Thought Field Therapy (tm) is a very fast, effective therapy pioneered by
Roger Callahan, Ph.D. It has been around for more than 20 years now. It is
controversial because it is difficult to see how it would work. It is also
controversial because it is difficult to believe that anything would work so
quickly, and so totally effectively.
Of course, the best test is to try it. It is completely painless, requires
only some tapping on your body, and takes only a few minutes. The worst
that could happen would be about 5 or 10 minutes of wasted time.
It is based on principles similar to accupuncture, such that by tapping on
the correct points of your body, in the correct order, for a particular
type of problem, causes a sudden removal of the problem.
You can buy a kit of algorithm videotapes and books from Dr. Callahan, for around
$500, by telephoning: 1888-TFT-CURE. A diagnostic kit is available for about $500, but in this writer's opinion, is not nearly as good as the algorithm kit.
Though Dr. Callahan's level III seminars
cost $10,000, it is possible to find Level I & II TFT (tm) seminars for a few hundred dollars.
There is a very similar treatment, EFT, or Emotional Freedom Technique. A kit of books and tapes can be bought for about $60. (See EFT & TFT links below.)
Incidentally, sometimes TFT (if properly done) does not work the first
time, either to having applied the wrong treatment, or due to a
"psychological reversal." The remedy for this problem is to try a
different treatment (a different combination and order of tapping)
or to treat for psychological reversal.
This is described on my page, "TFT Meridian Points" (link below.)
In my opinion, EFT works better than TFT. The reason is that Callahan suggests that the "right" combination of points to tap is like a combination lock. That is, if you tap point A then B, you would get a different result than if you tapped B then A. You would also ruin the whole thing if you tapped an extra point, such as A --> C --> B.
As there are millions of possible combinations, it can be very difficult to find just the "right" combination, and a client may lose patience as you try one after the other, looking for one that works.
Gary Craig, originator of EFT, says it doesn't matter. Tapping in any order works the same, and an extra one makes no difference. If you aren't sure which point to tap, just tap them all.
I have used this procedure for years, and it works just fine. Another difference between the methods is that Callahan has stopped using "affirmations," while Craig still stands behind them. Affirmations work very well for me, so I use them, too.
There is also a very effective technique, also based on accupressure, called TAT, or Tapas Accupressure Technique. It is very simple:
First, estimate the strength of your feeling (at the moment) on a scale of 10. 10 is as bad as it could possibly be, 5 is half that bad, and zero is no feeling.
Place your thumb above the inside corner of one eye, and your ring finger above the inside corner of the other eye.
Place the other two fingers in the center of your forehead, 1/2" to 1" above the eyebrow. Cup the other hand, and place it in back of your head, below the bump.
Close your eyes, and think about the problem for one minute, or until you feel a shift in your body.
Then think of a negative statement about the problem for the same time.
Then a positive statement for the same time.
Then concentrate your attention on the part of your body where you put your feelings, each for one minute, or until you feel a shift in your body. (Or where you feel your feelings. Otherwise, if you respond to problems with physical symptoms, concentrate there.) Each time for one minute, or until you feel a shift in your body (which is different for everybody.)
Then estimate the strength of your feeling on a scale of 10 again. (That is the SUD, or Subjective Units of Discomfort.)
In greater detail: Thinking about the problem may mean thinking about a feeling, thinking about a situation that stimulates the feeling, or thinking about a past situation that is associated with the feeling.
If the problem is so difficult you can't think about it, just think about the feeling itself. If it isn't treated to zero by then, in the next go-around think about something you did just before the event happened. Save the main traumatic event for the last.
Thinking about a negative statement means repeating a statement in your mind, such as, "He raped me." Thinking about a positive statement means repeating a statement such as, "I'll be all right now," (even if you don't believe that.)
A "shift" is often times a spontaneous sigh. Otherwise, either use a timer with a bell, or have somebody measure a minute for you.
There are several ways to do this wrong. One is simply not to think of the subject you are treating. If you are thinking "what kind of crazy stuff is this," you aren't directing the treatment toward the problem itself.
One is not to touch the correct points. If you pinch your nose instead of touching the corners of your eyes, you are missing a point. If you spread the two fingers near your eyebrows, you are missing another.
If you lay your hand flat against the back of your head, you are reducing the pressure below the bump (inion) and on your neck. If you slide your hand to the side of your neck rather than the back, you are missing two points.
If your arm gets tired, it's all right to just switch hands.
Negative Affect Erasing Method
One point not clear on the NAEM page is described as follows:
The chest point is at the upper section of the sternum (or breastbone). Between the nipples, but higher up on the chest and slightly below the notch on the sternum below your throat.
This is also the location of the thymus gland. There's a picture in the book "Energy Tapping." As you move about an inch below the notch, you can feel a point where the breastbone gets thicker. The hollow above that is where the point is.
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE: (EFT) Very similar to TFT. See page "TFT Meridian Points" (below) for instructions. See EFT link (below) for more discussion and ordering information.
See a description of EFT on the page, TFT Meridian Points (link below.)
Links to other sites on the Web
TFT Meridian Points
Counseling On-Line
TFT theory & research
Further Research
The Political Therapist
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
Free 79-page EFT manual
More EFT Downloads
Learn more about TFT (tm) with the link: TFT Meridian Points, above.
Dr. Roger Callahan's web page is located by the link: TFT Theory & Research. It provides some more discussion of the subject, and locations of training events.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
Negative Affect Erasing Technique
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