ThetaHealing (also Theta Healing) is the registered trademark for a method of meditation created by Vianna Stibal in 1995.[1][2] ThetaHealing claims to change a practitioner's brain wave pattern to the theta pattern, allowing them to explore how "emotional energy" affects their health, and develop "natural intuition".[3][4]
ThetaHealing is a pseudoscientific practice and is therefore criticized for its esoteric approach to meditation.[1][5][6] ThetaHealing has made false and unsubstantiated health claims about curing cancer.[1][7]
Meditation Process
Vianna Stibal – creator of ThetaHealing (2015)
ThetaHealing is usually administered in the form of individual sessions in which the practitioner sits directly opposite the person, and initially attends to the person by listening and using probing questions. They may conduct a session long-distance through telephone or over the internet via webcam and voice.[8][9] The ThetaHealing technique is based on the idea that the beliefs in a person's conscious and unconscious mind directly impact their emotional well-being, which may impact their physical health.[10][11][12]
Philosophy
ThetaHealing's philosophy is what Vianna Stibal, an American naturopath, calls "the seven planes of existence". According to her, these levels of existence build a framework to show the importance of the "Creator of all that is” (whose upper level is also described as the "Place of perfect love"). In addition, practitioners and instructors of the technique are open to everyone, regardless of the person's origin or religion.[13][14]
The Theta Healing technique, according to founder Vianna Stibal, is always taught to be used in conjunction with conventional medicine.[15]
Criticism
The philosophy of ThetaHealing has been criticized due to its esoteric and faith-based nature as well as an overwhelming lack of evidence of the effectiveness of the methods.[16] The ThetaHealing method has also been criticized as "criminal" and "not supported by any kind of evidence" by Edzard Ernst.[7] The McGill University Office for Science and Society pointed out that ThetaHealing did not increase theta wave activity, but that "It did the exact opposite. Theta activity overall went down".[1]
ThetaHealing often employs the method of applied kinesiology, after putting patients into a deep meditation. Even the practice of applied kinesiology has been highly criticized and studies have shown that it lacks clinical value.[17]
ThetaHealing also has been widely criticized, notably by Jonathan Jarry at the Office for Science and Society, as being motivated by money rather than wellness. In order to enroll in a ThetaHealing course that teaches how "money is an illusion", enrollees must pay $750.00. Other ThetaHealing courses include classes which teach how to "activate the 12 strands of DNA within each participant", despite the fact that DNA is not separated into 12 strands.[18]
^Schwartz, S., Utts, J., Spottiswoode, S., Shade, C., Tully, L., Morris, W., & Nachman, G. (2014). A Double-Blind, Randomized Study to Assess the Validity of Applied Kinesiology (AK) as a Diagnostic Tool and as a Nonlocal Proximity Effect. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 10(2), 99-108.
