ATFT UPdate Magazine/E-Zine

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ATFT Update Magazine and E-zine Archive

Thought Field Therapy UPdate	Premier Issue, Vol 1 No 1
TFT & Voice Technology	Roger Callahan
Running … Out of Steam	Nora Baladerian
Heart Rate Variability Validates Thought Field Therapy	Karen Hope
Roger Callahan in Rome	Joanne Callahan
Make Your Business Cards More Effective	David Hanson
ATFT Foundation: Fund Raising for Research	Joanne Callahan
Moscow on the TFT	Norma Gairdner
ATFT Conference

ATFT Update E-zine	Vol 2, Winter 2005
Suzanne Connolly Teaches in Kuwait
TFT with Animals	Jo Cooper
Dr. Roger Callahan on P.R.
Case Study	Suzanne Connolly
Quantifying Toxins	June Kennerley
Mini Seminars Can Create Client Opportunities	David Hanson
Marketing Tips
TFT Makes a Hard Day’s Work A Good Day’s Work	Robert Bray
Completeness of Treatment with TFT	Carolyn Sakai

ATFT Update E-zine	Issue 3, Summer 2005
Dr. Roger Callahan Goes to Dublin & Oslo
Ideas for Providing Press Releases to the Media	Herb Ayers
Dr. Roger Callahan on Visualization and Peak Performance
Case Study	Norma Gairdner
TFT & A Great Crisis Intervention Tool	Jim McAninch
TFT & with People & Animals: Achieving Peak Performance	Jo Cooper
Maximum Performance for Your Website	David Hanson
ATFT Foundation News	Joanne Callahan
ATFT Mailbox

ATFT Update Special Issue	Issue 4, Winter 2006
ATFT Foundation’s Mission to Africa
Speak Out for TFT	Herb Ayers
ATFT Foundation News	Joanne Callahan
ATFT Foundation Special Report: Africa Project	Mary Cowley, Chris Milbank,
	Alvaro Hernandez
Roger Callahan Analyzes Africa Mission HRV Results
Letter from David Hanson
Research Advisory Committee	Chris Semmens
Trauma Relief Committee: Trauma Relief Committee & Green Cross	Norma Gairdner
Success Stories & TFT Case Studies	Suzanne Connolly
Treating Grief with Thought Field Therapy	Ian Graham
TFT Allows Us the Feelings We Need	Robert Bray
TFT, HRV, and the Broken Heart	David Hanson
Lifting the Shroud of Anxiety	Suzanne Connolly

ATFT Update E-zine	Issue 5, Fall 2006
ATFT Mini-Conference – Birmingham, England
Success Story	Dottie Webster
ATFT Trauma Relief Team: The Third Times a Charm	Suzanne Connolly
Avoid-A-Void	Kevin Laye
ATFT Foundation News	Joanne Callahan
TFT for Helping with Music Performance Enhancement	Rosemary Wiseman
Raising Funds	Ildiko Scurr
Jonathan	Elizabeth Bourne
Fly Me to the Moon	Doris Keating
Loss of your Best Friend (animal)	Jo Cooper
TFT Conference Scrapbook	Pictorial

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 6, Winter 2006
Meet Three of our Most Distinguished ATFT Members
A Lifting Experience	Steve McNulty
Cost – vs- Value	Kevin Laye
Newest VT-ers – Meet the Halvorsons
Saved By the Ball: TFT & Soccer	Anne Schneider-Cullen
Dr. Callahan – New Voltmeter Book
Charlotte, the TFT Baby	Sigrid Semmens
The Therapist	Doris Keating
Success Story	Stein/Annette Halvorsen
Three Distinguished Leaders
ATFT Foundation Fundraiser is a Success	Pictorial
Anatomy of a Fundraiser	Ildiko Scurr
Jenny Edwards Accepts Post as ATFT’s First Trainer’s Training Instructor
	David Hanson
Niche Marketing – Pet Loss	David Hanson
Migraines Disappear	Chris Semmens
TFT and Veterans	Robert Bray
ATFT Worldwide Conference News

ATFT Update E-zine	Issue 7, Spring 2007
2007 ATFT Worldwide Conference
Featured Success Story	Ildiko Scurr
VT Comes to the Rescue	Franziska Ng
3 No-Cost Marketing Tips You Can Do	David Hanson
Pooh Sticks	Kevin Laye
Making Effective Presentations About TFT	Colin Barron
Special Report: Irish Survivors of Child Abuse	Eileen McMahon
On the Way to the Forum	Herb Ayers
TFT Success Stories	Various
Quality over Quantity	Steve McNulty
A Refresher P.R.	Roger Callahan
Special Notes on P.R.	Roger Callahan
Changes to the ATFT Member Listserve	Rhoda Draper

ATFT Update E-zine	Issue 8, Summer 2007
Nightmares Replaced with Dreams of Future at El Shaddai
TFT Goes to Graduate School
Meet Suzanne Connolly
Success Story	Yvette Lamidey
El Shaddai Orphanage	Gabriel Constans
We Appreciate Your Services	Suzanne Connolly
Using Testimonials in Your Marketing	David Hanson
Pathological Hoarder- Or Just Stubborn	Robert Bray
Zen and TFT Meet	Kevin Laye
Back to Tanzania	Alvaro Hernandez

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 8, Spring 2008
Work Worth Doing – PTSD Research and Treatment
Medical Advisory Board for ATFT	Caroline Sakai, Colin Barron,
	Arthur Davis, Richard Petty,
	Dipa Modi
Dreams Do Come True	Judy Harvey
Hurricane Katrina, Now Orleans and Trauma	Nora Baladerian
The Day Our Lives Changed Forever	Ecoee Rooney
ATFT Foundation 2008 Projects	Joanne Callahan
Being Interviewed about TFT on Radio and Television	Colin Barron
Work Worth Doing	Suzanne Connolly
Thought Field Therapy Training in London	Jenny Edwards

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 9, Summer 2008
What is a Good HRV Score	Roger Callahan, PhD
Trauma Relief Study – May 2008	Suzanne Connolly, MFT, CISW
UK and ROI Committee Update	Yvette Lamidey
TFT Case Study ‘Tom’ Brain Tumor May/June 08	Val Chater, BEd
Japanese Association for Thought Field Therapy	Ayame Morikawa, PhD
The Evolution of Callahan Techniques and Thought Field Therapy Joanne Callahan, MBA
BTFTA News	BTFTA Committee
ATFT Foundation – Uganda Project 2009	Joanne Callahan , MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 10, Winter 2008
It Seems Like Magic, but it’s Science	Edgar Rivera
TFT Today	Franziska Ng, EdD
TFT in Scandinavia	Stein Lund Halvorson
Treating Medical Problems with TFT	Colin Barron, PhD
Updating from the TFT Foundation UK	Ildiko Scurr
Assisting Aging Parents with TFT	Katherine Bird, BA, BSW, RSW
How I Tapped Myself from a Size 14 to a Size 4	Franziska Ng, EdD
UK/ROI Committee Update	Yvette Lamidey
How it all Began	Terri Perry
Culm Valley Centre for Integrated Health	Steve McNulty
ATFT Code of Ethics
ATFT Foundation – Looking ahead to 2009	Joanne Callahan, MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 11, Spring 2009
BTFTA November Conference Overview	Ian Graham, BSc, CBiol, MIBiol
ATFT Foundation Donations and Two-Legged Stool	Bruce Paton, PhD
TFT Today	Various
ATFT Foundation – Looking Ahead to 2009	Joanne Callahan, MBA
TFT Much Needed in Rape Crisis Work	Sharon Hales
ATFT Foundation UK	Ildiko Scurr
ATFTF Provides R&R Retreats with Timeshares for Vets	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Freedom R&R’s with Timeshares for Vets	Joanne Callahan, MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 12, Summer 2009
TFT Today	Various
Australasian ATFT Committee Update	Judy Harvey
What Makes for a Good ATFT Foundation Project	Roger Ludwig, MA
Overcoming Panic Attacks	Christina Mayhew
Our Surgical Experience with Thought Field Therapy	Lois Sugarman, PhD, RN, FT
Uganda Project	Roger Ludwig, MA
Uganda Malaria Study 2009	Howard Robson, MA, MB, Bchir, FRCP, FRCPE; Phyll Robson; Robert Bray, PhD, LCWS, CTS
TFT in Sudan	Patricia Leong
L of a Way 2 Pass	Diane Hall
Managing Negative Emotions	Phyll Robson
Prometra – Promotion des Medecines Tarditionelles	Lionel Mandy
2009 – A Crossroads for ATFT	Joanne Callahan, MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 13, Fall 2009
Meet Your ATFT Members	Suzanne Connolly, MFT, CISW
	Caroline Sakai, PhD
Freedom R&R’s with Timeshares for Vets	Joanne Callahan, MBA
A Letter from the Battlefield	Efland Amerson
TFT and Hope in a Beleaguered Region	Caroline Sakai, PhD
Rwanda Case Notes	Suzanne Connolly, MFT, CISW
Volunteerism: At a home for At-Risk Youths	Chrissie Mayhew
Treating Medical Problems with TFT	Colin Barron, PhD
TFT Relieves Bank Robbery Trauma	Mary Cowley, PhD
TFT Testimonials
Overcoming Fear of Snakes	Dale Solarz
Lyme Disease Sufferer Finds Relief with TFT	Tana J
Living Fearlessly with TFT	Dariah Morgan, PhD
ATFT Foundation Trauma Relief Expands in 2009	Joanne Callahan, MBA
TFT Trauma Relief Blog	Mary Cowley, PhD
TFT Today	Various

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 14, 1st Quarter 2010
Meet Your ATFT Members	Jenny Edwards, PhD; Howard Robson, MA, MB, Bchir, FRCP, FRCPE; Phyll Robson
Japanese TFT Peer-Reviewed Journal	Joanne Callahan, MBA
The Use of TFT in Family Care	Christina Mayhew
A Toe-Tale Success	Suzanne Connolly, MFT, CISW
Thought Field Therapy Archives	Jenny Edwards, PhD
News from the United Kingdom	Ildiko Scurr
Leadership Changes	Paul Oas, PhD
Darla Terry-Ausman
John McLaughlin
Foundation News	Joanne Callahan, MBA
TFT Today	Various

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 15, Summer 2010
Callahan: Present ACEP Lifetime Achievement Award
Meet Your ATFT Members	Ayame Morikawa, PhD
	Bruce Paton, PhD
Roger Callahan Honored with ACEP Lifetime Achievement Award	Roger J Callahan, PhD
Awareness During Anesthesia: My Personal Mission to Help Others	Jeanette Magdalene, PhD
Stroke: Treatment, Rehabilitation and Recovery	Rosemary Wiseman
Layoffs Hurt, but TFT Helps	Herb Ayers, MA, LMHC
Chaos Theory	Rita Weinberg, PhD
Leadership Changes	Joanne Callahan, MBA
TFT Today	Herb Ayers, MA, LMHC
Foundation News	Joanne Callahan, MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 16, Autumn 2010
Byumba Leaders Using TFT to Help Their Community
Meet Your TFT Members	Robert Pasahow, PhD
	Colin Barron, PhD
Rwandans Help Each Other Recover	Caroline Sakai, PhD
Hawaii Training Project for ATFT Rwanda	Caroline Sakai, PhD,
	Ann Yabusaki, PhD
Haiti 2010: TFT Foundation Mission to Haiti	Phyll Robson, Howard Robson
“Hey, Mom! I Need a Haircut!”	Helen Sugarman Schicketanz
TFT Today	Herb Ayers, MA, LMHC
Project Turning Point	Mette Rosseland
I Learn How to Help Others Every Day	Jackie Rioux
ATFT Foundation: 2010 and Beyond	Joanne Callahan, MBA

ATFT Update Magazine	Issue 17, Summer 2011
Sudden Destruction: Japan
Member Spotlight	Jim McAninch
Sudden Destruction in Japan	Ayame Morikawa, PhD
ATFT & ACEP Coming Together – Let’s Make it Happen	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Esophogeal Spasms Relieved with TFT	Lois Sugarman, PhD, RN, FT
Hidden Benefits of TFT	Robert Pasahow, PhD
A Strange Tale and My Smallest Patient	Terri Perry
First Aid for our Cat, Harry	Terri Perry
Who Cares about Homeless Women Vets?	Bruce Paton, PhD
ATFT Foundation, USA and UK	Joanne Callahan, MBA
New Initiatives; ATFTF-UK	Dr Howard Robson
TFT Today	Herb Ayers, MA, LMHC

Tapping for Humanity	Winter 2012
TFT Foundation 2011 Year in Review and Projects and Dreams for 2012
TFT Healing Comes Full Circle – Our Dreams become Reality	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Tapping for Peace … One Heart at a Time	Mary Cowley, PhD
ATFTF (UK) Ltd Report for October 2011	Howard Robson
Combined Treatment for Elderly Patients	Katherine Bragin, LCSW
Thought Field Therapy Serving our Women Vets!	Bruce Paton, PhD
TFT Foundation Hawaii – Rwanda Training a Success	Suzanne Connolly, LCSW, LMFT
TFT Publication Guidelines	Herb Ayers, MA, LMHC

Tapping for Humanity	Spring 2012
Our Plans Needs and Hopes for This Year and Our Long-Term Future Joanne Callahan, MBA
Fundraising Book Corner	Mary Lou Dobbs
Matching Funds Gift Program	Bruce Paton, PhD
TFT Spotlight	Herb Ayers, MA LMHC
Transforming Trauma – Creating Peace	Mary Cowley, PhD
Thought Field Therapy – PTSD Study Published
ACEP Grant Awarded to Suzanne Connolly
TFT Foundation (USA), ATFT Foundation (UK) and Mats
Uldal Humanitarian Foundation
(MUHF) Form a Multi-National Trauma Relief and
Research Team	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Multi-National TFT Team Leads PTSD Research and
Provides Trauma Relief and Practitioner
Training in Uganda 2012	Roger Ludwig, MA
TFT Team Returns to Uganda	Phyll and Howard Robson, MD
Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami – TFT in the Aftermath
TFT to Help Wounded Warriors in Leaps of Faith Event
TFT Community Day of April 20^th 2012	Deacon Augustin NZABONIMANA
TFT Foundation Publication Guidelines

Tapping for Humanity	Summer 2012
TFT Foundation 2012 Summer – Tapping Around the World	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Tapping into Healing – Uganda 2012 Brief Summary	Roger Ludwig, MA
Fundraising Book Corner	Suzanne Connolly, LCSW, LMFT
Matching Funds Gift Program	Bruce Paton, PhD
A Letter of Thanks	Fr. Peter Mubunga BASALIZA
Uganda 2012 Team Leaders – Short Report	Phyll and Howard Robson
Tapping into Healing for Wounded Warriors at Leaps of Faith Event	Patricia Jennings
Don’t Stop Short: Tap ‘til You’re Free of Your Perturbation	Jacqueline Smillie
TFT Works at so Many Levels – From Launching Healing	Phyll Robson
to Merely Improving the Quality of Life of an Individual	Henry “Mack” Davis
Horses and Tapping Heal the Hearts of Troubled Children at Stillwater Farms	Barbara Hutson
Transforming Trauma – Creating Peace	Mary Cowley, PhD
A Trip to Cairo
TFT Mexican Association – Reaching out with TFT	Alvaro Hernandez
TFT Foundation Publication Guidelines
Tapping for Humanity	Winter 2013
Looking Back at 2012 and Forward to 2013	Joanne Callahan, MBA
Back to Rwanda – Treating, Training and Documenting the Healing	Suzanne Connolly
Anxiety Study – Finally it is out	Mats Uldal
Thought Field Therapy Serving Our Women Vets in New Mexico	Bruce Paton, PhD
Amazing Results From Brazil – A New Application for TFT	Teixeira, Paula
Peacemakers Inc. – Using TFT to Relieve Trauma and Reduce Violent Behavior	John Ivey
World Trade Center Trauma Relief in New York	Diane Bahr-Groth
Fundraising Book Corner	Bob Bray
TFT Foundation Publication Guidelines

Research on Thought Field Therapy®

Posted in Resources

TFT Research List: Listed Chronologically
Quantitative Studies Only

* Asterisk Denotes Random Controlled Trial (RCT)

Folkes, C. (2002). Thought Field Therapy and trauma recovery. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4, 99-103.

Abstract:

People who have been repeatedly exposed to traumatic events are at high risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Refugees and immigrants can certainly be in this category, but seldom seek professional therapy due to cultural, linguistic, financial, and historical reasons. A rapid and culturally sensitive treatment is highly desirable with communities new to Western-style healing. In this study of 31 clients (aged 5-48 yrs.), a pre-test was given, all participants received Thought Field Therapy (TFT), and were then post-tested after 30 days. Pre-test and post-test total scores showed a significant drop in all symptom sub-groupings of the criteria for PTSD. The findings of this study contrast with the outcomes of other methods of treatment, and are a significant addition to the growing body of data on refugee mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

Sakai, C., Connolly, S., & Oas, P. (2010). Treatment of PTSD in Rwanda genocide survivors Using Thought Field Therapy. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 12(1), 41-49.

Abstract:

Thought Field Therapy (TFT), which utilizes the self-tapping of specific acupuncture points while recalling a traumatic event or cue, was applied with 50 orphaned adolescents who had been suffering with symptoms of PTSD since the Rwandan genocide 12 years earlier. Following a single TFT session, scores on a PTSD checklist completed by caretakers and on a self-rated PTSD checklist had significantly decreased (p < .0001 on both measures). The number of participants exceeding the PTSD cutoffs decreased from 100% to 6% on the caregiver ratings and from 72% to 18% on the self-ratings. The findings were corroborated by informal interviews with the adolescents and the caregivers, which indicated dramatic reductions of PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, bedwetting, depression, isolation, difficulty concentrating, jumpiness, and aggression. Following the study, the use of TFT on a self-applied and peer-utilized basis became part of the culture at the orphanage, and on one-year follow-up the initial improvements had been maintained as shown on both checklists.

PMID:20828089 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

*Connolly, S. M., & Sakai, C. E. (2011). Brief trauma symptom intervention with Rwandan genocide survivors using Thought Field Therapy. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 13(3), 161-172.

Abstract:

This randomized waitlist control study examined the efficacy of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) in reducing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Participants included 145 adult genocide survivors randomly assigned to an immediate TFT treatment group or a waitlist control group. Group differences adjusted for pretest scores and repeated measures anovas were statistically significant at p < .001 for 9 of 10 TSI trauma subscales and for both severity and frequency on the MPSS, with moderate to large effect sizes. Reduced trauma symptoms for the group receiving TFT were found for all scales. Reductions in trauma symptoms were sustained at a 2-year follow-up assessment. Limitations, clinical implications, and future research are discussed. PMID:22708146 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

*Irgens, A., Dammen, T., Nysaeter T., & Hoffart, A. (2012). Thought Field Therapy (TF) as a treatment for anxiety symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Explore, 8(6) 331-337.

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate whether thought field therapy (TFT) has any impact on anxiety symptoms in patients with a wide range of anxiety disorders. Design: Forty-five patients who were randomized to either TFT (n = 23) or a waiting list (n = 22) condition. The wait-list group was reassessed and compared with the TFT group two and a half months after the initial evaluation. After the assessment, the wait-list patients received treatment with TFT. All 45 patients were followed up one to two weeks after TFT treatment, as well as at three and 12 months after treatment. Subjects: Patients with an anxiety disorder, mostly outpatients. Intervention: TFT aims to influence the body’s bioenergy field by tapping on specific points along energy meridians, thereby relieving anxiety and other symptoms. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the TFT and the wait-list group. The TFT group had a significantly better outcome on two measures of anxiety and one measure of function. Follow-up data for all patients taken showed a significant decrease in all symptoms during the one to two weeks between the pretreatment and the post-treatment assessments. The significant improvement seen after treatment was maintained at the three- and 12-month assessments. Conclusion: The results suggest that TFT may have an enduring anxiety-reducing effect. Registration number NCT00202709, http://Clinical.Trials.gov Key Words: Thought field therapy, TF, psychotherapy, anxiety disorders.

*Connolly, S. M., Roe-Sepowitz, D., Sakai, C. E., & Edwards, J. (2013). Utilizing community resources to treat PTSD: A randomized controlled study using Thought Field Therapy. African Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 24-32.

Abstract:

The use of Thought Field Therapy (TFT), a brief therapy technique, is examined in a randomized controlled study, to determine if there is a significant difference in the reduction of trauma symptoms between the treated group and the untreated group. Study participants in the waitlist group received treatment after having completing the posttest. Prior to the study, TFT techniques were taught to Rwandan community leaders, who then provided one-time individual trauma-focused TFT interventions to one hundred and sixty four adult survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide in their native language, Kinyarwanda. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of trauma symptoms used were the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and the Modified Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (MPSS) translated into Kinyarwanda. Significant differences were found in trauma symptoms and level of PTSD symptom severity and frequency between the treatment and the waitlist control groups. Participants in the waitlist group experienced significant reductions in trauma symptoms following their subsequent treatments, which took place after the first posttest. These positive outcomes suggest that a one-time, community leader facilitated trauma-focused TFT intervention may be beneficial with protracted PTSD in genocide survivors. Key words: Community Resources, PTSD, Rwanda, Thought Field Therapy, Trauma Treatment Keywords: AJTS June 2013 3(1): 00-00

*Robson, R. H., Robson, P. M. Ludwig, R., Mitabu C., & Phillips, C. (2016). Effectiveness of Thought Field Therapy provided by newly instructed community workers to a traumatized population in Uganda: A randomized trial. Current Research in Psychology. doi:10.3844/crpsp.201

Abstract:

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is a promising treatment for posttraumatic stress in a resource poor environment. This study further explores the benefits of this treatment in a rural population in Uganda, which had suffered from the psychological consequences of previous violent conflict. Thirty-six local community workers received a two-day training in TFT trauma intervention and treated 256 volunteers with symptoms suggestive of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who had been randomly allocated to a treatment or waitlist (control) group. Assessment was by the Posttraumatic Checklist for Civilians (PCL-C). One week after treatment, the treated group scores had improved significantly from 58 to 26.1. The waitlist group scores did improve without treatment, from 61.2 to 47, although significantly less than the treatment group, but improved markedly to 26.4 following treatment. There was some evidence of persisting benefit 19 months later. This study supports the value of TFT as a rapid, efficient and effective therapy, empowering traumatized communities to treat themselves, although repeated treatment may still be needed. Keywords: Thought Field Therapy, PTSD, Uganda, Conflict, Community Therapists

A Literature Review of PTSD/TFT Studies in Africa

Dunnewold, A.L. (2014) Thought Field Therapy efficacy following large scale traumatic events. Current Research in Psychology, 5(1), 34-39. doi:10.38/crpsp.2014

Abstract:

Thought Field Therapy Efficacy Following Large Scale Traumatic Events: Description of Four Studies Thought Field Therapy (TFT) has been shown to reduce symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress (PTS) with trauma survivors in four studies in Africa. In a 2006 preliminary study, orphaned Rwandan adolescents, who reported ongoing trauma symptoms since the 1994 genocide, were treated with TFT. A 2008 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) examined the efficacy of TFT treatments facilitated by Rwandan Community leaders in reducing PTS symptoms in adult survivors of the 1994 genocide. Results of the 2008 study were replicated in a second RCT in Rwanda in 2009. A fourth RCT in Uganda (in preparation for submission) demonstrated significant differences in a third community leader-administered TFT treatment. The studies described here suggest that one-time, community leader-facilitated TFT interventions may be beneficial with protracted PTS in genocide survivors.

Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress (PTS), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Energy Psychology, Trauma, Trauma Survivors, Genocide Survivors, Community-Based Psychological Intervention

A Qualitative Study/Follow-up Published in a Peer-Reviewed Online Journal

Edwards J. (2016). Healing in Rwanda: The words of the therapists. The International Journal of Healing and Caring, 16(1). Retrieved from http://ijhc.org/2015/12/ijhc-master-table-of-contents-full/

Abstract:

In 2009, four therapists from the United Sates presented the basic algorithm training in Thought Field Therapy (TFT) to 36 respected community members at the Izere Center (Center for Hope) in the Northern District of Rwanda. A year later, 35 of the trained therapists reported in an interview that they had treated an average of 37.50 people each (SD = 25.37). They had met with each person an average of 3.19 sessions (SD = 1.08) to assist with various issues. They reported that they had treated from 3 (n = 1, 2.9%) to 123 (n = 1, 2.9%) people. They also shared their experiences during the year following treatment. The therapists reported that prior to the Thought Field Therapy treatments, their clients had experienced anger, fear, headaches, hopelessness, anxiety, loneliness, and sadness. They reported that after the treatment, people’s lives had changed. They felt happy, their trauma was gone, they felt better than before they had come to the therapist for help, they had regained hope, they wanted to work, and their fears were gone. The therapists reported that TFT had made a difference when their clients took it seriously and wanted help, the clients had memories of the trauma and knew what they wanted to work on, the therapists prepared the clients for TFT by explaining it, and the clients followed directions. They reported that it did not appear to help the clients when the clients went home to conditions of poverty and confused the adversities of poverty with the symptoms of genocide trauma, the clients were not aware of the problem, the clients wanted to beg or misled the therapist, and the clients doubted that it would work. The clients were pleased with their treatments; gave testimonies about the help they had received; were grateful; returned to say, “Thank you;” and brought other clients for treatment. The therapists believed that TFT had made a difference in the community. The therapists reported that TFT is really effective, they indicated that a positive aspect of TFT is that people can treat themselves, and they recommended that TFT be used throughout Rwanda. Key words: Thought Field Therapy, TFT, Energy Psychology, Rwanda, PTSD, Trauma

**Studies Grouped by Category (Quantitative Studies Only) * = RCT**

Below, the studies are listed in the following categories: anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, a literature review of PTSD/TFT studies in Africa, depression, anger (Anger/Irritability Scale), flashbacks/intrusive memories (Intrusive Experiences Scale), avoidance (Defensive Avoidance Scale), dissociation (Dissociation Scale), sexual distress (Sexual Concerns Scale), dysfunctional sexual behavior (Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior Scale), self-esteem/self-concept (Impaired Self-Reference Scale), and acting out behavior (Tension Reduction Behavior Scale).

Anxiety

Abstract:

*Irgens, A., Dammen, T., Nysaeter T., & Hoffart, A. (2012). Thought Field Therapy (TF) as a treatment for anxiety symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Explore, 8(6), 331-337.

Abstract:

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Folkes, C. (2002). Thought Field Therapy and trauma recovery. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4, 99-103.

Abstract:

Sakai, C., Connolly, S., & Oas, P. (2010). Treatment of PTSD in Rwanda genocide survivors using Thought Field Therapy. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 12(1), 41-49.

Abstract:

PMID:20828089 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Abstract:

*Robson, R. H., Robson, P. M., Ludwig, R., Mitabu C., & Phillips, C. (2016). Effectiveness of Thought Field Therapy provided by newly instructed community workers to a traumatized population in Uganda: A randomized trial. Current Research in Psychology. doi:10.3844/crpsp.201

Abstract:

A Literature Review of PTSD/TFT Studies in Africa

Dunnewold, A. L. (2014). Thought Field Therapy efficacy following large scale traumatic events. Current Research in Psychology, 5(1), 34-39. doi:10.38/crpsp.2014

Abstract:

Depression

Abstract:

Anger (Anger/Irritability Scale)

Abstract:

Flashbacks/Intrusive Memories (Intrusive Experiences Scale)

Abstract:

Avoidance (Defensive Avoidance Scale)

Abstract:

Dissociation (Dissociation Scale)

Abstract:

Sexual Distress (Sexual Concerns Scale)

Abstract:

Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior (Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior Scale)

Abstract:

Self-Esteem/Self Concept (Impaired Self-Reference Scale)

Abstract:

Acting Out Behavior (Tension Reduction Behavior Scale)

Abstract:

Qualitative Study of Rwandan Therapists’ Experiences

Edwards J. (2016). Healing in Rwanda: The words of the therapists. The International Journal of Healing and Caring, 16(1). Retrieved from http://ijhc.org/2015/12/ijhc-master-table-of-contents-full/

Abstract:

The following studies have been done on Thought Field Therapy^® (TFT):

Blaich (1988) found that readers improved in their reading speed by 45% after using Dr. Callahan’s treatment of tapping the side of the hand for Psychological Reversal.
Yancey (2002) found that middle school students used Thought Field Therapy^® to eliminate angry and violent feelings, to achieve at higher levels in school, and to overcome difficulties in relationships with friends and family. Adults used TFT with students to assist them in improving their scores on tests, relieve stress, get along better with family members and friends, overcome violent feelings, and grow in self-confidence. They also used it with themselves, their families and their friends to overcome stress.
In 714 participants who were treated for 1,594 problems, paired-samples t-tests indicated significant reduction on the Subjective Units of Distress (0-10) self-report scale in 31 categories from pretest to posttest (Sakai et al., 2001).*
Thought Field Therapy^® significantly decreased phobia of needles as measured prior to the treatment and a month later using the questions on the Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) related to blood-injection-injury phobia and the Subjective Units of Distress (1-10) self-report scale (Darby, 2002).
Thought Field Therapy^® significantly decreased fear of speaking in public as measured by the Subjective Units of Distress (1-10) self-report scale and the Speaker Anxiety Scale (Schoninger, 2004).
Of 105 survivors in Kosovo who had 249 traumas, 103 reported complete absence of the trauma with 247 of the traumas. Presence or absence of the “bad moment” (p. 1238), or trauma, was used due to cultural taboos against the use of the Subjective Units of Distress (1-10) self-report scale. The results remained an average of five months later (Johnson, 2001).*
Thirty-one immigrants to the United States showed a statistically significant decrease in post-traumatic symptoms as indicated by scores on the Posttraumatic Checklist-C, as well as on their Subjective Units of Distress (1-10) self-report scale from before the Thought Field Therapy^® treatment to 30 days later (Folkes, 2002).
Diepold and Goldstein (2008) conducted a case study to examine the effects of Thought Field Therapy^® on brain waves. They found significant differences between the brain waves of the participant when she was thinking about a trauma and when she was thinking about a neutral event. Immediately after being treated with Thought Field Therapy^® for a trauma, her brain waves were altered to be like those of the neutral state. The participant’s breathing patterns were also normal after the treatment. Eighteen months after the treatment, she reported being free of flashbacks to the trauma.
The client in Callahan (2004) went from a Stage IV (in her bone‑marrow) Non‑Hodgkins Lymphoma to being cancer free in two years. She used Thought Field Therapy^® to live a normal lifestyle, avoid the side effects of the medication, and be free from fear and anxiety. She had been free of cancer for a year and three months. As of this writing, she has been free of cancer for eight years, as of 3/10. She was able to comply with the doctor’s orders and avoid taking any additional medications (i.e., for depression, anxiety, etc.).
Carbonell (1995) conducted a study to asses the effectiveness of TFT with acrophobia, or fear of heights. The 49 participants took the Cohen acrophobia questionnaire, were rated on their behavioral response to their phobia, and were randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups. The placebo groups tapped on random parts of their bodies, while the experimental group received Thought Field Therapy^® treatments. Carbonell found statistically significant differences between members of the experimental group and members of the placebo group.
Carbonell and Figley (1999) examined Traumatic Incident Reduction, Visual-Kinesthetic Disassociation, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Thought Field Therapy^®. All practitioners followed a similar protocol. Thirty-nine participants were treated. All four approaches appeared to have immediate impact, as well as some lasting impact.
Callahan (2001) presented 20 cases in which he and other therapists had treated clients using Thought Field Therapy^®. Improvements in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) corresponded with decreases in the degree of upset. Improvements in HRV were also greater than what is found in the literature.
Wade (1990) employed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and the Self-Concept Evaluation of Location form. One month after the participants in the experimental group (28) had filled out the instruments, they received treatment with Thought Field Therapy^®. The members of the control group (25) received nothing. Sixteen of the participants in the experimental group dropped four or more points in their Subjective Units of Distress scale (SUD), while just four members of the control group decreased two or more points. Two months after the treatment, all participants filled out the instruments again. Participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements on three of the subscales.
Pasahow (2005) used Thought Field Therapy^® to treat 12 clients for pain. Immediately after the treatments, participants had an average reduction of 82% (SD = 39%), with 10 of the clients experiencing great relief (to a 0 or 1) and two of the clients not experiencing any relief. The relief lasted from 4 to 96 hours for the 10 clients who experienced relief, with the average length of time being 33.2 hours (SD = 38.3 hours).
Pasahow (1997) used Thought Field Therapy^® to eliminate dizziness in three clients. The dizziness was still gone 10 weeks later for one client, 6 weeks later for another client, and “weeks later” (p. 3) for the other client.
Callahan (1987) treated 68 people who called in to talk shows with Thought Field Therapy-Voice Technology with a 97% success rate. The average treatment time was 4.34 minutes, and the SUD went from an average of 8.35 on a 1 to 10 scale to an average of 2.10, for a mean decrease of 6.25 points.
Leonoff (1995) also treated 68 people who called in to talk shows with Thought Field Therapy-Voice Technology with a 97% success rate. The average treatment time was 6.04 minutes, and the SUD went from an average of 8.19 on a 1 to 10 scale to an average of 1.58, for a mean decrease of 6.61 points.
Perry (2008) conducted case studies and found that when toxins were tested and eliminated, traumas and phobias were treated, panic attacks ceased, heart rate variability moved toward normal, and clients became calmer.

References

Blaich, R. (1988). Applied kinesiology and human performance. Selected papers of the International College of Applied Kinesiology, (Winter), 1-15.

Callahan, J. (2004). Using Thought Field Therapy^® (TFT) to support and complement a medical treatment for cancer: A case history. The International Journal of Healing and Caring On-Line, 4(3).

Callahan, R.J. (1987). Successful treatment of phobias and anxiety by telephone and radio. Originally published in Collected Papers, ICAK. Now published (2004) TFT: The early papers. La Quinta, CA: Callahan Techniques.

Callahan, R.J. (2001). The impact of Thought Field Therapy on heart rate variability. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(10), 1153-1170.

Carbonell, J.L. (1997). An experimental study of TFT and acrophobia. The Thought Field, 2(3), 1-6.

Carbonell, J.L., & Figley, C. (1999). A systematic clinical demonstration of promising PTSD treatment approaches. TRAUMATOLOGY, 5(1), Article 4.

Connolly, S., Sakai, C. (2011) International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, Brief Trauma Intervention with Rwandan Genocide-Survivors Using Thought Field Therapy, (13) 3, 161-172

Connolly, S., Sakai, C., Edwards, J. (2013) Utilizing community resources to treat PTSD: A randomized controlled study using Thought Field Therapy, African Journal of Traumatic Stress, (3)1, June 2013, 24-32

Darby, D. W. (2002). The efficacy of Thought Field Therapy as a treatment modality for individuals diagnosed with blood-injection-injury phobia. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64 (03), 1485B. (UMI No. 3085152)

Diepold, J.H., Jr., & Goldstein, D.M. (2008). Thought Field Therapy and QEEG changes in the treatment of trauma: A case study. Traumatology OnlineFirst, November 9, 2008.

Folkes, C. (2002). Thought Field Therapy and trauma recovery. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4(2), 99-104.

Johnson, C., Shala, M., Sejdijaj, X., Odell, R., & Dabishevci, D. (2001). Thought Field Therapy: Soothing the bad moments of Kosovo. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(10), 1237-1240.*

Leonoff, G. (1995). The rapid treatment of phobias and anxiety by radio and telephone: A replication of Callahan’s study of 1987. Thought Field Newsletter, 1(2).

Morikawa, A. I. H. (2005). Toward the clinical applications of Thought Field Therapy to the treatment of bulimia nervosa in Japan. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, California Coast University, Santa Ana.

Pasahow, R.J. (1997). Thought Field Therapy and dizziness. The Thought Field, 3(2), 3.

Pasahow, R. (2005). Thought Field Therapy and pain. The Thought Field, 11(2), 2-5.

Perry, T. (2008). Chemical fragrances: Effects on the autonomic nervous system. Positive Health Magazine, 150(Aug./Sept.).

Sakai, C., Paperny, D., Mathews, M., Tanida, G., Boyd, G., Simons, A., Yamamoto, C., Mau, C., & Nutter, L. (2001). Thought Field Therapy clinical applications: Utilization in an HMO in behavioral medicine and behavioral health services. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(10), 1215-1227.*

Sakai, C., Connolly, S., Oas, P. (2010) International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, Treatment of PTSD in Rwandan Child Genocide Survivors Using Thougth Field Therapy, (12)1, 41-49

Schoninger, B. (2004). Efficacy of Thought Field Therapy (TFT) as a treatment modality for persons with public speaking anxiety. Dissertation Abstracts International, 65 (10), 5455. (UMI No. AAT 3149748)

Wade, J. (1990). The effects of the Callahan phobia treatment technique on self concept. Doctoral dissertation, The Professional School of Professional Psychology, San Diego.

Yancey, V. (2002). The use of Thought Field Therapy in educational settings. Dissertation Abstracts International, 63 (07), 2470A. (UMI No. 3059661)

*The Journal of Clinical Psychology articles were not peer reviewed and were published with invited critical reviews.

ATFT UPdate Magazine/E-Zine

ATFT Update Magazine and E-zine Archive

Research on Thought Field Therapy®

TFT Research List: Listed Chronologically Quantitative Studies Only

Folkes, C. (2002). Thought Field Therapy and trauma recovery. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 4, 99-103.

A Literature Review of PTSD/TFT Studies in Africa

A Qualitative Study/Follow-up Published in a Peer-Reviewed Online Journal

Studies Grouped by Category (Quantitative Studies Only) * = RCT

Anxiety

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A Literature Review of PTSD/TFT Studies in Africa

Depression

Anger (Anger/Irritability Scale)

Flashbacks/Intrusive Memories (Intrusive Experiences Scale)

Avoidance (Defensive Avoidance Scale)

Dissociation (Dissociation Scale)

Sexual Distress (Sexual Concerns Scale)

Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior (Dysfunctional Sexual Behavior Scale)

Self-Esteem/Self Concept (Impaired Self-Reference Scale)

Acting Out Behavior (Tension Reduction Behavior Scale)

Qualitative Study of Rwandan Therapists’ Experiences

The following studies have been done on Thought Field Therapy® (TFT):

TFT Research List: Listed Chronologically
Quantitative Studies Only

**Studies Grouped by Category (Quantitative Studies Only) * = RCT**

The following studies have been done on Thought Field Therapy^® (TFT):