perspective The Emotional Core Therapy Process
Robert A Moylan*
LCPC, Private Practice, Naperville, Illinois, USA
*Corresponding author: Robert A Moylan, LCPC, Private Practice, Naperville,
Illinois, USA. Tel: +16307881100; Fax: +16302450337; Email: bmoylan111@gmail.com
Every human being, no matter the age, suffers situational and
relationship stress. Now with Emotional Core Therapy (abbreviated as ECT), we
have a psychological model that can effectively treat the root cause of this
said stress, if used properly. This journal article will present the eight step
ECT Model and teach one how to effectively utilize the process. The ECT process
can sometimes take 20, 30 or more hours to learn. For this journal article, we
will give readers the tools to comprehend the basic tenants of the process and
test it for scientific validity. ECT is the only behavioral psychology model
that has never been disproven to work to treat psychological stress. That is
why we can say, the ECT process has direct scientific proof that it is the most
effective psychological approach available worldwide to treat stress. All
previous psychological models only have circumstantial evidence of
effectiveness.
What is the difference between circumstantial evidence and
direct scientific proof in relationship to understanding stress? With
circumstantial evidence, we can only say it works sometimes. That is to say
sometimes patients get needed relief by using the techniques tested, and
sometimes they do not. The reason this dynamic occurs is there exists literally
hundreds of psychological techniques that can release stress sometimes if used
properly. For example, many of the expressive therapy’s do an excellent job of
dissipating stress over time. (art and music therapy for example). Nearly all
psychological models go through some sort of testing. SAMSA (US Government
agency called Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services), does some testing of
models. Currently there exist approximately 300 models on SAMSA’s website that
SAMSA endorses to treat stress. None of these models can state they have
“Direct scientific evidence of proof of effectiveness”. Only the Emotional Core
Therapy model can state this claim.
What is the difference between Emotional Core Therapy and all
the previous models available to treat psychological stress? The answer to this
question deserves and needs a lengthy response. Both of which are below and
serve as a message for all psychiatrists and their patients that hope is nearby
for those suffering situational stress that is not permanent in nature. The
brief answer is only Emotional Core Therapy accurately and effectively treats
the root cause of stress when used properly. All previous psychological models
do not treat the root cause of stress.
When a psychiatrist or a patient learns to adequately treat the
root cause of stress, several important events happen. First, stress is
alleviated which is a good outcome. Secondly, the person using the model
has learned how to effectively treat the environmental stress causing his body
discomfort. By doing this, one can likely achieve a balanced equilibrium the
next time they face the same stress. We will provide examples below. It is
important to note, not all stress is uncomfortable. For example, joy is an
emotion causing one stress. Some stress can be pleasurable on the body and
mind.
1. Introduction and Discussion
The International Journal of Psychiatry and Cognitive Behavioral
Scienceis an excellent vehicle to bring forth useful scientific information
that can aid the masses. My goal with this journal entry is to explain the
rudimentary parts of the ECT process so that all psychiatrists and their
patients can begin to test and use ECT in their daily lives. A thorough and
complete manuscript of the Emotional Core Therapy flowchart and process will be
added in a link below so readers can readily learn the process. A one-hour
training video, linked below, will offer visual learners another vehicle to
learn ECT.The psychology field has a vast amount of techniques that are truly
effective at releasing stress. For this reason, alone, this journal article can
only begin to scratch the surface of what is truly available to help humans
suffering stress.
First and foremost, psychiatrists, patients, and the general
public are best served with a clear understanding of the definition of stress.
What is it? And why is stress a problem? The root cause of stress is the
temporary arousal of one of the four true emotions. Emotions are what cause the
body stress. Sometimes this stress is uncomfortable. Sometimes not. There exist
only four emotions. These four emotions are temporary. They arise from entering
and leaving relationships. When you go towards something you like there exists
joy. A pleasurable bodily sensation that nearly all humans strive to achieve on
a day to day basis. When you leave something, you like there exists grief or
sadness. When you go towards something you dislike there exists fear/anxiety.
When you leave something, you dislike there is relief. A great deal of time in
therapy is learning to embrace and honor these four emotions as they serve as a
navigation tool in life. Generally speaking, humans will want to steer towards
joy and relief and move away from fear and grief when possible. Why is this so?
All for emotions alter the body and central nervous system. Long term grief and
fear cause tremendous problems for the organs and muscular skeletal system.
It is impossible to measure these adverse and problematic
effects on our body and mind over time and attribute their release to a certain
psychological method! Why? Each person or patient perceives stress differently.
Also, psychic pain dissipates over time if the external variable causing stress
is removed from the person’s life. How then can we say that ECT, or any
psychological method, for that matter is effective at all? Therein lies the
crucial question! ECT is the only available model that currently treats the root
cause of stress. All one has to do is a google search on the four true emotions
to ascertain that fact. Why do I know this? I have a federal copyright on ECT.
All other behavioral psychology models redirect a person from their four true
emotions. Thus, redirecting them from the true cause of their stress they are
seeking treatment or relief from. To expand upon this concept further, it is
important to mention the concept of regression. Many people using Emotional
Core Therapy or any other psychological method will from time to time face
regression. Why does this occur? While in treatment the patient sometimes will
choose additional relationship choices that can add stress to the body and
mind. There exists a fundamental humility for any psychiatrist, cognitive
behavioral specialist, or healer. People can regress and get worse under your
care because they are free to choose relationships that can bring them grief
and fear. An example of this would be a happy go lucky mother of two (under the
care of a hospital doctor) who gives birth to special needs infant who needs
24-hour care in the intensive care ward at a local hospital. One day she is
filled with excitement and hope. The next day and weeks, her life is filled
with excessive anxiety and depression. These types of stresses exist all too
frequently for doctors and therapists to treat in their practice.
With Emotional Core Therapy, we now have a model, that if used
properly, can help alleviate these types of daily stresses. Compassion,
support, and empathy are effective tools for psychiatrists and therapists to
use while teaching ECT. Any psychic stress has eight important aspects to
comprehend when starting treatment. These eight concepts are part of my eight
step Emotional Core Therapy Flowchart and process. Some steps can be understood
or learned in a matter of a few hours. Other steps may take five or more hours
to learn. There are several ways I teach learning these steps. First, I like to
share the Holmes and Rahe Scale of stress. See link below. This scale
lists the top forty stresses on one’s life and gives a rating for each stress.
The Holmes and Rahe Scale of measurement is inaccurate as people perceive
stress differently. However, it gives the patient or reader time to think in
terms of learning how serious stress can occur to anyone at any time. Secondly,
I have clients make a list of between 10-20 stressful events in their lives.
For readers of the International Journal of Psychiatry and
Cognitive Behavioral Science we will take the same process. Readers are invited
to learn the ECT process by reading the entire manuscript which is attached
below in the published Valley International Journal. This self-directed reading
can allow each reader to go at their own pace in learning ECT. Also, if need
be, you can watch the one-hour training video below. The only way we can
ascertain direct scientific proof that Emotional Core Therapy is the most
effective psychology approach available worldwide is to test the process
oneself. Respecting the individual needs and emotions of each patient is
integral for the testing process. The manuscript attached below has a detailed
explanation of Emotional Core Therapy and Scientific Evidence so that each
person knows how to prove the effectiveness of the ECT Flowchart and process.
2. Materials and Methods
Since each person is unique in how they identify and treat
relationship stress, the only tools you need to prove effectiveness are your
own personal stressful events, my Emotional Core Therapy book and training
videos which are provided below for free.
2.1. ECT Manuscript
ECT Video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9OE2lqNX8.
2.2. Holmes and Rahe Scale
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale
3. Results
Although many people have utilized parts or all of the ECT
process successfully to identify and treat stress, these results only provide
circumstantial proof of effectiveness. For direct scientific proof, one needs
to utilize the eight-step process oneself. See guidelines on scientific
evidence attached in manuscript above. Scientific evidence can only be done
with the naked eye. In the case of psychology approaches, this is the most
optimum way of demonstrating effectiveness. ECT works just like entering data
into a computer. A psychiatrist or patient, once they have learned ECT, just
needs to learn and apply the ECT process to each stressful event in one’s life
to get back to a state of peaceful equilibrium. Just as a golfer has to regroup
and rebound from each golf shot he hits on a golf course, so would humans need
to do the same to appropriately manage their emotions. This is a noble and
idealistic goal. No one really does this 100% of the time. Especially since
minor stress is not too burdensome. Each person has the right to self-determine
what he wants to do with his emotions and needs on and hourly and daily basis.
What one will discover once they learn and apply ECT to a stressful event
is that the eight steps demonstrate a cause and effect relationship with
stress. For example, point A may be putting your hand on a hot stove. That is
the cause. Point B is the effect. A stinging and painful sensation of grief in
our hand. Common sense would tell us to not do this again. The same can be said
for serious emotional duress. Why would one want to inflict undue stress upon
oneself? Most educated people would not do such a thing. Therein lies a great motivational
tool for the esteemed International Journal of Psychiatry and Cognitive
Behavioral Science. Why not lesson human suffering through education. Since
Psychiatrists often deal with dispensing medications to treat stress. The same
process can be used with medicating clients. Let each patient feel empowered by
being informed as much as possible about the pros and cons of medication
treatment for stress. What are the benefits of medication? What are side
effects? Etc. By using this ECT process you are empowering patients and
promoting patient satisfaction.
4. Conclusions
All able bodied human beings suffer relationship stress. Every
effort needs to be taken to ensure they receive the most effective treatment
for psychological stress. The Eight Step Emotional Core Therapy video and book
provide the most encompassing process to treat stress at this time. Efforts
going forward need to be taken to expand the ECT process to include the many
various ways to release stress and meditate properly. Psychiatrists and their
patients will be empowered by learning how to combat stress effectively.
I have developed three acronyms to help you remember the
Emotional Core Therapy Flowchart and process. My clients write down these
acronyms in their book next to the flowchart at the end of each chapter. If you
can remember these three acronyms, you are well on your way to identifying and
processing the stress you encounter in life through Emotional Core Therapy.
5.1. Real Nervous Souls Experience Bodily Stress Racing
Everywhere (Acronym for 8 steps)
R : Relationships
N : Needs
S : Five Senses
E : Emotions
B : Bodily
S : Symptoms
R : Releasing process
E : Equilibrium Balanced.
5.2. Every Feeling Soul Prospers (Acronym for the four needs
that can cause us stress)
E : Emotional
F : Financial
S : Spiritual
P : Physical
5.3. Just Get for Real (Acronym for the four true emotions)
J : Joy
G : Grief
F : Fear
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