Energy Psychology

Energy psychology is a term used to describe a variety of traditional and emerging psychotherapeutic tools that focus on the interrelationship of energy systems, emotion, behavior, health, and illness. Energy systems include the electrical activity of the brain and nervous system, acupuncture/acupressure meridians, chakras, and other energy fields in the body-mind-spirit.

Psychological well-being is a composite of many areas of functioning, such as genetic, cognitive, hormonal, neurochemical, and social/environmental factors. Biological energy (or bioenergy) systems are involved in the complex pathways that ultimately produce thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Energy psychotherapy includes approaches to the assessment and treatment of psychological problems as bioenergy systems. In addition to standard therapeutic elements such as talk therapy and discussion of issues, energy psychotherapy also includes procedures that may specifically address the underlying energetic aspects of the problem. Examples of this might include stimulation of acupressure points for the relief of distressing emotions; use of EMDR to deal with a past hurtful situation, anxiety or phobia; body awareness through movement exercises; guided energy meditation, visualization, and/relaxation techniques.

Psychotherapy in conjunction with therapeutic massage and energetic release techniques are also possible. These tools can help release physical and emotional blocks, fostering greater healing and facilitating change of emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral patterns.