Theresa Peters - MSW, CSWA

Informed Consent for Energy Therapy

(Revised 4/9/14)

As part of my psychotherapy practice, I incorporate methodologies that appear to have promising mental health benefits but have yet to be fully researched by the academic community. This informed consent will provide you with some basic information about one of those methods called Energy Therapy, and how it is an option in our work together. We can discuss any aspect of this consent, and you are under no obligation to agree to these methods. The prevailing premise of Energy Therapy is that the flow and balance of the body’s electromagnetic and more subtle energies are important for physical and emotional health, and there are energy-based methods that help in fostering that well being.

There appear to be an interactive effect among the following:

• Emotions	• Thoughts	• Beliefs	• Images • Biochemistry • Behaviors

• Electromagnetic & Subtle Energies • Bodily Sensations

These influences each other and each may promote health and well-being. The relationship you have to others, your community, the environment, and spirituality may also impact your health and well-being. Your therapy may focus on any combination of these in order to most effectively help you obtain your goals.

What is Subtle Energy?

The relevance and interactive effect among all these aspects has been researched from the Western scientific perspective, except for the role of subtle energy. You may have heard of subtle energy through such terms as life force, chi, meridians, chakras, biofields, or auras. These energies are called “subtle” because they are not easily detectable and scientists have not been able to develop instruments to reliably measure them. However, many people for centuries and across cultures have described seeing or feeling subtle energies to varying degrees.

Measurable energies are the fabric of our existence. Electrical, chemical and nuclear energies are some of the more common forms of measurable energy with which we are familiar. For example, doctors measure electromagnetic fields or energies of the body through EKG’s, EEG’s, and MRI’s. These measureable energies are clearly an important part of our everyday health and well-being.

Physicists have been dramatically changing our understanding of energy. For example Einstein proposed that all mass is comprised of energy. That is, all “solid” objects, including our bodies, are comprised of molecules in constant motion that can be influenced by outside forces. Despite the advancement of physics, we still don’t understand certain ever-present fields of energy, such as gravity. Much remains to be learned about the energetic functioning of our world and universe.

Subtle energy is one of those forms of energy still being explored. It can be considered part of the ever-present energy from which all matter is derived, in the sense of Einstein’s E=mc², I.e., matter is a form of energy. Some scientists believe our physical bodies emerge from a field of subtle energies. In many healing traditions, the “life force” that distinguishes life from death is understood as involving the presences of subtle energies. Energy Therapy suggests that by promoting balance and flow in these fields of subtle energy, the health of the body is enhanced.

Despite not fully understanding the nature of subtle energy, there are numerous methods designed to influence these energy systems such as acupuncture, yoga, acupressure, Reiki, and Tai Chi, to name just a few. Many Asian cultures have studied these energies and methods for centuries and have successfully applied them to both physical and emotion health (e.g., Deadman et.al, 1998)

Subtle energy is being taken more seriously in this country. Many hospitals in the United Stated now include methods such as Reiki, and acupuncture, to help with the healing of a variety of conditions. Further investigation is being conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Health through a center of research called The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Their report on Energy Medicine indicated that western science has not validated the 2,000 years of subtle energy practice, but they have cited some promising studies that warrant further organization for psychotherapists, the Association for Comprehensive Energy Therapy (ACEP), whose annual conferences brings in hundreds of therapists from around the world. Their website (www.energypsych.org) has up-to-date research articles on the role of such energies in psychotherapy.

Role of Subtle Energies in Psychotherapy

Energy Therapy is based on the premise that by affecting electromagnetic and more subtle energies there can be a shift in emotion, thoughts, and behaviors. There are a variety of methods that appear to have an impact on subtle energies. The most common method is based on the ancient principles of acupuncture. It is a simple procedure that gently balances the energies without the discomfort of needles. Clients recall a troublesome thought or feeling and are taught which traditional acupuncture points on their body to stimulate through tapping, rubbing or holding (rather than using needles). The stimulation of such points, sometimes referred to as acupressure, has been observed to reduce psychological symptoms. This is the method we would most commonly use. (See references below for EFT, EDxTM, and TFT).

Another method targets the energy centers of your body called chakras, which are considered to hold emotional memories. To affect these energies, I might move my hand near your body while you lie on a table. The theory behind chakra clearing is that the electromagnetic charge of my hand is interacting with and balancing the electromagnetic fields of your body. Most people experience a pleasant feeling, while others may recall the old distress we are targeting.

There are numerous other methods all designed to balance the flow of energies. For a review of these energy systems and the methods used to enhance them, see Eden’s book, Energy Medicine (1998), Gerber’s book, Vibrational Medicine (2001), and the web site for the Association for Comprehensive Energy Therapy (www.energypsych.org).

Assessing your Subtle Energies

There is a method to assess where your subtle energies are out of balance. It is a simple procedure where I apply light pressure to an outstretched arm. The degree of firmness you experience indicates whether there is a disruption in the energies. This method has a variety of names such as Energy Testing, Muscle Testing, and Applied Kinesiology. It has been used extensively by osteopathic and chiropractic physicians as well as physical therapists. I have received professional training in the use of these techniques which I will be happy to discuss with you.

Psychotherapeutic Touch

There are times when it is beneficial for me to hold certain point on your body. The theory behind such methods is that touch or holding these points can assist me and you in identifying and shifting imbalances in your energies. If there are such times, you would remain fully clothed, with perhaps the exception of your shoes. I would always explain ahead of time where I would touch. Ninety percent of the time, the touch will last only a few seconds, although there maybe occasions where it is best for me to hold several points on your body for a longer period, usually about 3-5 minutes.

Physical contact within psychotherapy has sometimes been frowned upon because touch can be easily misinterpreted and feel too intimate, uncomfortable, or sexual in nature. Touching in a sexual manner is unethical within psychotherapy, illegal, and will never be a part of your treatment. In order to maintain the boundaries that are necessary for a successful therapeutic relationship, we will also be unable to have a friendship or any other type of “dual” relationship outside of the office.

Touch can also be a potential problem in a therapeutic relationship if you have had a history of paranoia, been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, sexually or physically abused, if you have suffered from other types of trauma, or may dissociate or detach from your sense of self. Please let me know if you fall into any of these categories prior to our starting out work together. We can discuss any emotional risks associated with touch that may be of concern to you. Furthermore, if you have any misgivings, doubts or any negative reactions to any physical contact, it is very important that you let me know as soon as possible so that we can discuss your concerns. If you are uncomfortable talking to me, I encourage you to talk through such concerns with another professional. If you wish, I can make a referral for you.

Although physical contact in psychotherapy has not been scientifically established as beneficial, Hunter and Struve (1998) have proposed that touch can be an important part of psychotherapy, and there may be negative effects from the lack of it. Energy Psychotherapists have found that some procedures require touch to assess and balance the energies. The controversy around the use of physical contact and psychotherapy highlights the need for you to be properly informed of the risks and benefits of touch used in therapeutic ways.

Informed Consent

In summary, you understand there are promising reports from psychotherapy about the effectiveness of Energy Therapy, but that it is considered an experimental procedure with limited public research. Therefore, it has not been proved effective from a Western scientific standpoint. You understand that as a Masters of Social Work, I will be using the methods from conventional psychotherapy in our work, and you also have the option of using those methods exclusively. If you feel we are not a good match, you are free to discontinue therapy at any time, and I am very willing to provide you with names of other therapists.

You also understand that Energy Therapy methods may involve some psychotherapeutic touch. You will be informed prior to such touch and can always decline if you are uncomfortable for any reason whatsoever.

In addition, I am developing a theory based on my experience and observation of working with clients called Essence Illumination.

Things to consider

I am not mocking you, the shadow wants to hide when light is shined on it, thus bringing feelings of avoidance up.

Burping may happen, this is moving the energy through the body.

Fear may feel cold – Room and body temp can drop profoundly.

Hot may be anger or deep healing taking place - Room and body temp can drop profoundly.

Note the pains in your body – They can be a great indicator of energy wanting to move. It’s the red light to say stop and look!

If you agree to proceed with applying Energy Therapy methods towards reaching your goals, please sign and date below. Your consent is given freely, without any obligation and with complete understanding of the above information. This consent may be revoked verbally at any time. Please follow-up any verbal request to revoke consent in writing, so we are both very clear. We can discuss any aspect of this consent before signing.

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Signature	Date

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Print Name

Note: Legal consultation on this form was provided by attorneys Eric Harris from the America Psychological Association Insurance Trust in Chicago, Illinois, and Glenn Karr of Columbus, Ohio. Energy Therapy consent formulations and ethical guidelines proposed by David Feinstein, Ph.D., and the Association for Comprehensive Psychology have been incorporated into this statement.