Throughout my educational and professional trauma training, I don’t remember any professor or psychotherapy trainer discussing energy. At this point in my practice, many current modalities are utilized after first-hand experience. Many of us have heard phrases such as vibes and are familiar with the possibility of experiencing someone else’s vibe. These experiences are very valid and raise the importance of energy work and energy healing. As a trauma therapist, I am biased, but I fully believe that it is even more important for trauma survivors to be aware of energy and engage in energy healing practices.
What is Energy Healing?
Energy healing is a traditional and indigenous form of healing that focuses on the idea of a life force or energy field surrounding the body. The energy field surrounding the body, at times, is referred to as an aura. At other times, it is referred to as bodies. These bodies include the physical body, the emotional body, the mental body, and the spiritual body.
Energy healing also focuses on energy systems such as chakras, which are energy systems located within your body. There are many chakras, including major and minor ones. The chakra systems respond to specific nerve bundles and internal organs. In other words, for every internal organ or nerve bundle, there is a corresponding chakra that is impacted by and reflects its functioning.
Types of Energy Healing
There are many different forms of energy healing that date back centuries to the indigenous and traditional practices of our ancestors. Some common and well-known forms include:
- Reiki: A Japanese technique where practitioners place their hands lightly on or above the body to channel healing energy.
- Pranic Healing: A form of energy healing that is based on the concept of prana, or life energy, which is believed to be present in the body. Practitioners of Pranic Healing use techniques to balance, harmonize, and manipulate this energy to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
- Tai Chi and Qigong: These mind-body practices involve gentle movements and focus on cultivating and balancing the body’s energy.
- Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses thin needles inserted at specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow.
Benefits of Energy Healing
Western medicine and its constant desire to justify or quantify benefits are still seeking to understand and document the many benefits of energy healing. Despite this, there are many observable and identifiable benefits. Some benefits include:
Stress Reduction:
Practices such as Reiki, Qi Gong, or energy-focused meditation may help reduce stress by promoting relaxation and releasing tension. Stress reduction can have positive effects on mental health, contributing to a sense of calm and well-being.
Emotional Release:
Energy healing modalities may facilitate the release of stored emotional energy. For example, practices like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) involve tapping on specific energy points while addressing emotional issues. This release may provide a sense of emotional relief.
Balancing Energy Centers:
Many energy healing systems work with the concept of chakras or energy centers in the body. Practitioners aim to balance and align these energy centers to promote overall well-being. When the energy flow is harmonized, it may positively impact mental and emotional states.
Improving Mind-Body Connection:
Energy healing often emphasizes the mind-body connection. By addressing energetic imbalances, individuals may experience a greater sense of awareness and connection between their mental, emotional, and physical states.
Promoting Relaxation Response:
Certain practices, such as biofield therapies, aim to influence the body’s energy field to promote a relaxation response. This response can counteract the physiological effects of chronic stress and contribute to mental health.
Enhancing Self-Awareness:
Engaging in energy healing practices can enhance self-awareness. By tuning into one’s energy and paying attention to sensations or emotions, individuals may gain insights into their mental and emotional well-being.
Importance of Energy Healing for Trauma Survivors
At RISE, we believe that talk therapy is just one component of an individual’s wellness toolkit. Trauma-focused talk therapy may assist in addressing the mental body and various chakras. However, it leaves an opportunity to explore ways to cleanse and optimize the other bodies and chakras. Trauma survivors, at times, are sent negative energy, impacting their aura and chakras. Because trauma survivors are often operating in their lower chakras, which is representative of living in fight, flight, fawn, or freeze, engaging in energy healing practices is one of many ways to complement trauma therapy, reverse the impact of trauma, and further healing.
Begin Mind-Body Consulting in Baltimore, MD
Mind-body consulting is a way to explore the integration of mind-body practices within or alongside trauma therapy. Clients deserve a full toolkit, just as therapists do. RISE Therapy Services would be happy to offer support in providing incorporating mind-body interventions to help clients on their healing journey. We specialize in addressing the long-term effects of trauma and cultivating personal growth, and we are happy to provide clinical supervision and consulting across Baltimore. You can start your consulting journey by following these simple steps:
- Reach out to me with questions or if you are interested in getting started.
- Start exploring ways to incorporate mind-body interventions.
Other Services at Revilatizing Inner Self Essence in Baltimore, MD
Due to extensive and ongoing training, I have many skills to help therapists re-think providing therapy. I am happy to offer clinical supervision in Maryland and consulting, training, and presenting. While I offer trauma therapy at my Baltimore, MD-area practice, I specialize in combining trauma-informed interventions with mind-body interventions. Along with Mind-Body Medicine, I am trained in EMDR as a trauma therapy approach. If you are interested in getting to know more about my practice and my therapeutic methods, reach out to me.