Power therapies

Power Therapy (also known as alphabet therapies) is a term applied to a set of therapies, usually for treating anxiety and trauma, that proponents say are at the cutting edge of psychiatry and psychology because of a stated efficacy and efficiency in being superior to traditional treatments. Examples of such treatments are: Thought Field Therapy (TFT; Callahan, 1995; Gallo, 1995), Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT; Craig, 1997), Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR; Gerbode, 1985, 1995), and VKD (Visual–Kinesthetic Dissociation).

History
Power therapies were developed through the early 1970s, became more popular in the 1980s and have diverged and merged into a set of therapies run by various usually commercial bodies. Each of these therapies have slightly different approaches, some are stated to be like biofeedback assisted dianetics, some use eye movements, and some using the tapping of energy meridians. They are usually taught through expensive courses and according to Singer and Lalich (1997:167) “are offered to consumers as fast, easy, and seemingly magical ways to provide psychological treatment”.

Specific approaches
Power therapies follow an eclectic approach, drawing from a wide variety of sources. The meridian based power therapies tend to be used in combination with traditional eastern philosophies or approaches, though their use of the term "energy" is often mixed with modern notions of quantum physics. Thus often vitalistic in nature, the theories proposed to support and guide power therapies tend to have a New age following.

Scientific testing
To date there is little evidence for the efficacy of any power therapy, and there is no evidence that any power therapy is any more effective than traditional therapies. The empirical or controlled studies on power therapies that have been conducted have tended to indicate non-specific effects such as placebo (Herbert et al 2000).

Criticism
According to Singer and Lalich (1997:167) the methods are spread using several techniques. “One is to start a certification program soon after conjuring up a new procedure” and “another is to seduce customers with rash promises and endorsements from acolytes and sycophants.” Singer and Lalich (1997:195) advise that if your therapist is saying “I don’t understand it but it sure does work” your possibly in for trouble. Or if he’s answering your questions with a lot of jargon you don’t understand, insist on straightforward explanations. Or is she’s telling you that its tried and true, do some independent research and find out what the critics are saying”. “In many cases such fad therapies are promoted by people who are (1) imposing an agenda that may not fit your needs and (2) abandoning testing and science. Well meaning as they may be, remember, its your emotions and your pocketbook that are being played with”.