电台AiFM 职上云霄 - Dr Hiro Koo 以嘉宾身份，分享催眠职业生涯的点滴

 

Dr Hiro Koo曾在AiFM分享了催眠职业生涯的点滴，

每一段采访大概5-10分钟而已，很容易吸收。

你可以按以下连接聆听：

 

Part 1:

https://www.facebook.com/newmindcentre/posts/pfbid02vnNGFyUHiVMyBZPcAwrA1A4WMwQsKkjRkXWJ58EsE6L4YMN8TE9DMnX2L2LkhhC8l

 

Part 2:

https://www.facebook.com/newmindcentre/posts/pfbid077VjGFkDcfxuUSn7zRkHyVobV25mR4ruVbjYTBifrfccsG1DPBTdhEghxvEJNGBQl

 

Part 3:

https://www.facebook.com/newmindcentre/posts/pfbid0b5E7dMTnA93HNCw4bUG7MRC4qgJP1YQ7HLaU1vyXp2iaN1dkFy5gYfTxEBGg6JGl

 

Part 4:

https://www.facebook.com/newmindcentre/posts/pfbid07uukxPWSAza7qFofovLq7RGR7Ps17pjtwdMapqVHMTmDNTSVn9avEPUEaSh3Uqtvl

 

Part 5:

https://www.facebook.com/newmindcentre/posts/pfbid02vn3Eg8Zs6EDxYsz1o7fBsePUz8exM4tfyKPJKHw8un4F1zaipFba45jfByq2i78Sl

 

【伊白女王 III】Q-E3 大马时尚美容Magazine (20/07/2015) 催眠 X 自信

催眠 X 自信

你有完美的嗓子，梦想站在大舞台上高歌一曲；你有高挑的身材，梦想在时尚秀场上展现猫步。你心里想了想: “我有的是天赋，为什么就是没勇气踏上那个舞台？“。成千上万双眼睛注视着自己，心开始退缩了。

你还记得上次小编与临床催眠治疗师 Hiro Koo先生的专访吗？这一次，Mr. Koo会延续分享有关催眠的话题之外，还会带你寻找埋没在深处的自信心。想要重拾自信的你要用心看完哦！

阅读全文按此：点击阅读Q-E3 大马时尚美容网路杂志之采访内容

Text: 瀞瑩

Edit: Elizabeth

Photography: Chris

【伊白女王 III】Q-E3 大马时尚美容Magazine (13/07/2015) 催眠 X 焦虑症

“现在你看着我的手，深呼吸，我数 1，2，3… …睡着… …” 很熟悉的对白吧？没错，这就是我们经常在电视或电影里看到的催眠师与主角的对话。催眠师给予你的印象是什么？你对这行业了解有多深？你又是否遇过真正的催眠师呢？

【伊白女王 III】 很感谢临床催眠治疗师Hiro Koo先生接受我们的访问。Mr. Koo将会让我们重新认识什么是催眠，究竟它对我们日常生活当中的作息有什么帮助。小编与亲爱的读者一起上课啦！

更多详情：点击阅读Q-E3 大马时尚美容网路杂志之采访内容

Text: 瀞瑩

Edit: Elizabeth

Photography: Chris

We're on TV - Astro小太阳《你好奇的事 III》（第3 集：催眠治疗师）

催眠师究竟有什么魔力控制别人的行为呢？

姿姿想尝试催眠珠珠
姿姿从电视节目上看见，当某人被催眠师催眠后，他会依照催眠师的指示做出不同的动作。姿姿很好奇催眠师究竟有什么魔力控制别人的行为。于是她就依样葫芦，拿起怀表在珠珠面前摇晃，尝试催眠她。珠珠不想当姿姿的试验品，于是就带她到Spectrum Of Life保健中心寻找催眠师Mr Koo解答疑团。

  

催眠师并不能控制人的行为
Mr Koo 说，很多人以为催眠师能控制别人的行为，其实是被电视节目或电影的剧情影响。事实上，催眠师并没有控制别人思想或者行为的能力。被催眠的人虽然看起来是在睡眠状态，但他的头脑依然保持清醒和有意识的。催眠是一种心理治疗的方法，催眠师会通过特殊的技巧引导被催眠的人高度集中注意力，进入放松状态，唤醒人的潜意识。然后催眠师就会从人的潜意识上进行调整，从而改善他们的情绪和习惯等等。


  

催眠治疗能对人们带来怎样的帮助呢？

催眠能治疗某些疾病、心理障碍和坏习惯
对催眠有了初步了解后，姿姿和珠珠对催眠治疗更感兴趣了。她们很好奇到底催眠治疗能对人们带来什么帮助。Mr Koo解释说，催眠治疗的范围很广泛，一些疾病或心理障碍都能透过催眠治疗而痊愈。例如某些人在面对外人时会产生恐惧，而出现口吃、心悸、脸红等状况，他可以透过催眠治疗来克服恐惧，提高自信心，令口吃、心悸和脸红的问题不药而愈。除此之外，催眠治疗也能帮助人们摆脱创伤、焦虑、强迫症、紧张、冲动等情绪。催眠还能帮助人回溯过去，透过催眠疗法能让人对某件事的认知进行调整。


  


催眠治疗并无危险性
姿姿和珠珠都曾经在电视上看见一些被催眠的人情绪不稳定而失控大哭，她们很好奇为什么会出现那样的状况。她们也很想知道催眠治疗会不会有危险。为了找出答案，她们再次去请教Mr Koo。Mr Koo说，催眠治疗是非侵入性的疗法，而且被催眠的人本身也有危险意识，所以催眠治疗并没有危险性。可是在治疗的过程中，某些被催眠的人会因为被唤醒过去伤痛的回忆，而产生强烈的情绪反应例如哭泣、焦虑或身体的挣扎等等。


  
  

姿珠侠女介绍催眠注意事项
在分享重要讯息的单元里，姿姿和珠珠向观众讲解一些催眠必须注意的事项。例如：进行催眠时被催眠者应穿上舒服轻便的服饰，脱下皮带、眼镜、外套等等以摆脱束缚。催眠之前也要适度进食，避免吃太饱或饿肚子，否则会引起肚子不适而影响集中力。成人在进行催眠前不可饮酒，以免思绪混乱导致注意力无法集中。患有精神分裂症不适合接受催眠治疗。


  

资料来源： Astro 小太阳

此节目已经播放于10月5日（星期天）傍晚6.30pm。

自我催眠以帮助失眠

催眠疗法治疗失眠是应用一定的催眠技术使人进入催眠状态，并用积极的暗示控制病人心身状态和行为的一种心理治疗方法，通过正性意念来消除焦虑、紧张、恐惧等负性意念。

　　要想拥有安稳的睡眠，必须内心安宁平和。多数失眠者患的是“失眠担心症”，开始时是偶然事件造成的偶然睡不着，后来则是因为担心失眠而导致失 眠，越失眠就越担心，越担心就越失眠，形成恶性循环并深陷其中无法自拔。催眠治疗就是要消除这种紧张担心的条件反射。治疗在温馨舒适的环境中进行，伴随着 优美的音乐，治疗师一方面用专业轻柔的语言，引导来访者进入深度放松状态，一方面引导其体验深度放松的感觉，让来访者在意识清醒状态下真切地触摸到入睡的 感觉，并学习掌握跟这种入睡感觉建立连接的方法，使来访者对入睡建立信心，消除对失眠的焦虑。对于担心失眠者来说，只要消除了紧张担心的感觉和条件反射， 内心安宁了，睡眠自然就正常了。

　　催眠疗法对失眠有非常高的疗效。在催眠师语言的诱导下，能使患者达到全身乃至心灵深处的放松。催眠师的循循诱导，能使患者摆脱所有影响睡眠的症 结;再通过一针见血的语言指令，使一切造成压力、紧张、不安、挫折的因素得以宣泄，深层的病因被催眠师消除，从而能使患者体验到心身放松的快感和愉悦。只 要经常体验这种松弛状态，那么恢复正常的睡眠功能那是指日可待的事情了。

　　身体疾病导致的失眠，也可通过催眠疗法进行辅助治疗。潜意识对调节和控制人体的内分泌、呼吸、消化、血液循环、免疫、物质代谢等均起着很大作 用。身心灵是一体的，当内心充满了焦虑紧张等消极情绪时，体内会有大量的P物质和去甲肾上腺素释放，使全身血管收缩，气滞血淤，各种身心疾病由此产生。而 人在喜悦、大笑、回忆幸福的体验时，会有大量的脑啡肽的分泌，这种脑啡呔的止痛能力超过自然吗啡的二百倍之多,是人体内部主要的止痛系统。如果在催眠状态 下不断地强化积极情感、良好的感觉以及正确的观念，消除焦虑紧张等消极情绪，人脑中枢神经也会分泌大量的脑啡肽，不但有止痛作用，而且让人内心感到安详宁 静，从而改善睡眠质量。

自我催眠能帮助失眠？

夜裏無法入睡、做夢支離破碎、醒來比睡去更累，失眠的心病可以靠催眠醫治；本港一項研究發現，催眠治療能令失眠患者每晚多睡一小時，連帶抑鬱及焦慮症狀也大幅減少六成。

記者：張嘉雯

今年40歲的 Jenny，兩年前開始失眠，每晚只能睡三、四小時，尋求精神科醫生治療不果，「最初生完 BB，返工壓力又好大，眼光光望住天花板要一、兩個鐘先瞓到，成日發噩夢俾人追殺、炒魷魚，腸胃好唔舒服，成日肚屙」。
任職會計的她，更因日間無 法集中精神，工作出錯，「計錯數，老闆畀現金我，我又唔見錢，好大鑊 o架嘛，要自己賠番錢出嚟」。她接受兩個多月的催眠治療，結果少了噩夢，腸胃不適次數也由每周一、兩次減至每月一次。

助進入鬆弛狀態

香港復康會適健中心和港大行為健康研究中心在2009年5月至去年8月，進行整合式催眠治療對繼發性失眠的成效研究，發現37名參與催眠治療的人士，入睡 所需時間由原來平均42分鐘減至21分鐘，平均睡眠時間由少於六小時增至多於七小時，抑鬱及焦慮症狀的比率由原來的83.8%及91.7%，下降至 17.1%及26.5%。
香港復康會適健中心註冊社工尹婉萍指，每五個港人就有一人受失眠困擾，若每晚超過半小時未能入睡、中途「扎醒」超過30分鐘、較慣常早醒超過一小時，以及睡眠後好像沒有睡過一樣，情況持續超過一個月，每周出現兩次或以上，即可算失眠。
本 身是認可催眠治療培訓導師的尹婉萍解釋，催眠治療師會協助當事人進入鬆弛狀態，使潛意識更容易接收正面、積極的訊息，紓解困擾、消除負面思想；傳統催眠由 催眠師作出提示，整合性催眠治療不一樣，「唔一定（幻想）去沙灘或者郊外，由佢自己去搵番啲令佢安靜嘅平台，令自己舒服有力嘅嘢，好似開心嘅生活片段，由 佢哋自己畀個提示自己」。整個治療需要三至七節，在一至兩個月內完成。

催眠助入睡步驟

1.找一個舒適位置躺卧或坐下來

2.閉上雙眼深呼吸，以鼻吸氣，以口呼氣，每次呼氣時放鬆全身

3.重複深呼吸三、四次，想像自己到了一處美麗而舒適的地方，內心向自己發出提示，如「我可以攤唞一陣」或「我享受此刻舒服自在的感覺」

4.若有煩擾的片段出現，內心向自己發出提示，如「由得佢啦」

5.再進行深呼吸一、兩次，就可以自然入睡

資料來源：香港復康會適健中心

http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20110221/14995952

How to help someone with depression without drugs?

Compelling research evidence exists that there is often a neurophysiological basis for depression, particularly in people with a family history of depression.

The left frontal area of the brain is associated with positive emotions and approach motivation, which is a desire to be involved with other people. The right frontal area of the brain is more associated with depression and fear, accompanied by motivation to withdraw from and avoid other people. When there is more slow brainwave activity in the left frontal area, this part of the brain is more inactive and the right frontal area is more dominant. Such a person is predisposed to become depressed more easily, to withdraw from other people, and to be anxious.

According to ISNR website, it is interesting that research has found that antidepressants do not correct the type of brainwave pattern that we see above on the left. Thus, medication treatment for depression appears to still leave intact the biological predisposition for becoming more easily depressed when unpleasant life circumstances come along.

I am working in a proactive healthcare centre (non-drug approach) at Setapak as a psychologist. I am supervised by a medical doctor and a PHD level psychologist who specializing in biofeedback for more than 20 years. I am using clinical hypnotherapy and biofeedback methods to help my clients.
Our unique approach for depression appear very promising not only in bringing relief from depression, but in modifying the underlying biological predisposition for becoming depressed. Biofeedback focuses on retraining the brain, for example, reversing the frontal brainwave asymmetry, with the goal of producing an enduring change that does not require people to remain on medication indefinitely. Training often requires about 20 to 22 sessions.

(All retrieved from ISNR website)

[疗法小分享]Applied Psychophysiology

[疗法小分享]

与你分享一些不那么为人知晓的疗法。

如果你认为身边的某人情绪不佳又有忧郁倾向，既不是内科疾病，也不是严重到被认为是精神病的程度。但他又抗拒去见任何类型的治疗师，你可以推荐他来个脑力训练（我的方法是使用Applied Psychophysiology方法并结合临床催眠疗法）。

根据我的经验，这不难被说服；谁不想要提升专注力，IQ或记忆力呢？

针对脑部的训练，除了可以提升IQ能力，增强专注力记忆力等；

根据不同的脑部部位进行针对性训练下，研究显示还能够改善忧郁症呢！让人的情绪变得更正面。我有不少顾客在训练后，家人或有人都会发现他们的情绪都变得正面许多。

我所使用的疗法除了有许多研究论文支持，美国心理学会 (American Psychological Association)也肯定其为Proficiencies in Professional Psychology。

Clinical Hypnotherapy can help with Migraines

Article by Natural News

A migraine is a debilitating form of a headache. Many people suffer from migraines. Various triggers can produce the onset of a migraine. However, reducing the likelihood of a migraine occurring and getting rid of one once it occurs, can be challenging. Studies have been conducted showing that hypnotherapy can be quite beneficial to the migraine sufferer. In many studies, hypnosis has been shown to be more beneficial than medications.

Common triggers of migraines include hormonal changes, stress, food, changes in sleep patterns, medications, and changes in the surrounding environment. Symptoms of migraines vary from person to person, but many people report moderate to severe pain that pulsates, worsens with physical activity and interferes with day-to-day activity, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, and sometimes experiencing auras. A migraine can last for 4 to 72 hours, but frequency varies greatly.

One study compared the effect of hypnotherapy versus the prescription medication prochlorperazine (Stemetil). The study consisted of 47 participants who reported feedback every month for a year. They reported number of attacks per month, severity of attacks, and complete remission. Results of the study showed that those who received hypnotherapy reported far fewer migraine attacks compared to those who received medication. Out of 23 participants who received hypnotherapy, 10 of them ceased to experience migraines. Out of the 24 participants who used medication, 3 of them ceased to experience migraines.

Another study reported the benefits of behavioral therapy. These approaches include relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and hypnosis. Hypnosis can help migraine sufferers avoid triggers such as controlling stress and avoiding certain foods.

Two hypnotherapy techniques used in treating migraines include the hand warming and glove anesthesia. These techniques put migraine sufferers in control of their pain by helping them transfer warmth or numbness to their head where their head hurts. These techniques were shown to be more beneficial than simple relaxation exercises. This study concluded that medication is ineffective in treating chronic migraines and supports psychological treatment because there are no side effects.

These studies show that hypnotherapy and natural methods of treating migraine headaches are more effective than using medication. The fact that hypnosis has no side effects and many prescription medications have many side effects makes hypnotherapy a more natural and safe approach to treating migraines. In addition to no side effects, many studies have shown that the effects of hypnosis are more lasting and beneficial compared to the use of medication.
Sources

Anderson, J.A., Basker, M.A., & Dalton, R. (1975). Migraine and hypnotherapy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 23(1), 48-58.
Heap, M. (1988). Hypnosis: current clinical, experimental and forensic practices. Taylor & Francis.
Sandor, P.S. & Afra, J. (2007). Nonpharmacologic treatment of migraine. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 9(3), 202-205.

Complementary and alternative medicine techniques in Psychology

Alternative techniques

Today’s psychologists are increasingly integrating complementary and alternative medicine techniques into their work with clients. Here’s an overview of the most popular treatments, the research on their efficacy and the ethical concerns they raise.

By Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP, and Allison J. Shale, MS

April 2013, Vol 44, No. 4

Print version: page 48

People have used many CAM treatments for thousands of years, but it was not until 1999 that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) created the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) with a mission of defining "the usefulness and safety of complementary and alternative medicine interventions and their roles in improving health and health care" (NCCAM, 2011e).

Now, incorporating CAM into both daily life and health care is part of a larger movement that focuses on more integrative and holistic care. The psychology profession — with its strong history of integrating innovations — is among those embracing CAM.

Interestingly, Eisenberg et al. (1998) determined that people visited CAM practitioners 243 million more times than they visited primary-care physicians in the preceding year. According to 2007 data from NCCAM, 38.3 percent of adults and 11.8 percent of children reported having used a form of CAM in the preceding year (Barnes et al., 2008). This corresponds with nearly $34 billion being spent each year on CAM products and services (Briggs, 2007). Although this amount accounts for only 1.5 percent of the total amount spent on health care, it is nearly 11.2 percent of out-of-pocket health-care costs (Briggs, 2007).

While much more research remains to be done, studies have begun to demonstrate the effectiveness of many CAM modalities for treating a wide range of ailments and disorders. The literature documents dozens of CAM interventions that fall within four main categories: mind-body medicine, biologically based practices, manipulative and body based practices and energy medicine (NCCAM, 2011e). CAM may also be viewed in the context of whole medical systems, which include traditional Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy and homeopathy.

In this article, we describe 14 CAM modalities in the order of their frequency of use as reported in a large national survey conducted for the National Institutes of Health (Barnes, Bloom, & Nahin, 2008) and additional use data. They are dietary supplements, meditation, chiropractic, aromatherapy, massage therapy, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, spirituality, religion and prayer, movement therapy, acupuncture, Reiki, biofeedback, hypnosis and music therapy.

Dietary supplements

Many dietary supplements are used to promote health and wellness as well as to treat pain, depression and anxiety. Commonly used supplements include ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, vitamin supplements and echinacea. Dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but are held to very different quality standards than more conventional forms of medicine. Of specific note, the FDA does not review the safety and effectiveness of any supplement before it is sold to consumers. As a result, the potency or composition of the supplements may vary between manufacturers or even within a single manufacturer's batch. Much of the research on dietary supplements varies due to this lack of regulation. 

It is essential that psychologists be aware of the risks that may come with using dietary supplements so that they are able to competently advise their clients about their use, such as by referring them to their physicians when indicated. Despite the risks, 17.7 percent of people surveyed had taken a dietary supplement in the past year, according to Barnes et al. (2008). While psychologists might educate clients on the substances themselves, they should be making referrals to primary-care physicians, who can monitor patients' blood levels as well as watch for potential interactions.

Meditation

Meditation is a process by which people learn to focus their attention as a way of gaining greater insight into themselves and their surroundings (Duke Center for Integrative Medicine, 2006). Meditation is used to treat a variety of symptoms, such as elevated blood pressure, anxiety, stress, pain and insomnia, as well as to promote overall health and well-being (Grossman, Niemann, Schmidt, & Walach, 2007; Rainforth et al., 2007). 

In 2007, 9.4 percent of adults surveyed by NIH reported they practiced meditation (Barnes et al., 2008). When meditating, clients must focus their attention on "breathing, or on repeating a word, phrase or sound in order to suspend the stream of thoughts that normally occupies the conscious mind" (Mayo Clinic, 2010b).

There are several different forms of meditation, each of which falls into one of two categories: mindfulness meditation and concentrative meditation. Mindfulness meditation focuses attention on breathing to develop increased awareness of the present, while concentrative meditation aims to increase overall concentration by focusing on a specific word or phrase (NCCAM, 2011c). Although there are many different types of meditation in each category — such as Vipassana, transcendental and walking meditation — most forms of meditation have four elements in common: a quiet location; a specific, comfortable posture; a focus of attention; and an open attitude (NCCAM, 2011c).

Meditation can be integrated into ongoing psychological practice, but it is important that both clinicians and their clients are appropriately trained before attempting to meditate on their own. While there are no formal qualifications necessary for those who practice general meditation, a variety of organizations offer certification in specific forms of meditation, such as mindfulness-based meditation and transcendental meditation. Psychologists who want to integrate meditation into their practice will want to first assess the legitimacy of particular organizations before seeking certification through them.

Chiropractic

The main theory behind chiropractic practice is "that nerve and organ dysfunction is often the result of misaligned vertebrae of the spine" (Kuusisto, 2009). Chiropractic physicians use noninvasive treatments, such as spinal manipulations or chiropractic adjustments (American Chiropractic Association, 2011). The purpose of these manipulations "is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile — or restricted in their movement — as a result of a tissue injury" (ACA, 2011). The ultimate goal of chiropractic is to realign the spine so that the body functions best and can in turn heal itself.

Chiropractic is used by 8.6 percent of Americans each year to treat a range of ailments from pain and headaches to stress and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among other conditions (Assendelft, Morton, Yu, Suttorp, & Shekelle, 2008; Bastecki, Harrison, & Haas, 2004; Tuchin, 1999).

To practice chiropractic, one must obtain a doctor of chiropractic degree, which takes several years of graduate work. While most psychologists aren't likely to obtain such degrees, it is important to recognize that serving as a client's chiropractor at the same time as serving as his or her psychologist is inappropriate due to the type of touch needed for spinal manipulations. This use of touch would likely constitute a significant boundary violation, a topic that will be discussed in further detail later.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is "the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit" (National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy [NAHA], 2010). There are three different types of aromatherapy: clinical, holistic and aesthetic (Metcalfe, 1989). Clinical aromatherapy focuses on relieving symptoms that are typically addressed in psychotherapy, such as stress and anxiety. Holistic aromatherapy focuses on the whole person, aiming to improve overall well-being and quality of life. Aesthetic aromatherapy, also termed nonclinical aromatherapy, uses aromatic essences in various oils and creams that are traditionally used in skin care (Metcalfe, 1989).

Using various scents and oils for therapeutic purposes has been in existence for thousands of years. In recent years, research finds that aromatherapy can help treat pain, anxiety and agitation specific to dementia (Han, Hur, Buckle, Choi, & Lee, 2006; Lehrner, Marwinski, Lehr, Johren, & Deecke, 2005; Lin, Chan, Ng, & Lam, 2007). Aromatherapy can be integrated into ongoing practice, and while certification is not required, it is recommended. Several organizations, such as the NAHA, offer certification to become a registered aromatherapist. There are risks associated with aromatherapy use related to toxicity, skin irritation and dosing regulations that competent professionals will want to be aware of.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy is a manual procedure that involves manipulating the body's soft tissue as a way to relieve tension and pain as well as anxiety and depression (Moyer, Rounds, & Hannum, 2004; Rich, 2002). Massage therapists use their hands, fingers and sometimes their forearms or feet as a way to "relieve pain, rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression, and aid general wellness" (NCCAM, 2011b). There are several different types of massage, each utilizing slightly different techniques. For example, Swedish massage, the most commonly used form of massage in the United States, involves "a combination of long strokes, kneading motion and friction on the layers of muscle just beneath the skin" (DCIM, 2006, p. 469). Other well-known forms of massage include sports massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point massage (NCCAM, 2011b). In 2007, 8.3 percent of adults were reported to have used massage therapy in the past year (Barnes et al., 2008).

The use of massage has been studied for its effectiveness in treating various psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and stress, and thus it may be relevant for integration into some clients' treatment. However, even if the psychologist is appropriately trained, this integration must be done by referral to qualified massage therapists, due to boundary concerns mentioned previously.

The regulations for practicing massage vary from state to state. Presently, there are 43 states that regulate massage therapy, but national certification can be obtained through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Yoga

Yoga incorporates several techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, sustained concentration, and physical postures, which work to increase strength and flexibility (Khalsa, Shorter, Cope, Wyshak, & Sklar, 2009). A main focus of yoga is to relax the client while working to "balance the mind, body and the spirit" (NCCAM, 2011f). 

There are many different types of yoga such as Hatha, Ananda, Anusara, Bikram, Kundalini, and Viniyoga. Yoga has been increasingly studied of late, and it has been shown to be effective at treating numerous symptoms including anxiety, depression and chronic pain (Harner, Hanlon, & Garfinkel, 2010; Mehta & Sharma, 2010; Sherman, Cherkin, Erro, Miglioretti, & Deyo, 2006). With such a wide range of uses, it is not surprising that in 2007, 6.1 percent of adults indicated that they had practiced a form of yoga in the preceding year (Barnes et al., 2008).

Since yoga does not require any physical manipulation of the client by the psychologist, it is an area that may be integrated into ongoing treatment, as appropriately trained psychologists may choose to begin a session by utilizing various poses to promote relaxation. Also, clients who might benefit from yoga in addition to their ongoing psychological treatment may be referred to qualified yoga practitioners. As with many other CAM modalities, certification is required to practice yoga, but the certification process is not standardized.

Progressive muscle relaxation

Through this technique, the client learns to sequentially tense and relax muscle groups to promote greater relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation, or PMR, is often beneficial for clients experiencing anxiety, tension or stress-related symptoms. However, even though PMR has been accepted and integrated into psychologists' practices for years, results of an NIH study showed that only 2.9 percent of adults had used PMR in the prior year (Barnes et al., 2008).

PMR requires significant effort and outside time-commitment by the client. The technique should not be viewed as a simple solution to stress reduction, and it is important that clients are aware that their success with PMR is highly dependent on the effort that they put into learning the process and practicing in between treatment sessions (Lehrer & Woolfolk, 1993). Psychologists may want to take clients through various PMR exercises during a psychotherapy session followed by offering them a recording of a relaxation sequence that can then be used outside of psychotherapy. PMR is one area of CAM that psychologists can effectively integrate into their practices with minimal training.

Spirituality, religion and prayer

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey found that 56 percent of those surveyed indicated that religion was very important to them while 26 percent reported that it was somewhat important to them (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2008).

Spirituality and religion are two separate entities: Spirituality tends to be more personalized, while religion is often more formally organized. Clients may identify themselves as only spiritual or only religious, neither or both. Spirituality, religion and prayer are three areas that have been difficult to study. Some studies, however, have shown that they have been commonly involved in the treatment of addiction, depression and the symptoms of trauma (Cook, 2004; Nasser & Overholser, 2005; Vis & Boynton, 2008).

Spirituality, religion and prayer can all be integrated in psychologists' ongoing practice, and technically no certification is required to do so, but the psychologist will want to be competent about the religion or faith-based practices being used. Psychologists will also want to be aware that practicing a particular faith does not make one competent to utilize it into their psychotherapy practice. While spirituality, religion and prayer can be a part of ongoing practice, psychologists should not exceed their clinical roles and take on the role of clergy. Clinicians who are interested in integrating spirituality, religion or prayer into an ongoing practice will want to first obtain the education and training necessary to ensure their clinical competence.

Movement therapy

Movement therapy is the "psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote [the] emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of individuals" (American Dance Therapy Association [ADTA], 2009b). Often referred to as dance/movement therapy (DMT), it focuses on "movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship" (ADTA, 2009b). A goal of DMT is to use the body's movement as a way of expressing the unconscious (Levy, 1988). Dance/movement therapists believe that the mind and the body do not function separately and that by focusing on the body, one should be able to affect his or her mind and therefore relieve a variety of symptoms (Levy, 1995).

More research is needed to support and guide the use of DMT. However, the ADTA has reported some support for using the therapy to help treat a variety of symptoms such as those associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, depression and a variety of physical disabilities, as well as to promote overall well-being (ADTA, 2009a). DMT is one of the lesser-known CAM modalities, with only 1.5 percent of adults reporting that they had used the therapy in the previous year (Barnes et al., 2008). Certification is required to practice DMT and it requires a graduate degree from an ADTA-approved program.

Acupuncture

This technique to improve health and functioning "through stimulation of specific points on the body" has been used for thousands of years (NCCAM, 2011a). Barnes et al. (2008) reported that 1.4 percent of adults said they have used acupuncture in the preceding year.

Typically, acupuncture involves penetrating the skin with needles, which are then manipulated by the acupuncturist's hands or by a form of electrical stimulation (NCCAM, 2011a). The needles are inserted into specific locations on the body as a way of balancing "the flow of life energy," also known as qi (pronounced "chee"). Acupuncture has been shown to be effective at relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as migraines and other forms of chronic pain (Furlan et al., 2010; Roschke et al., 2000).

Certification is required to practice acupuncture, and only physicians who have completed additional training, acupuncturists and doctors of oriental medicine can practice acupuncture. Some states require licensure to practice acupuncture, while others require certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in addition to licensure. Psychologists, even if certified, should not serve as a client's acupuncturist as well as his or her psychotherapist since acupuncture often involves the client removing articles of clothing, a clear boundary violation. Also, in some states, it is illegal for psychologists to provide any forms of treatment that involve piercing of the skin.

Reiki

The term Reiki means "spiritually guided life force energy" (International Center for Reiki Training, 2011). Reiki involves the passing of energy from a trained Reiki practitioner's body to the client's body as a method of healing. The client can remain fully clothed, as it is believed that the Reiki energy can easily pass through clothing or other objects (Plodek, 2009). The Reiki practitioner utilizes a series of established hand positions as a means for allowing the energy to move freely between the bodies.

Only 0.5 percent of the population report using Reiki (Barnes et al., 2008), and there is little research on its efficacy. Despite this, Reiki has been shown to help with stress and pain management, as well as to promote relaxation (Bowden, Goddard, & Gruzelier, 2010; Olson, Hanson, & Michaud, 2003).

Certification is required to practice Reiki. Referrals should be made for Reiki services, as opposed to integrating them into ongoing practice, as the hand positions will likely cross psychologists' ethical boundaries: Even though there is no direct contact, the clinician's hands are placed very close to the client's body.

Biofeedback

This technique uses electrical sensors to provide information to a client that can help him or her improve health and/or performance (Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback [AAPB], 2008). The three most common forms of biofeedback are electromyography (EMG), which focuses on muscle tension; thermal biofeedback, which focuses on skin temperature; and neurofeedback, or electroencephalography (EEG), which focuses on brain activity (Ehrlich, 2009). A fourth form of biofeedback, heart-rate variability (HRV), is becoming increasingly popular and is growing in use.

Biofeedback has been shown to be effective in the treatment of ADHD, pain, depression and headaches, among other symptoms (Fuchs, Birbaumer, Lutzenberger, Gruzelier, & Kaiser, 2003; Hawkins & Hart, 2003; Karavidas et al., 2007; Nestoriuc, Martin, Rief, & Andrasik, 2008). It is reported that 0.2 percent of adults use biofeedback (Barnes et al., 2008). The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback reports having more than 2,000 professional members (AAPB, 2008), and the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance reports having approximately 1,600 certified members (Judy Crawford, personal communication, Feb. 20, 2012).

Biofeedback is an area of CAM that can be integrated into ongoing treatment with relative ease by appropriately trained psychologists using biofeedback equipment. While formal certification is not required, it can be obtained through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA), "the certification body for the clinical practice of biofeedback" (BCIA, 2011).

Hypnosis

The Society of Psychological Hypnosis defines hypnosis as a process by which "one person (the subject) is guided by another (the hypnotist) to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior" (Green, Barabasz, Barrett, & Montgomery, 2005).

Only 0.2 percent of people use hypnosis (Barnes et al., 2008). In fact, when many people hear the term hypnosis, they think entertainment, not health care. As a result, psychologists will want to educate clients about the utility of hypnosis, which is commonly used to treat pain and fatigue, as well as nausea and vomiting that occur as a side effect of cancer treatments (Castel, Salvat, Sala, & Rull, 2009; Jensen et al., 2011; Montgomery et al., 2001).

Hypnosis can be integrated into ongoing practice and one may obtain certification, although this is not standardized. Several organizations offer certification, with one of the most well-known being the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), which offers entry-level and advanced-level certifications (ASCH, 2011).

Music therapy

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as "an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals" (AMTA, 2011a). Music therapy involves singing, writing music, making music, listening to music and lyric analysis, among many other techniques (AMTA, 2011b). 

Music is not what affects the therapeutic process. Rather, the focus is on helping clients to explore their thoughts and feelings through the use of a music intervention. Music therapy is a multidimensional approach that focuses on a variety of "facets — physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic and spiritual" as a means to improve health (Boyer College of Music and Dance, 2011).

Some evidence supports music therapy's use in reducing anxiety, depression and pain, although the literature is limited (Castillo-Pérez, Gómez-Pérez, Calvillo Velasco, Pérez-Campos, & Mayoral, 2010; Lin, Hsieh, Hsu, Fetzer, & Hsu, 2011). Music therapy may be ethically and appropriately integrated into ongoing psychological treatment by appropriately trained psychologists. Certification is required and can be obtained after earning a graduate or undergraduate degree from an AMTA-approved program, plus 1,200 hours of supervised music therapy experience. Additionally, there is a written exam required to become board certified as a music therapist (AMTA, 2011a).

Why CAM is important to psychologists

Psychologists are uniquely positioned to educate clients about CAM, to monitor their use of CAM, to communicate with primary-care physicians, and, if possessing the needed competence, to make crucial decisions about when CAM may be appropriate to include in a client's treatment. Recognizing when it is appropriate to integrate a specific modality into a client's psychological treatment as opposed to making a referral to a CAM practitioner, and knowing how to do this effectively are essential components of each psychologist's competence.

Elkins, Marcus, Rajab, and Durgam (2005) assessed CAM use among 262 people who were currently in psychotherapy. They found that 65 percent of respondents indicated that they had used at least one form of CAM in the past year. This finding specifically highlights the relevance of CAM in psychological practice because even if professional psychologists are not the ones presenting the modalities as treatment options, many of their clients are likely to be independently utilizing them. This further emphasizes that to provide the highest quality of care, psychologists will find it important to be educated on various forms of treatment, both those that many clients may already be using when they enter a psychologist's care and those that may be additionally beneficial to them. Also, psychologists must be aware of when clients should or should not continue with a CAM modality that has been previously implemented. Thus, psychologists must remain educated and up-to-date on the field of CAM as well as the various modalities and their diverse uses.

CAM is also relevant to psychologists and the care that they provide to their clients in the context of evidence-based practice in psychology (APA, 2005), described as "the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences." The emphasis on the consideration of "patient characteristics, culture and preferences" when selecting treatment strategies and techniques is directly relevant to earlier reported data on societal trends toward health promotion, wellness and spirituality, as well as the data on how many Americans are now seeking out CAM treatments. The emphasis on "the best available research" highlights the need for psychologists to focus their research efforts on the many uses of CAM to create an expanded knowledge base about CAM, its uses and its limitations. The emphasis on "clinical expertise" makes clear the need for psychologists to develop competence regarding CAM so that it may be appropriately applied to meet clients' ongoing needs.

All above information is retrieved from American Psychological Association (APA) http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/04/ce-corner.aspx