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Energy Psychology & Meridian Energy Therapies with Susan Courtney, B.A. (Hons) Dip. Couns |
| Treating Addictions - Part 2 | |
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soon as addictions counsellor Sonia Evers used meridian techniques with
her, Clare’s drinking and drug use diminished almost overnight and she
maintained this progress over time. Further work helped her to control
her anger, something that had bothered her for many years. Once the
pressure of the immediate problems had been reduced, Sonia worked with
Clare to reduce the emotional intensity of a past rape, the event that
had originally triggered the excessive use of drugs and alcohol. Three
months later Clare reported that she was still abstinent, felt happy and
had just received a promotion from her employer.
Well-received by clients Malcolm Bray has found these methods to be well received by clients. He cites the advantages he has seen from introducing these methods into the Leeds Drug Service programme: “They can be taught to the service user. He or she can take them away to use whenever they feel it is appropriate and on any issue they want. The service user becomes a very active participant in their own rehabilitative process The are rapid and effective. Service users often get relief from cravings and bothersome feelings at least as quickly as they would from smoking, drinking or using drugs. They are especially useful for those whose substance misuse has served as an escape from past traumas and emotional pain. Our experience in Leeds suggests that the idea of having to talk about these issues and experiences often causes even more emotional hurt and sometimes stops people from engaging in any form of treatment. With meridian-based approaches, service users are not always required to talk aloud about what is disturbing to them, and can treat themselves whenever difficult memories or feelings are triggered.” Simple treatment Counsellors and clients are trained in the following treatment steps:
Many, though not all, clients will respond immediately to this simple application. In an Association for Meridian Therapies accredited training, counsellors learn to correct for blocks to treatment and to develop tapping sequences customised for each client. It is also important to identify relevant aspects of the client’s issues and to work through the layers of problems which may surface successively during this therapy. |
Addiction
involves much more than cravings, of course, and often includes feelings
and judgments about ourselves, as well as overwhelming emotions, and
experiences from the past which
we have found hard to cope with.
Treats deep, early issues Clinical psychologist Peter Leakey, who works in the Derbyshire NHS Trust has found that tapping directly on the craving has usually worked successfully for smoking and compulsive eating. However, when ‘Linda’ came to him for help to stop smoking, this approach alone was not enough. She had also tried many other approaches and had not benefitted. It was only after tracking the feelings she associated with wanting a cigarette back to earlier experiences and treating her for a cluster of early losses – including the deaths of her parents - that the cravings themselves became amenable to successful treatment. Corrects self-sabotage and reduces relapses As with all treatment protocols, compliance is a concern. Addictive substances may disrupt the energy system and undermine motivation. Agreement to self-treat at specific times or occasions can be helpful with this, as can buddying and group support. We encourage those who are struggling to overcome addictions to tap at every stage of the misuse process, including correcting the energy imbalances that contribute to self-sabotage.Sometimes clients cannot congruently state that they are willing to stop, particularly when their attendance at treatment programmes is not entirely voluntary. There are also those who cannot accept that this can work at all, or that it could work for them. Feelings of deprivation are common, and for many, their sense of identity is tied up with their addiction. All of these areas can be addressed using meridian therapies. Training equips counsellors to respond to whatever difficulties their clients may present. Meridian-based approaches have the potential to free clients from the tyranny of their cravings and urges and from the overwhelming emotions that drive them. For all who work in this difficult area, they offer a rapid, gentle and effective approach to help clients to successful recovery. If you want to know more… Susan Courtney practices as a counsellor and psychotherapist and runs open and in-service training programmes for addictions workers and other counsellors and therapists. She can be contacted at info@TrueChange.org, or 0845 226 8267. She is an executive director and licensed trainer for the Association for Meridian Therapies http://TheAMT.com and runs the UK training programme for the Institute for Meridian-based Psychotherapy and Counselling. Two books to read are Adventures in EFT by Silvia Hartman, available from http://1-EFT.com . and Energy Tapping by Fred Gallo, published by New Harbinger and available from Amazon. |
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Energy Psychology & Meridian Energy Therapies with Susan Courtney, B.A. (Hons) Dip. Couns |