Through the manipulation of the body's energy flow, thought field therapy (TFT), an energy-based psychotherapy, aims to lessen the symptoms of psychological discomfort. The foundation of TFT is the theory that human bodies are made up of energy fields, and that disruptions in this system can result in both physical and emotional issues. According to one belief, specific energy spots can be tapped on the finger in a specific sequence to correct imbalances and improve one's health and well-being. Some people assert that TFT can quickly and permanently alleviate a variety of psychological problems, including phobias, addictions, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

It has been used by medical professionals to treat a variety of physical issues, and some people looking for assistance with mental health issues may also find it to be a useful strategy. Seek online consultation with the best Clinical Psychologist at TalktoAngel No1 Online Counselling Platform.

CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THOUGHT FIELD THERAPY

Roger Callahan, an American psychologist, designed thought field therapy. It combines contemporary psychotherapy with Eastern heritage by heavily drawing on ancient Chinese medical practices like acupressure and acupuncture, which emphasize the existence of an internal energy system. These healing methods are based on the idea that the human body possesses a network of energy channels across which energy flows and that physical sickness is caused by obstacles in these routes. It combines contemporary psychotherapy with Eastern heritage by heavily drawing on ancient Chinese medical practices like acupressure and acupuncture, which emphasize the existence of an internal energy system. These healing methods are based on the idea that the human body has a network of energy channels along which energy flows and that blockages in the system cause a physical sickness. Each "meridian," also known as a channel, connects to a particular spot on the surface of the skin and contains a distinctive group of inside organs. By applying pressure to meridian endpoints or stimulating them with needles (acupuncture), it is claimed that a healthy flow of energy can be restored. Callahan applies these Eastern ideas to the therapy of psychiatric problems through TFT.

After finishing training in applied kinesiology, a technique created by chiropractor George Good heart, Callahan, a self-described pioneer in cognitive therapy, started to stray from conventional psychotherapist approaches. Good heart came to the conclusion that thoughts and feelings as well as physical circumstances have an impact on muscle strength. He also postulated that various meridians were connected to particular muscles. By comparing the relative strength of several muscles, applied kinesiology can identify the meridian that is contributing to a certain physical or mental problem. Later, Callahan would combine some of the Good heart’s diagnostic techniques into his own distinctive therapeutic strategy.

The successful finger-tapping experiment Callahan conducted in 1980 to alleviate a woman's fear of water served as the impetus for the creation of his novel strategy. After several months of cognitive therapy and desensitization therapies, the patient, known only as Mary, had made only modest advancements. With his understanding of applied kinesiology, Callahan made an effort at a fresh strategy. Mary's worry frequently manifested as a "sick sensation" in her stomach, so he chose to apply acupressure to the points under her eye, which he believed to correspond to the stomach meridian. This caused Mary's phobia to suddenly and unexpectedly disappears, which led Callahan to start looking for acupressure spots associated with other diseases. Callahan evolved and improved his method over the following two decades, and he has subsequently instructed thousands of people in it.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THOUGHT FIELD THERAPY

The most essential premise of Thought Field Therapy according to Callahan, is the concept of the thought field. Below is a discussion of the thought field and other essential TFT ideas.

Perturbations and Thought Fields: TFT views cognition as being expressed as the energy contained within an illusory structure called a thought field. Different thinking domains are connected to various thought patterns. Each thought field has an energy flow, but if the pathway is obstructed, energy might build up or become perturbed. These disturbances may result from traumatic experiences or the loss of a loved one, among other unfavorable life occurrences.

These disturbances can be brought on by unpleasant life experiences, such as trauma or the loss of a loved one, and they lead to the physical and psychological symptoms that people seeking therapy feel. Disturbing circumstances are "The primary cause of all bad emotions," claims Callahan. In TFT, the therapist's job is to assist clients in reducing these disturbances so that stored energy can be released, eliminating the source of the symptoms.

Algorithms: According to Callahan, certain problems can be handled by tapping on certain meridian points in a certain order, and perturbations correspond to meridian sites on the body. Each tapping pattern referred to as an algorithm, functions as a code that may be applied to particular circumstances. Callahan discovered that certain sequences proved to be useful for developing a number of algorithms.

After noticing that some sequences worked well for a significant portion of patients with the same illness, Callahan created numerous algorithms. Although they may occasionally need to create tailored therapies using the technique of causative diagnosis, therapists may employ preexisting algorithms with patients who are undergoing therapy.

Curative Diagnosis: This is a method the therapist uses to decide which tapping sequence to utilize on a particular person. The therapy patient touches several meridian points while the therapist assesses the strength of a muscle, typically the arm muscle, in this approach that is adapted from applied kinesiology. The best treatment sites are determined by the relative strength of the muscle when each meridian point is touched. Callahan claims that self-sabotage tendencies and negative thinking are signs of psychological reversal. Psychological reversal could be described as the state of a person who believes they are not deserving of assistance or who places the blame for the death of another person on themselves. Specific methods to get around this state have been created by Callahan since it stands in the way of effective treatment.

Thought Field therapy has been critiqued and lacks substantial empirical evidence to back its effectiveness.

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Contributed by: Dr. (Prof) R.K Suri Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach and Ms. Varshini Nayyar, Psychologist