Emotional Transformation Therapy and PTSD

Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) is a form of energy medicine using light, color and peripheral eye stimulation to change old stuck emotions, thoughts, behaviors or states of pain to a healthier, desirable, more empowered experience. ETT utilizes several tools to make use of color and light therapeutically, including a spectral chart, colored wands, a chromapulse machine (Light Box) and 360 degree peripheral glasses. ETT was developed by Steven Vazquez, PhD, who practices in Dallas Texas and teaches throughout the world.

Color serves as a catalyst to draw forth both emotional and physical responses. The therapist attunes to the client and selects colors that match the moment to moment state of mind. When this match occurs, there is a profound emotional shift. At other times one layer of emotion is cleared and another layer surfaces. This sequence may continue until the individual returns to the original neutral state that existed before the trauma or dysfunctional conditioning occurred. It is often the case that a desired experience such as calm, peace, relaxation, fills the space of the released emotion.

ETT has been effective with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is the development of distinctive symptoms after exposure to an intense trauma. The individual may have felt personally at risk of serious harm or death or witnessed a traumatic incident. The response to the event typically includes intrusive recollections in images, thoughts and recurring distressing dreams. The individual may feel as if the event is occurring in the present. She may experience physical or psychological distress at exposure to external or internal cues that resemble the event. There is often an experience of feeling in shock, helpless or dissociated. Other symptoms may include being on edge, hyper alert, difficulty concentrating or hypersensitive to sounds and movement.

How would an ETT Therapist work with PTSD?

Therapy begins with relationship and the building of trust. All treatment is individual and personalized. When using the light box, light stimulation allows the feelings and issues to unfold. There is an ongoing dialogue with the client during this process. The therapist may change the color as feelings emerge. If an individual feels overwhelmed, other colors are mixed to facilitate calm and grounding. If physical symptoms such as a headache emerge, then indigo or violet may be added to calm the brain. When there is a problem with dissociation, the focus of the treatment is using colors associated with engagement or using peripheral eye stimulation to access areas of the brain that are open to the present experience.

Why does ETT work?

One possibility is based on the idea of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s natural capacity to rewire and create new neural networks. This process can occur at any age. An individual can substantially change the quality of his/her life by changing how the brain habitually responds. This change occurs through the release of emotion and trauma. Then each of us can create a new neural network based upon our desired state and thoughts we want to implant. The light box can be used in this process of creating a new neural network using a specific frequency or through anchoring in the desired state.

Emotional Transformation Therapy is available at the Emerald Center for Integrative Medicine. Ann Padilla and Moira Fitzpatrick are ETT practitioners.