What is Energy Psychology?

Definition for Therapists, Other Practitioners and Organizational Leaders

  • In a nutshell...

    Energy psychology (also known as cognitive somatic practices) is a family of mind-body methods that rapidly reduce stress and trauma while increasing calm. Calming the body (where stress is stored) is a missing key to unlocking rapid change.  


    Energy psychology (EP) methods combine cognitive interventions with somatic techniques that influence the human bio-energy systems such as meridians, chakras and the biofield to elevate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. 


    It has been shown to be evidenced based, cost effective and empowering for clients. Energy psychology integrates well with other methods and includes self-help techniques. 


    These methods can be used to facilitate transformational change at many levels, including: 

    • Resolving trauma, anxiety and other clinical disorders
    • Working and living in flow  
    • Improving performance in the arts, sports, school and business 
    • Living with greater connection, love and clarity 

    "I was trained at some of the best schools and yet wasn’t able to get far with some people, particularly those with trauma and addictions. 


    And then I started using energy psychology. I made more progress with patients in a session or two than I had in several years of treating them. It blew me away."     


    - Anthony Tranguch, MD, PhD 

  • An expanded definition...

    Energy psychology, also known as cognitive somatic practices, comprises a family of mind-body methods designed to strategically and methodically intervene with human energy fields in elevating physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.  


    Energy psychology (EP) methods combine cognitive interventions with somatic techniques that influence the human bio-energy systems such as meridians, chakras and the biofield, as well as subtler systems of the body such as neuroception. Activation of these systems during the intervention is thought to increase the speed and/or thoroughness of the work. 


    These approaches are used by practitioners of psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, energy healing, and health optimization.   


    Practitioners view symptoms as systemic, interactive bio-energetic patterns. This involves constant complex communication among neurobiological processes, electrophysiology, consciousness, and bioenergy systems. Energy psychology (EP) helps people shift the flow of information and energy throughout these systems to facilitate healing and growth. 


    Most EP approaches are brief, active and structured. EP approaches can be: 1) used as stand-alone interventions, and 2) easily integrated within a broader clinical treatment, program of change or health optimization. Clients also learn self-help techniques they can use themselves.   


    EP approaches are often rapid, have little to no adverse effects, and are usually experienced as self-empowering by clients and patients.  


    The most common examples of energy psychology methods are: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Comprehensive Energy Psychology (CEP), Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT), and Heart Assisted Therapy (HAT).

  • Definition for Clients and The Public

    "These treatments eliminated the chronic anxiety that I have had throughout my adult life and allowed me to recover an emotional clarity and simplicity of emotional experience that I possessed as a child. I consider this experience on the miraculous level - both the elimination of the anxiety and the cognitive experience."      P.C. / Pennsylvania 


    "I was skeptical when my executive coach taught me energy psychology techniques. But now I use them all the time to reduce my stress and improve my ability to function at work."   A.T. / Philadelphia  


    Energy psychology (EP) comprises a family of methods designed to improve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. These approaches are used by practitioners of psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, energy healing, and health optimization. 


    EP methods focus on your thoughts, feelings and emotions while you activate some aspect of the bio-energy system of the body. This usually involves tapping or touching certain places on your body, such as meridian points or chakras. This calms the body, clearing stress and trauma that are held there. The result? It's easier to move on and break through to a more expansive experience of life. 


    The most common examples of energy psychology methods are: 

    • “Tapping” Methods: such as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Thought Field Therapy (TFT).  
    • Chakra Methods: such as Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) or Heart Assisted Therapy (HAT) 
    • Combination methods: such as Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Comprehensive Energy Psychology (CEP)

    Most EP approaches are gentle and do not require that you relive traumatic memories. In addition, you will often learn self-help methods you can use on your own. EP approaches can rapidly help people reduce strong painful emotions, process traumatic events, shift limiting beliefs and live with greater love.   


    You can use some energy psychology techniques by yourself and it can also be part of your work with a therapist, coach or other trained professional.  


    Find a Practitioner to Help You 

Does energy psychology really work? Is it evidence-based? 

Yes. 

Tens of thousands of professionals throughout the world, and a robust body of research show these methods work, time after time, in a wide variety of situations. 


For example, studies have shown that energy psychology has helped…

 

  • Veterans heal PTSD

 

  • Students reduce anxiety 


  • Rwandan genocide survivors heal trauma

 

  • Overweight people reduce food cravings 


Over 200 research studies have been published in professional and refereed journals, and 99% document energy psychology’s effectiveness.

 

  • 103+ randomized controlled trials 


  • 95+ pre-post clinical outcome studies

 

  • 9 meta-analyses show energy psychology is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety and PTSD 
  • Randomized control trials document positive physiological outcome for energy psychology: gene expression, immunological changes and stress biochemistry.


  • 5 fMRI studies document neurological changes after using energy psychology 


Taken as a body of knowledge, these findings suggest that energy psychology meets the criteria for evidenced-based treatment.  


There are over 400 identified forms of psychotherapy, many of which have little or no research to validate them. Energy psychology is both evidence-based and in the top 10% in terms of published research for psychotherapy modalities. 


Learn more about the research


Get trained by the only association for energy psychology professionals

Training Catalogue