, we learned about ways that tapping works beyond treatment in an office, the four main tiers of healing from trauma, and how we can share EP with large groups of people to provide immediate stress reduction and ongoing support.
 

David Feinstein

David Feinstein is a familiar name in the EP world, having taught thousands of people. He has shared the benefits of tapping, providing training to mental health, medical, teachers and other professionals around the world. Less well known may be his deep connections to organizations that provide trauma interventions in the most critical situations. These include work with Veterans and in places such as Kosovo, Sandy Hook, and recently Ukraine. During his talk, Feinstein emphasized the crucial nature of a quick response and coordinated effort. With these, we can make a lasting impact on the whole community.
 

Taking EP out of the office and into a community in crisis

Feinstein shared that he had consulted with Carl Johnson, who has used tapping for trauma in South Africa, Rwanda, and Kosovo. Johnson’s message is that connecting with community leaders and organizers, local doctors and direct care workers is essential to build trust. Feinstein observed that when traumatized individuals can release some of the trauma, they are more available, and often spontaneously give help to others.


Sandy Hook + Rwanda

We heard an incredible story about children who survived the shooting at Sandy Hook. These children became fearful and school avoidant. Fortunately, they connected (through people like tapping advocates Nick Ortner and Lori Leyden) with children from Rwanda who had learned tapping after their traumas. The children from Rwanda had developed peer leadership groups. Kids from Sandy Hook learned skills from the Rwandan youth. In time, they were able to return to school and start their own leadership groups, where they shared tapping with their peers.
 

Four tiers of trauma recovery

Recovery from trauma is a process that evolves over time. Feinstein outlined the four main tiers that most people experience when they have support. EP is effective during each tier:

  1. Immediate relief and stabilization, through reduction of hyperarousal in the limbic system.
  2. Neutralize limbic responses to traumatic cues.
  3. Overcome problems activated by trauma (including work issues, addictions, anxiety responses).
  4. Promote optimal functioning (where individuals regain the ability to cope with uncertainty and change).
     
Helping communities in crisis

Clinicians are adept at working with clients one-on-one. But what about large groups? How can we help a community in crisis? The challenges of reaching large numbers of people in a community can be daunting. Feinstein suggested that we can address this challenge by teaching EP skills in a group. This idea will be familiar to people familiar with EFT’s group work and borrowing benefits. A facilitator can demonstrate EFT techniques with a volunteer. Meanwhile, the whole group watches and taps along together, and everyone receives the borrowed benefits of the experience.


Feinstein concluded with an inspired message, encouraging us to imagine a world where local communities are already prepared, where therapists and practitioners are immediately available and will help share the skills of tapping when a community is in need.
 

Are you an educator, first responder or clinician wanting to bring EP to your community?
You can learn skills right away through ACEP’s free Resources for Resilience web site and Emotional First Aid training. Thanks to ACEP's Humanitarian Committee for creating these wonderful resources.

 

Author

Ramona K Clifton, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and coach, with a private practice in Brooklyn, NY. She works with artists and creative people to help them heal the pain in their life and live at their full potential. Ramona uses EFT, mindfulness and a deep appreciation for individual experience and the creative drive. She is a member of ACEP and the ACEP Communications Committee. Learn more at ramonaclifton.com.




Image: Bouy on Unsplash

By Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd April 9, 2025
After retiring from the military, I conducted individual and group therapy with combat veterans as a clinical social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the VET Center in Warwick, RI. In my work, I've had many experiences showing the power of energy psychology to help heal trauma . One of these amazing stories occurred during my tenure at the VA. Veteran suffers from PTSD A 70-year old Vietnam Veteran suffered for 45 years from chronic PTSD as a result of life-threatening events he endured and injuries he sustained during combat. Let's call him Joe (not his real name). His symptoms included nightmares and waking up profusely sweating every night since he returned from the war 45 years ago. Joe also had insomnia and anger issues. Conventional therapies and medication were not able to alleviate the adverse impact of his trauma. Unfortunately, Joe's experience is common among a vast number of Veterans receiving treatment for PTSD at the VA. Energy psychology resolves trauma-related symptoms In the first energy psychology session, I introduced Joe to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and explained the process and its efficacy. During the next 6 sessions, he tapped on the EFT meridian points for 2-3 rounds on each combat trauma we addressed. While he tapped, I guided him to verbally release related negative emotions. We did this until he no longer experienced any disturbance associated with these challenging events, as determined by muscle testing. The results were inspiring. At the end of six 50-minute sessions, Joe reported that his nightmares and night sweats completely stopped, and he felt more rested, peaceful, and significantly less anxious. Joe was even able to stop taking most of his anxiety and depression medication. His wife said she noticed a huge positive shift in his demeanor. Lasting results Over the next 3 years, Joe used EFT on his own to clear other developmental traumas and negative core beliefs. During this time, he only had four nightmares during one two-week period, which were triggered by watching a war movie. Afterwards, he did not have any recurrence of PTSD symptoms. Joe felt joy that he did not experience previously, and he was more emotionally open and affectionate with his wife. This heart-warming story shows the power of EFT to heal rapidly and effectively, with results that last. It's why I love using it. Going forward What a difference could be made with Veterans and their families if the VA and Department of Defense (DOD) used energy psychology techniques like these! They would be free of the devastating impact of PTSD, have better relationships and an improved quality of life. Many ACEP members have stories of hope and healing. Let’s share them! When we tell our stories, we can help inspire practitioners to adopt energy psychology methods that are powerfully grounded in effective healingwith long-lasting outcomes. Get trained and make a difference Are you a teacher or school employee? If so, get trained to bring powerful energy psychology techniques to your school by enrolling in ACEP’s free Mind Body Tools for Children training. If you are a clinician or stakeholder wanting to offer energy psychology to your community, enroll in ACEP’s free Emotional First Aid training . If you would like to get trained in using Emotional Freedom Techniques with clients, sign up for ACEP’s online training that begins with EFT Professional Skills 1 . Author Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd, is an ACEP member and recipient of ACEP's 2021 Special Recognition Award. He is a retired Marine, combat veteran, former VA VET Center counselor, VA whistleblower, and author of Broken Promises: Marine Combat Veteran Turns Whistleblower Exposing Compromised Mental Health Care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Photo by RDNE Stock Project
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