The integration of energy work and psychotherapy

This dissertation examines the potential for the integration of energy-based healing techniques with traditional verbal psychotherapy. While psychology has conceptualized the human being according to a biopsychosocial model, energy techniques seek to address the energetic or spiritual level of human existence. The literature review explores the history, techniques and current practice of three hands-on energy healing modalities: Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and Healing Touch. The available literature indicates that these techniques may hold value in evoking the relaxation response, and primarily reports on their use within medical settings. The author interviews eight licensed psychotherapists of various professional identities, who also currently practice some energy techniques. The interviews were analyzed for similarities and differences among participants. Nine themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews, including: the energy paradigm as integrative or complementary versus alternative; the degree of explicit integration of energy techniques with verbal therapy; the role of the body as bridge to energetic awareness; pervasive contact with and awareness of the energetic level; seeking clients' higher self as a guide in treatment decisions; sources of therapists' guidance in treatment decisions; attributions of underlying causes of symptoms; the mechanisms of healing illness; and, the importance of peer supervision/collaboration. The results suggest a model for understanding the impact of life experiences on the energetic system and the mechanisms by which healing occurs on the energetic level.