Energy Psychology and EMDR: Combining Forces to Optimize Treatment

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Oct 2003 by Accaria, Philip L

Energy Psychology and EMDR: Combining Forces to Optimize Treatment. John G. Hartung, Psy.D., and Michael D. Galvin, Ph.D. New York: W.W. Norton (2003). xxiii 325 pages, $35.00. Reviewed by: Philip L. Accaria, Ph.D., Upper Montclair, NJ.

As a clinician, have you ever wondered if there was a more efficient and effective means of treating your clients/patients? If so, I recommend without reservation this book by John G. Hartung, Psy.D., and Michael D. Galvin, Ph.D. This work is a winner in many respects. Galvin and Hartung, who have studied and practiced many psychotherapeutic methods, have come to depend primarily on energy psychology and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as their preferred methods of intervention. It is their contention that "... these methods excel-especially in combination-in helping clients achieve profound change and growth, usually quickly and with stable results" (p. xiii).

The authors present their thesis in an organized, thoughtful and balanced manner, offering the reader the basics of each procedure, relevant research, and generous case examples which appear throughout the entire book. They cover such topics as client self-use and phone consultations, therapist self-care, specialty applications, and training recommendations.

This book is presented in 11 chapters. The authors begin by offering the basics of energy psychology and EMDR, including their histories and theory, principles, practice and comparisons with other psychotherapies. They include the available research which is presented with a refreshing intellectual honesty, and iterate the practice of both methods separately. Hartung and Galvin then offer the nucleus of their therapeutic premise in the middle chapters, where they describe how and when to combine these methods and elaborate on the finer details of client self-use and therapist self-care.

Galvin and Hartung conclude with chapters devoted to the application of their combined methods to specialty populations and to applications such as forensic uses, as well as those with children and adolescents, dissociation problems, addictions, performance enhancement, and couples therapy.

The authors present a very balanced view of the variety of energy psychology methodologies, making it clear that their preferences are based on their extensive clinical observations. Hartung and Galvin emphasize that "there does not need to be a competition between established and alternative methods. They can be complementary or supplementary" (p. 12). They offer an excellent section itemizing the 10 most common questions about and objections to using energy psychology and EMDR either in combination or at all and add their personal comments. For readers trained in energy psychology methods it is important to note that Galvin and Hartung specifically focus their attention on meridian-based methods, Thought Field Therapy in particular, indicating "utility, simplicity, and face validity" (p. 12) as their reason for doing so.

In addition, Galvin and Hartung offer a seven step series in the application of their energy psychology paradigm. They are: 1) Establish the therapeutic relationship; 2) Inform the client about energy psychology; 3) Take a history; 4) Ready the energy system for treatment (i.e., treat barriers to treatment through muscle testing); 5) Target specific problems for treatment; 6) Commence treatment; and 7) Close the session. They demonstrate this sequence throughout the book. On page 33, the authors present a concise table which delineates which therapy to use for which problem including variables such as preparatory considerations, presenting problem, treatment circumstances such as abreactions and resistances, and "miscellaneous" issues. They follow up each listing with a brief discussion and commentary. Chapters Three, Four, Five and Six contain excellent descriptions about how to conduct energy psychology and EMDR, and how to combine these methods. The reader will be quite satisfied with the quantity and quality of case examples, especially those relevant to therapists who struggle with one or both methods.

This reviewer strongly recommends Chapter Eight on Therapist Self-Care. Hartung and Galvin write: "If it is true that energy can be transmitted over space ... then we are being subjected to these negative influences throughout the day" (p. 226). They then proceed to list the variety of techniques the therapist can utilize to practice good "energy hygiene" including, but not limited to, corrections for neurological disorganization, the three polarities unswitching procedure and the correction for massive psychological reversal.

In Chapter Nine: Specialty Applications, the reader will encounter a compassionate and hopeful assessment of the "Character Disorders." The authors offer an exquisite application of the combined methodologies that will stir the reader's conceptualizations of these challenging conditions.

The shortcomings of this book are few. It struck this reviewer as unfortunate that the very first figure, Figure 1.1 on page 8, depicting the Energy Psychology Heritage Tree, should appear somewhat convoluted. It would also have been enlightening had Hartung and Galvin included an explanation of the variety of other combinations of energy psychology methods. This might have served to reinforce the uniqueness of their own interweaving of energy psychology and EMDR.