Anger, phobias, fear, anxiety, jealousy, obsessing, love pain, and many other distressing emotions can be resolved with this new process. Thought Field Therapy (TFT) was originally formulated by psychologist Roger J. Callahan, Ph.D. and has been further evolved by others, including Fred Gallo, Ph.D., Gregory Nicosia, Ph.D., George Pratt, Ph.D., and this author.

TFT is a blend of several healing concepts. The basis of acupuncture and acupressure has been understood and utilized by oriental physicians for over 2,000 years. Acupuncture works with bio-electron energy that flows in the body and was acknowledged in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health as a treatment for pain and nausea. The principles of acupuncture are that when illness or injury blocks or interrupts those natural flows of the body's energy, healing is accomplished by adding energy through stimulation at specific points along those flows of energy. Needles, pressure, heat, and tapping in TFT, are used to add energy at a certain point on the body. The additional energy dissolves the blockage and healing takes place.

Secondly, it is theorized that when an individual holds a specific thought in their mind, not only are certain emotions generated as a result (this is the basis of cognitive psychotherapy), but specific thoughts generate a field of energy. It is already known that energy created by the brain can be measured by electroencephalograph equipment. However, in addition to those forms of energy, such as beta, alpha, theta, delta, brain waves, other fields of energy are also believed to be created. Each type of thought, anger, fear, guilt, etc., is believed to generate a different frequency. It is much like different frequencies of radio carry different stations; rock and roll, country, talk, or easy listening music. Different thoughts create their own frequency of thought energy.

Certain thought fields associated with strong emotions interrupt or cause blockages in the body's energy. These blockages of body energy result in an 'encoding' of the experience so that whenever the thought, and therefore the thought field is recreated, as in thinking about the original experience, the encoded memory is re-experienced as the unpleasant or disturbing emotion.

TFT treats the emotional distress of past, present, or even future emotional pain by first having the individual call up the thought associated with the distressing emotion and then tapping on their own body at the appropriate treatment points. This added energy dissolves the blockage and creates relief.

Another aspect of Thought Field Therapy recognizes that the body's energy has a polarity, a positive and negative pole, just like a battery, or the north and south poles of a magnet. If that polarity is reversed it can interfere with thought, emotion, and behavior. Dr. Harold Saxton Burr, a Yale University biologist, in the 1940s, conducted studies with a sensitive instrument and detected that all living things, including plants have polarity.

When the polarity in a person is reversed, the effect is to reverse or sabotage attempts to make changes come about. Distressing emotions, negativity, and other painful situations will then persist. A correction for this self-sabotage is made by tapping a specific acupuncture point while holding a particular thought.

In uncomplicated cases, one treatment process provides lasting relief. In other cases, often due to renewed stress or recurring circumstances, the treatment is repeated. Clients are taught to self-administer the treatment so they may create relief whenever needed.

TFT is still considered an experimental procedure, though high rates of success rates are being seen by clinicians, there is no guarantee of success. There have been no known negative side-effects of the treatment. No harm has been reported due to the treatment. TFT is not a panacea, but it can reduce or eliminate the emotional distress that prevents individuals from benefiting from other forms of therapy.

Look for qualified and licensed health care providers to administer TFT for serious emotional problems. Professional level Thought Field Therapy training is available in most areas of the country and begins with learning the basic procedures and known algorithms or code sequences for a variety of the most common problems, such as phobias, anger, guilt, anxiety, compulsive urges, depression, obsessional thinking, emotional trauma, grief, and rejection pain. Information about anxiety conditions as well as training information for professionals can be obtained from TEST Seminars (412) 683-8378.

References:

Becker, R. & Selden, G. 1985. The Body Electric. William Morrow : New York, N.Y.

Burr, H.S. 1972. Blueprint for Immortality: The electric patterns of life. London: Neville Spearman.

Callahan, R. 1985. Five Minute Phobia Cure. Enterprise Publishing, Inc.: Wilmington, DE.

Durlacher, J. 1994. Freedom From Fears Forever. Van Ness Publishing Co.: Tempe, AZ.

Gerber, R. 1988. Vibrational Medicine. Bear & Company : Santa Fe, NM.

Lambrou P. & Pratt, G. (in press). Master Your Emotions for Health and Success.

Sheldrake, R. 1995. A New Science of Life Park Street Press: Rochester, VT.

Thie, J. 1994. Touch for Health (Rev. Ed.). DeVorss & Co.: Marina del Rey, CA.

Tiller, W. 1997. Science and Human Transformation. Pavior Publishing: Walnut Creek, CA.

08/06/98

Peter Lambrou, Ph.D. , is a licensed psychologist and trainer in TFT. He has co-authored several books on hypnosis and a book on TFT that is currently in press. He is a faculty member at The University for Humanistic Studies in San Diego. He can be reached at Scripps Memorial Hospital Medical Office Building, 9834 Genesee Avenue, Suite: 321, La Jolla, CA 92037: (619) 259-2752.