Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2002 Spring; 4(2): 99-103.

Thought field therapy and trauma recovery.

Folkes CE.

San Diego State University/Claremont, CA, USA. [email protected]

People who have been repeatedly exposed to traumatic events are at high risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Refugees and immigrants can certainly be in this category, but seldom seek professional therapy due to cultural, linguistic, financial, and historical reasons. A rapid and culturally sensitive treatment is highly desirable with communities new to Western-style healing. In this study of 31 clients, a pre-test was given, all participants received Thought Field Therapy (TFT), and were then post-tested after 30 days. Pre-test and post-test total scores showed a significant drop in all symptom sub-groupings of the DSM criteria for PTSD. The findings of this study contrast with the outcomes of other methods of treatment, and are a significant addition to the growing body of data on refugee mental health.