ADDRESSING DIFFICULTIES WITH CHANGE, TRANSITION, AND PROGRESSION IN LIFE: HBLU™ AS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR PHOBIAS
ABSTRACT
Change cannot be denied and it is constantly prevalent in our external and internal worlds. How we adapt to change has an important impact on our lives as it can define the quality of our lives. I, the researcher, am interested in people’s change, how change affects people and how I can help them to progress fast and effectively.
Therefore the aims of this qualitative study are: 1) to introduce an alternative way to view phobias, and to 2) examine the effectiveness of an Energy Psychology method, HBLU™, in the detection and resolution of phobias in the context of change, transition and/or progression. This study's findings confirm the wide-ranging effect the HBLU™ simple phobia treatment had on the 10 participants and suggests that the HBLU™ simple phobia protocol was successfully implemented to treat all the participants, thereby relieving them of their phobias of change or transition.
KEYWORDS
Phobias; change; transition; progression; Energy psychology; HBLU™
ADDRESSING DIFFICULTIES WITH CHANGE, TRANSITION, AND PROGRESSION
IN LIFE: HBLU™ AS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR PHOBIAS
by
MARЀ SCHURIAN
Submitted in accordance with the requirements for
the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in the subject
Psychology
at the
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
Supervisor: Dr. Beate von Krosigk
November 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
List of Tables .........................................................................................................................xvi
List of Graphs .......................................................................................................................xvi
List of Figures …………………………………………………………............................……………...…...xvi
List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................xvii
1 INTRODUCING PHOBIAS, CHANGE, TRANSITION, PROGRESSION AND ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY …..............1
1.1. What do phobias have to do with change, transition and progression?...........................................................1
1.2. Reasons for relieving individuals of subtle phobias …………................................................................................5
1.2.1.1. Reasons for relieving subtle phobias of change,
Psychology method...........................................................................................................................................9
1.2.1. Reasons for relieving individuals of subtle phobias with HBLUTM, an Energy transition, and progression
with HBLUTM....................................................................................................................................................13
1.3. History and development of Energy Psychology.....................................................................................................16
1.4. Research objectives and question.............................................................................................................................19
1.5. Presentation.................................................................................................................................................................22
2 REVIEWING THE LITERATURE: DEEPENING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENERGY PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH
TO THE TREATMENT OF PHOBIAS ...................................................................................................................24
2.1. Looking at change and transition ........................................................................................................................24
2.1.1. Phobias, change and cognitive dissonance .................................................................................................24
2.1.2. Phobias and Psychological transitioning …………………………...…….......................................................……...27
2.2. Phobias ..................................................................................................................................................................30
2.2.1. Etiology of phobias .......................................................................................................................................... 30
2.2.2. Prevalence and characteristics of phobias ..................................................................................................34
2.3. Phobia treatments ................................................................................................................................................37
2.3.1. Conventional phobia treatments....................................................................................................................37
2.3.2. Development in phobia treatments .............................................................................................................45
2.4. Energy Psychology ..................................................................................................................................................46
2.4.1. What is Energy Psychology? ............................................................................................................................46
2.4.2. Matter and energy in Energy Psychology .....................................................................................................49
2.4.3. Meridians and Acupuncture points ...............................................................................................................53
2.4.4. The role of Qi ....................................................................................................................................................56
2.4.5. Meridians, Acupuncture points, Qi and Energy Psychology .......................................................................59
2.4.6. Chakras and biofields and morphogenetic fields..........................................................................................60
2.4.6.1. Chakras ....................................................................................................................................................60
2.4.6.2. Biofields ....................................................................................................................................................62
2.4.6.3. Morphogenetic fields .............................................................................................................................67
2.4.7. The mind-emotion-body-spirit connection in Energy Psychology .............................................................68
2.4.7.1. The mind-emotion-body connection ...................................................................................................68
2.4.7.2. The spirit connection ..............................................................................................................................81
2.5. Energy Psychology’s effectiveness from an energetic point of view ...............................................................88
2.6. Acknowledgment of Energy Psychology's efficacy .............................................................................................89
2.7. Phobia resolution with HBLUTM ..........................................................................................................................97
2.8. Energy Psychology approaches integrated with HBLUTM during phobia treatment ...................................100
2.8.1. Mindfulness .....................................................................................................................................................100
2.8.2. Intention, intent, and intentionality ............................................................................................................103
2.9. Energy Psychology techniques incorporated in the HBLUTM phobia protocol during phobia treatment..107
2.9.1. Kinesiology, Applied Kinesiology or Muscle testing ....................................................................................109
2.9.1.1. Muscle testing in HBLUTM .................................................................................................................112
2.9.2. Thought Field Therapy (TFT) in the treatment of phobias ......................................................,.................115
2.9.3. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) in the treatment of phobias ..............................................,............119
2.9.4. Additional Energy Psychology treatment approaches................................................................................122
2.9.5. Energy Psychology treatment approaches that were used during this research study....................……122
2.9.5.1. Tapping with the Watchmen in the tower ..........................................................................................123
2.9.5.2. Boundary tap ........................................................................................................................................123
2.9.5.3. Reversal /Conflict tapping ...................................................................................................................124
2.9.5.4. I Feel/ I am .............................................................................................................................................124
2.9.5.5. Emotional Stress Release ....................................................................................................................125
2.9.5.6. Unwinding Frontal/ Occipital Holding (UF/O holding) .......................................................................126
2.9.5.7. Drawing .................................................................................................................................................127
2.9.5.8. Raking or aura-combing ritual ............................................................................................................127
2.9.5.9. The Essence Process ...........................................................................................................................128
2.9.5.10. Time scrambling ..................................................................................................................................130
2.9.5.11. Body talk .............................................................................................................................................130
2.9.5.12. Visualization .................................................................................................................................. .....130
2.9.5.13. Colour breathing .................................................................................................................................133
2.9.5.14. HRT (Heart technique) ........................................................................................................................135
2.9.5.15. Healing/ Holy Light ..............................................................................................................................139
2.9.5.16. Curses and prayer ..............................................................................................................................140
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................143
3 METHOD ........................................................................................................................................................146
3.1. Rationale for the chosen research design .......................................................................................................146
3.2. Research design ................................................................................................................................................147
3.2.1. Qualitative research ...................................................................................................................................147
3.2.2. Grounded theory approach ......................................................................................................................147
3.3. Participants .......................................................................................................................................................149
3.3.1. Number of participants .............................................................................................................................149
3.3.2. Participant screening and selection .........................................................................................................150
3.3.3. Inclusion criteria .........................................................................................................................................151
3.3.4. Exclusion criteria ........................................................................................................................................152
3.4. Research procedures .......................................................................................................................................153
3.4.1. Data collection ............................................................................................................................................153
3.4.2. Debriefing ...................................................................................................................................................159
3.5. Data analysis ....................................................................................................................................................159
3.5.1. The process of data analysis ....................................................................................................................161
3.5.1.1. Interviews .........................................................................................................................................161
3.5.1.2. Questionnaires .................................................................................................................................162
3.5.1.2. 1. The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale - DASS ................................................................162
3.5.1.2. 2. The Impact of Event Scale - IOE .......................................................................................162
3.5.1.2. 3. The General Anxiety Disorder Assessment 7 question scale - GAD 7..........................162
3.5.1.2. 4. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale - HAM-A................................................................................163
3.6. Reliability and validity ......................................................................................................................................163
3.7. Protection of participants .................................................................................................................................166
Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................................................167
4 PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS .........................................................................................................169
4.1. Participants’ profiles ....................................................................................................................................170
4.2. Conceptual ordering of the categories drawn from the data ................................................................178
4.2.1. Category 1: The life changing event in each participant’s life ..........................................................181
4.2.1.1. Subcategory 1: The change ........................................................................................................181
4.2.1.1.1. Sub-subcategory 1: Work ................................................................................................181
4.2.1.1.2. Sub-subcategory 2: Relationships ..................................................................................182
4.2.1.1.3. Sub-subcategory 3: Relocation .......................................................................................183
4.2.1.2. Subcategory 2: A transition .........................................................................................................183
4.2.2. Category 2: The consequences of the change and transition in each participant...........................184
4.2.2.1. Subcategory 3: Emotional impact ...............................................................................................185
4.2.2.2. Subcategory 4: Mental and behavioural impact .......................................................................193
4.2.2.2.1. Sub-subcategory: Negative mental impacts: thoughts and beliefs .............................194
4.2.2.2.2. Sub-subcategory: Maladaptive behaviour .....................................................................197
4.2.2.3. Subcategory 5: Physical impact ....................................................................................................199
4.2.2.4. Subcategory 6: Spiritual impact ..................................................................................................201
4.2.2.5. Subcategory 7: Interpersonal impact .........................................................................................205
4.2.2.6. Subcategory 8: Social impact .......................................................................................................209
4.2.2.7. Subcategory 9: Occupational impact ..........................................................................................212
4.2.2.8. Subcategory 10: Lack of progression ........................................................................................214
4.2.2.9. Subcategory 11: Desired outcomes ...........................................................................................220
4.2.2.10. Subcategory 12: Consequences shown in 4 psychological tests...........................................223
4.2.3. Category 3: Realization of the presence of a phobia ........................................................................226
4.2.3.1. Subcategory 13: Phobic language .............................................................................................227
4.2.3.2. Subcategory 14: Self-realization ................................................................................................228
4.2.3.2.1. Sub-subcategory: Fear of change ..................................................................................229
4.2.3.2.2. Sub-subcategory: Fear of going through a period of transition ................................230
4.2.3.2.3. Sub-subcategory: Fear of progression .........................................................................231
4.2.3.3. Subcategory 15: Realization through muscle testing ................................................................232
4.2.4. Category 4: Treatment of simple phobias with the HBLUTM simple phobia protocol ..................232
4.2.4.1. Subcategory 16: Simple clearing and solutions ........................................................................234
4.2.4.2. Subcategory 17: Establishing Muscle testing .............................................................................236
4.2.4.3. Subcategory 18: Establishing a goal ...........................................................................................239
4.2.4.4. Subcategory 19: Mapping out phobias ......................................................................................243
4.2.4.5. Subcategory 20: Energy Psychology techniques applied before phobia resolution ............250
4.2.4.6. Subcategory 21: Energy Psychology techniques applied during phobia
resolution with the HBLU TM phobia protocol ............................................251
4.2.4.7. Subcategory 22: Resolution of phobias .....................................................................................261
4.2.5. Category 5: Treatment efficacy directly after treatment ...................................................................261
4.2.5.1. Subcategory 23: Participants’ statements ....................................................................................262
4.2.5.2. Subcategory 24: Participants’ written learnings ..........................................................................265
4.2.5.2.1. Sub-subcategory: Greater self-awareness .......................................................................266
4.2.5.2.2. Sub-subcategory: Optimism about the future and new possibilities............................267
4.2.6. Category 6: Treatment efficacy one week after the treatment ........................................................268
4.2.6.1. Subcategory 25: Emotional changes ...........................................................................................268
4.2.6.2. Subcategory 26: Mental and behavioural changes ...................................................................276
4.2.6.2.1. Sub-subcategory: Awareness of mental changes: new thoughts and beliefs ..........276
4.2.6.2.2. Sub-subcategory: Behavioural changes ........................................................................283
4.2.6.3. Subcategory 27: Physical changes .............................................................................................284
4.2.6.4. Subcategory 28: Changes in spiritual awareness .....................................................................285
4.2.6.5. Subcategory 29: Interpersonal and social changes ................................................................286
4.2.6.6. Subcategory 30: Occupational changes ....................................................................................289
4.2.6.7. Subcategory 31: Progression towards participants’ individual goals .....................................291
4.2.6.8. Subcategory 32: Participants’ unresolved issues .....................................................................294
4.2.6.8.1. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved emotional issues .........................................................294
4.2.6.8.2. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved mental and behavioural issues .................................294
4.2.6.8.3. Sub-subcategory: Unresolved physical issues..............................................................295
4.2.6.9. Subcategory 33: Measured changes in 4 Psychological tests ................................................295
4.2.7. Category 7: Treatment efficacy two months after treatment........................................................298
4.2.7.1. Subcategory 34: Further emotional changes .........................................................................301
4.2.7.2. Subcategory 35: Further mental and behavioural changes ................................................305
4.2.7.3. Subcategory 36: Further physical changes .............................................................................309
4.2.7.4. Subcategory 37: Further developments in spiritual awareness.............................................310
4.2.7.5. Subcategory 38: Further interpersonal and social changes ..................................................311
4.2.7.6. Subcategory 39: Further occupational changes .....................................................................313
4.2.7.7. Subcategory 40: Progression towards participants’ individual goals.....................................315
4.2.7.8. Subcategory 41: Desired outcomes met...................................................................................317
4.2.7.9. Subcategory 42: Participants’ unresolved issues ..................................................................318
4.2.7.9.1. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved emotional issues ........................................................318
4.2.7.9.2. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved mental and behavioural issues ................................319
4.2.7.9.3. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved physical issues ...........................................................319
4.2.7.9.4. Sub-subcategory: Lack of progression towards goals ..............................................320
4.2.7.10. Subcategory 43: Emerging healing needs ...........................................................................320
4.2.7.10.1. Sub- subcategory: Unresolved grief .......................................................................320
4.2.7.10.2. Sub- subcategory: Interpersonal relationship management ...............................320
4.2.7.10.3. Sub-subcategory: Physical concerns .......................................................................320
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................320
5 DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................322
5. 1. Discussion of the findings ..................................................................................................................322
5.1.1. Life changing events......................................................................................................................323
5.1.2. A life changing event can have positive or negative consequences ......................................324
5.1.2.1. Emotional consequences ..................................................................................................325
5.1.2.2. Mental and Behavioural consequences .........................................................................329
5.1.2.3. Physical consequences .....................................................................................................332
5.1.2.4. Spiritual impact .................................................................................................................334
5.1.2.5. Interpersonal, Social and Occupational impact ............................................................335
5.1.2.6. Lack of progression and desired outcomes....................................................................337
5.1.3. A life changing event can create phobias of change and/or transition ................................339
5.1.4. Clearing phobias of change or transition with the HBLUTM simple phobia protocol .........341
5.1.4.1. Simple clearing .....................................................................................................................346
5.1.4.2. Muscle testing .....................................................................................................................348
5.1.4.3. Establishing a goal ..............................................................................................................350
5.1.4.4. Mapping out the phobias ...................................................................................................352
5.1.4.5. Energy Psychology techniques applied before clearing phobias...................................354
5.1.4.6. Phobia resolution.................................................................................................................356
5.1.4.6.1. Energy Psychology techniques applied during phobia resolution ....................357
5.1.4.6.2. Physiological reactions during phobia resolution ...............................................359
5.1.4.6.3. Emotional, Cognitive and Physiological reactions directly after
treatment .................................................................................................................360
5.1.4.7. Effectiveness of HBLUTM phobia treatment……………………………....................................362
5.1.4.7.1. Treatment was effective directly after treatment ...........................................362
5.1.4.7.1.(a) Positive emotional changes ............................................................... 362
5.1.4.7.1.(b) Positive cognitive changes ..................................................................363
5.1.4.7.1.(c) Positive physical changes ....................................................................364
5.1.4.7.1.(d) Positive spiritual changes ....................................................................364
5.1.4.7.2. Treatment maintained its effectiveness one week after initial
treatment………………………………………….........................................................…...…364
5.1.4.7.2.(a) Emotional improvements ...................................................................365
5.1.4.7.2.(b) Mental and behavioural improvements ............................................372
5.1.4.7.2.(c) Physical improvements .......................................................................374
5.1.4.7.2.(d) Positive spiritual changes ....................................................................374
5.1.4.7.2.(e) Interpersonal and social improvements ............................................375
5.1.4.7.2.(f) Positive occupational changes .............................................................376
5.1.4.7.2.(g) Participants progressed towards their individual goals….................376
5.1.4.7.2.(h) Participants’ new issues ......................................................................377
5.1.4.7.3. Treatment maintained its effectiveness two months after initial
treatment ................................................................................................................379
5.1.4.7.3.(a) Further emotional improvements .......................................................381
5.1.4.7.3.(b) Further mental and behavioural improvements.................................381
5.1.4.7.3.(c) Further physical improvements.............................................................382
5.1.4.7.3.(d) More changes in spiritual awareness ..................................................383
5.1.4.7.3.(e) Further positive interpersonal and social improvements .................384
5.1.4.7.3.(f) Further occupational changes................................................................385
5.1.4.7.3.(g) Progression towards participants’ individual goals ...........................385
5.1.4.7.3.(h) Participants' desired outcomes are met...............................................386
5.1.4.7.3.(i) Participants’ perceived unresolved issues ...........................................386
5.1.4.7.3.(j) Emerging healing needs .........................................................................389
5.2. Clinical implications of the findings ...............................................................................................390
5.2.1. The role of talk therapy .............................................................................................................390
5.2.2. The need for mindfulness and intention ...............................................................................391
5.2.3. The need for EP techniques and structured methods .........................................................392
5.2.4. The need for more than one technique when required ......................................................393
5.2.5. The need for muscle testing accuracy ....................................................................................393
5.2.6. Therapeutic implications ..........................................................................................................394
5.2.6.1. Healing emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually ..........................................394
5.2.6.2. Positive interpersonal, social and occupational impact .............................................395
5.2.6.3. Holistic healing effect .....................................................................................................395
5.2.6.4. Treatment goals................................................................................................................396
5.2.6.5. Improved client - therapist relationship ......................................................................397
5.2.6.6. Self - empowerment .......................................................................................................397
5.2.6.7. Multiple applications........................................................................................................397
5.2.7. Therapeutic and research uses.................................................................................................398
5.3. Integrating the HBLUTM simple phobia method into a phobia therapy session ......................399
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................402
6 CONCLUSION ...........................................................................................................................404
6.1. Detecting and resolving phobias of change and transition with the
HBLUTM simple phobia protocol .................................................................................................404
6.2. Answer to the Research Question ................................................................................................405
6.3. Limitations of the study .............................................................................................................. 406
6.4. Suggestions for future research....................................................................................................409
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………............................................................410
7 REFERENCES ……………………………………….…………………………..........................................…...414
8 APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………….............................................……438
8.1. Appendix A: Advertising for participants ...................................................................................438
8.2. Appendix B: Telephone screening form ....................................................................................439
8.3. Appendix C: Informed consent agreement ...............................................................................443
8.4. Appendix D: Consent to be audio recorded ..............................................................................447
8.5. Appendix E: Participant bill of rights ..........................................................................................448
8.6. Appendix F: Semi-structured interview guide ...........................................................................449
8.7. Appendix G: Simple clearing ......................................................................................................450
8.8. Appendix H: Muscle testing session ...........................................................................................452
8.9. Appendix I: Self muscle testing ...................................................................................................453
8.10. Appendix J: Four psychological tests: GAD 7, HAM- A, IOE, DASS ........................................455
8.11. Appendix K: Flow chart of HBLUTM standard balance protocol .........................................464
8.12. Appendix L: Structured HBLUTM phobia protocol interview guide ....................................465
8.13. Appendix M: Phobia discomfort scale ....................................................................................470
8.14. Appendix N: Treatment session ..............................................................................................471
8.15. Appendix O: List of interventions ............................................................................................473
8.16. Appendix P: Natural Bio-Destressing .....................................................................................474
8.17. Appendix Q: Emotional de-fusion by Unwinding frontal/occipital holding .......................476
8.19. Appendix R: Participants' 1st follow-up: Individual questions ...........................................477
8.20. Appendix S: Participants' 2nd/3rd follow-up: Individual questions ...................................487
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1: Demographic Profiles of the ten participants ...............................................................................171
Table 4.2: Categories, sub-categories, and sub-sub categories ..................................................................179
Table 4.3: The negative impact SUDS of the change and transition on the mental,
behavioural, physical, spiritual, interpersonal, social, and occupational levels of
the participants .............................................................................................................................193
Table 4.4: Lack of progression SUDS on the emotional (general), mental, physical,
spiritual, interpersonal, social, and occupational levels, including the SUD
levels of distress, fear, anxiety and shame participants felt about their overall
lack of progression on all these levels ......................................................................................215
Table 4.5: Score interpretations for the DASS test, measuring depression, anxiety and
stress………………………………………………………………………….........................................................…223
Table 4.6: Participants’ DASS, GAD 7, HAM-A and IOE mean scores before treatment........................224
Table 4.7: Number and type of phobias each participant had on their goal ........................................244
Table 4.8: Energy psychology interventions applied, number of Energy Psychology
interventions applied, Energy psychology intervention time and total treatment
time ..............................................................................................................................................253
Table 4.9: Mental, behavioural, physical, spiritual, interpersonal, social, and occupational
improved changes one week after treatment ........................................................................276
Table 4.10: Participants’ DASS, GAD 7, HAM-A and IOE mean scores before treatment and
one week after treatment .......................................................................................................296
LIST OF GRAPHS
Graph 4.1: Participant’s SUD on distress, anxiety, and fear during their change and transition......186
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 5.1: The delineation of the integration of the HBLUTM simple phobia protocol in a
phobia treatment session ......................................................................................................401
LIST OF ACRONYMS
ACEP The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology
AK Applied Kinesiology
AMI Apparatus for Meridian Identification
APA American Psychological Association
BK Behavioural Kinesiology
CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CSA Childhood sexual abuse
CT Cognitive Therapy
DB Diaphragmatic Breathing
EEG Electroencephalography
EFT Emotional Freedom Technique
EKG/ECG Electrocardiography
EM Electromagnetic
EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
EMF Electromagnetic field
EMG Electromyography
EP Energy Psychology
ERT Emotional Release Technique
HBLUTM Healing from the Body Level Up
HEF Human Energy Field
HRT Heart Technique
HRV Heart Rate Variability
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MT Muscle Testing
NBD Natural Bio-Destressing
NEC Negative Emotional Charge
NLP Neuro Linguistic Programming
NPS National Phobic Society
PEAR The Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research
PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PSA Public Speaking Anxiety
RCT Random Controlled Trial
REBT Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
RI Reciprocal Inhibition
SD Systematic Desensitization
SUDS Subjective Units of Distress Scale
TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine
TFT Thought Field Therapy
TIR Traumatic Incident Reduction
UF/O holding Unwinding Frontal/ Occipital Holding
V/KD Visual–Kinesthetic Disassociation
VR Virtual Reality
VT Voice Technology
WHEE Wholistic Hybrid Derived from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing