Ingrid Dinter’s scientific contributions

This study examined the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a brief exposure therapy combining cognitive and somatic elements, on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological distress symptoms in veterans receiving mental health services. Veterans meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD were randomized to EFT (n = 30) or standard of care wait list (SOC/WL; n = 29). The EFT intervention consisted of 6-hour-long EFT coaching sessions concurrent with standard care. The SOC/WL and EFT groups were compared before and after the intervention (at 1 month for the SOC/WL group and after six sessions for the EFT group). The EFT subjects had significantly reduced psychological distress (p < 0.0012) and PTSD symptom levels (p < 0.0001) after the test. In addition, 90% of the EFT group no longer met PTSD clinical criteria, compared with 4% in the SOC/WL group. After the wait period, the SOC/WL subjects received EFT. In a within-subjects longitudinal analysis, 60% no longer met the PTSD clinical criteria after three sessions. This increased to 86% after six sessions for the 49 subjects who ultimately received EFT and remained at 86% at 3 months and at 80% at 6 months. The results are consistent with that of other published reports showing EFT's efficacy in treating PTSD and comorbid symptoms and its long-term effects.

Abstract

A six session protocol of a brief and novel exposure therapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been efficacious in reducing PTSD and co-occurring psychological symptoms in a within-subjects time series trial. The current study uses a randomized design and a wait list control group (n=13). Experimental group subjects (n=19) received six hour-long EFT coaching sessions, with pretest and posttest evaluations, as well as intermediate tests after three sessions. PTSD was assessed using the PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Military), on which the lowest possible score is 17, and a score of 50+ is clinical. The severity and breadth of psychological distress was measured using the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment 45), a short form of the SCL-90. Neither symptoms nor PTSD scores declined in the wait list during the passage of time. The breadth of psychological distress diminished highly significantly in the EFT group, as did the severity (both p

Protocols to treat veterans with brief courses of therapy are required, in light of the large numbers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other psychological problems. This observational study examined the effects of six sessions of EFT on seven veterans, using a within-subjects, time-series, repeated measures design. Participants were assessed using a well-validated instrument, the SA-45, which has general scales measuring the depth and severity of psychological symptoms. It also contains subscales for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, phobic anxiety, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia, psychosis, and somatization. Participants were assessed before and after treatment, and again after 90 days. Interventions were done by two different practitioners using a standardized form of EFT to address traumatic combat memories. Symptom severity decreased significantly by 40% (p

Helping Veterans heal from the trauma of war has been a journey into a spiritual place that I might not have been able to reach otherwise. I am filled with gratitude for every soldier who has allowed me to get an insight into his or her world. These are my most amazing mentors who are giving me their loving trust and support to continue this journey. As a life coach, specializing in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), I have been blessed and honored to help many Veterans heal from their trauma of war. I have worked with US Marines who, even after 40 years, still can't find forgiveness for what happened in Vietnam. I have helped Veterans from most recent wars who have relived their nightmares of horror, overwhelm and danger every night. EFT4Vets, the training program for practitioners I have developed, understands PTSD symptoms as symptoms of the soul. It offers an integrated program for practitioners that will enable the EFT coach to assist the Veterans on the physical, mental, emotional, relational and soul levels. This program honors the transformational effect that using EFT for helping Veterans to release PTSD symptoms can have on the practitioner as well as the Veteran. Building rapport and trust between the practitioner and the client before the work together begins is an integral part of the training, and so is the thorough teaching of specific applications and techniques of EFT for Veterans through presentation, demonstration and practice.

As a certified Emotional Freedom Techniques "EFT" Practitioner, coming from a background of coaching, and as the daughter of a WWII Veteran and POW, I have been blessed to be able to help many Veterans who suffer from the trauma of deployment and the exposure to the horrors of war. EFT is a gentle combination of acupressure that is applied by tapping on designated meridians while focusing on the emotional component of a traumatic memory or negative belief that holds charge for the client. The issue that is being worked on is then specified into a meaningful phrase for the client, and repeated, while tapping on the meridian points to release the charge. Other techniques, such as the Wholistic Hybrid of EMDR and EFT (WHEE), Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Thought Field Therapy (TFT) and others are also based on accessing the body's subtle energies to release the intensity of trauma, and many studies have shown the effectiveness of these methods. When I started to offer free EFT sessions to Veterans, it became quickly apparent that there is minimal interest in the military as well as in individual active duty personnel and Veterans to reach out for help with the emotional traumas that very often follow military training and deployment. I realized that unless I understand more about the inner world of Veterans, military mindset and training, I will not be effective in reaching out and offering support. As a coach, my methods and goals for working with Veterans differ from mental health practice and psychotherapeutic practice. My approach does not begin with which method works best for the present trauma, but which method is the most acceptable for each individual person who has suffered the traumas of war. During an EFT session we don't judge, condone or excuse what happened to the client. Instead we take the emotional charge out of the past, so that the client can move on with his or her life and make choices and decisions that are now independent from what he or she has experienced.