Comments on: Book Review: No Open Wounds by Robert L. Bray Ph.D, LCSW, CTS, TFT-Adv http://www.bloggernews.net/121209 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:27:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Monica Pignotti http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1724804 Monica Pignotti Sat, 07 Aug 2010 01:53:14 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1724804 You obviously know nothing about me, Robert Arbuckle or whoever you actually are. First, learn to read. I was not "the reviewer" of this piece. The reviewer was Simon Barrett. Would you like to also call him a Scientology cultist for daring to criticize TFT? I simply left a comment. Second, I left and completely repudiated Scientology in 1976. It was not until over 20 years later, in 1997, that I got involved in TFT as a mental health professional and yes, as a clinician and, in fact for seven years was regarded by Roger Callahan as one of the top, most highly trained practitioners and trainers and I treated hundreds of clients. To bring up something I was involved with in my teens is a cheap shot that does not address my current criticisms of TFT. Your personal attacks on me do not in any way address the substance of the issues at hand, which is that TFT has no valid evidence to support its efficacy and there are many scientific psychologists who have never been anywhere near Scientology who completely agree with me on these points. And by the way, the "other cultish activity" I have been accused of being involved with is TFT, the therapy you defend. Currently I am known as a debunker of pseudoscience, which is the real reason people here are so upset with me for daring to criticize their sacred cows. I never suggested "suppressing" Bob Bray's opinions but rest assured I will continue to criticize his unsupported claims about TFT. You obviously know nothing about me, Robert Arbuckle or whoever you actually are.
First, learn to read. I was not “the reviewer” of this piece. The reviewer was Simon Barrett. Would you like to also call him a Scientology cultist for daring to criticize TFT? I simply left a comment. Second, I left and completely repudiated Scientology in 1976. It was not until over 20 years later, in 1997, that I got involved in TFT as a mental health professional and yes, as a clinician and, in fact for seven years was regarded by Roger Callahan as one of the top, most highly trained practitioners and trainers and I treated hundreds of clients.

To bring up something I was involved with in my teens is a cheap shot that does not address my current criticisms of TFT. Your personal attacks on me do not in any way address the substance of the issues at hand, which is that TFT has no valid evidence to support its efficacy and there are many scientific psychologists who have never been anywhere near Scientology who completely agree with me on these points. And by the way, the “other cultish activity” I have been accused of being involved with is TFT, the therapy you defend. Currently I am known as a debunker of pseudoscience, which is the real reason people here are so upset with me for daring to criticize their sacred cows. I never suggested “suppressing” Bob Bray’s opinions but rest assured I will continue to criticize his unsupported claims about TFT.

]]> By: Robert J. Arbuckle, M.D.,Ph.D., NSW http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1708096 Robert J. Arbuckle, M.D.,Ph.D., NSW Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:56:52 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1708096 Dr. Bray's book took the leap of thinking " out of the box " and is to be admired for at least thinking about the needs of patients in distress. I must strongly disagree with Monica Pignotti ( reviewer ), as he perception and history of being objective is tainted by her years in a Scientology Cult. Her knowledge of TFT and other forms of interventions are in question, as she is NOT a professional who evaluates or treats patients. He information suggests she is a social worker with huge biases and a problematic history of her own, so she cannot be seen as a professional reviewer. One must have qualifications as a Clinician, Educator at the higher level, and involved in assessment and treatment of the complex patient. The reviewer seems to still be involved in other cultish activities, given her affiliations and opinions in various forums. Having been a professor for over 30 years, one can tell an ill informed reviewer who has personal agendas and old baggage which colors an objective book review. We should be thankful for Bray's open opinions which Ms Pignotti wants to suppress. Dr. Bray’s book took the leap of thinking
” out of the box ” and is to be admired for at least thinking about the needs of patients in distress. I must strongly disagree with Monica Pignotti ( reviewer ), as he perception and history of being objective is tainted by her years in a Scientology Cult. Her knowledge of TFT and other forms of interventions are in question, as she is NOT a professional who evaluates or treats patients. He information suggests she is a social worker with huge biases and a problematic history of her own, so she cannot be seen as a professional reviewer. One must have qualifications as a Clinician, Educator at the higher level, and involved in assessment and treatment of the complex patient. The reviewer seems to still be involved in other cultish activities, given her affiliations and opinions in various forums. Having been a professor for over 30 years, one can tell an ill informed reviewer who has personal agendas and old baggage which colors an objective book review. We should be thankful for Bray’s open opinions which Ms Pignotti wants to suppress.

]]> By: Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1327110 Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:20:20 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1327110 My initial response to Jennifer appears not to have gone through, thus I am giving the URL that shows that I retracted the article she linked to that I authored. See: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109751024/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 Moreover, my association with Scientology, a group I joined as a 17 year old, was 33 years ago and is ancient history and I have been an outspoken critic of the group for years. If that sort of ad hominem is the only way she has to respond to my criticism of TFT, that speaks for itself. My initial response to Jennifer appears not to have gone through, thus I am giving the URL that shows that I retracted the article she linked to that I authored. See:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109751024/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Moreover, my association with Scientology, a group I joined as a 17 year old, was 33 years ago and is ancient history and I have been an outspoken critic of the group for years. If that sort of ad hominem is the only way she has to respond to my criticism of TFT, that speaks for itself.

]]> By: Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1326651 Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:28:05 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1326651 Since Jennifer chose to bring up the infamous non peer reviewed issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology on TFT, to set the record straight, here are links to some of the critical reviews that accompanied these non-peer reviewed articles: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011061/abstract http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011055/abstract Here's the abstract for psychologist John Kline's commentary on Callahan: "Callahan (2001) has offered a series of case reports in an effort to validate the rationale and methods of Thought Field Therapy (TFT). These case reports employ subjective ratings, that is, the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) rating scale as well as a gross measure of heart rate variability (HRV). My criticisms center around (a) inappropriately strong inferences given exclusive reliance on case reports, a potentially biased sample, and lack of appropriate controls; (b) misinterpretation of statistical artifact as systematic effect; (c) lack of systematic evaluation of HRV changes; and (d) erroneous interpretation of HRV. Callahan's article provides no evidence for the efficacy of TFT nor does it provide evidence for the credibility of TFT's rationale. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1187-1192, 2001." This is just one of five highly negative critiques which, by the way Jennifer, were by psychologists who never had any association with Scientology and yet strongly criticize TFT for the same reasons I do. As for Jennifer's claim that TFT helps returning troops, there is no evidence other than anecdotes that this is the case. Since Jennifer chose to bring up the infamous non peer reviewed issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology on TFT, to set the record straight, here are links to some of the critical reviews that accompanied these non-peer reviewed articles:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011061/abstract
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011055/abstract
Here’s the abstract for psychologist John Kline’s commentary on Callahan:
“Callahan (2001) has offered a series of case reports in an effort to validate the rationale and methods of Thought Field Therapy (TFT). These case reports employ subjective ratings, that is, the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) rating scale as well as a gross measure of heart rate variability (HRV). My criticisms center around (a) inappropriately strong inferences given exclusive reliance on case reports, a potentially biased sample, and lack of appropriate controls; (b) misinterpretation of statistical artifact as systematic effect; (c) lack of systematic evaluation of HRV changes; and (d) erroneous interpretation of HRV. Callahan’s article provides no evidence for the efficacy of TFT nor does it provide evidence for the credibility of TFT’s rationale. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1187-1192, 2001.”
This is just one of five highly negative critiques which, by the way Jennifer, were by psychologists who never had any association with Scientology and yet strongly criticize TFT for the same reasons I do.
As for Jennifer’s claim that TFT helps returning troops, there is no evidence other than anecdotes that this is the case.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1324978 Jennifer Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:31:32 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1324978 Monica is a former scientologist on a mission - AND they trained her well. Very surprising a University of Florida PHd would be so busy attacking alternative healing. Monica has gone from a proponent of TFT to an obsessed attacker. It looks like she has set up a lot of blogs with the sole purpose to attack the alternative healing arena. I found this on a search: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011059/abstract No Open Wounds by Dr. Robert Bray is a great book, and I am for anything that helps our returning troops. Monica is a former scientologist on a mission - AND they trained her well.

Very surprising a University of Florida PHd would be so busy attacking alternative healing.

Monica has gone from a proponent of TFT to an obsessed attacker. It looks like she has set up a lot of blogs with the sole purpose to attack the alternative healing arena.

I found this on a search:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/85011059/abstract

No Open Wounds by Dr. Robert Bray is a great book, and I am for anything that helps our returning troops.

]]> By: Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1307750 Monica Pignotti, MSW, PhD Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:18:42 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1307750 I think that the reviewer is taking a reasonable position, remaining open to actual evidence yet not simply believing that it works based on anecdotes and testimonials. I have to disagree with TFT proponent Herb Ayers that it is just "a matter of using the technique". "It works" is a loaded phrase. What is working? As the reviewer wisely pointed out, we cannot know from testimonials from people who deliver TFT whether the positive results are do to placebo or factors that could be involved other than anything specific to TFT. The only way to know that is through carefully designed controlled studies, not just to a "no treatment group", but studies that tap on sham points or tap in sequences other than those prescribed by Callahan. A controlled study I published in a peer reviewed journal on Callahan's TFT Voice Technology showed that his claims of a precise technology were not supported. It seems that the extraordinary claims being made about TFT are not supported by evidence and the burden of proof is on the claimants. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. I think that the reviewer is taking a reasonable position, remaining open to actual evidence yet not simply believing that it works based on anecdotes and testimonials. I have to disagree with TFT proponent Herb Ayers that it is just “a matter of using the technique”. “It works” is a loaded phrase. What is working? As the reviewer wisely pointed out, we cannot know from testimonials from people who deliver TFT whether the positive results are do to placebo or factors that could be involved other than anything specific to TFT. The only way to know that is through carefully designed controlled studies, not just to a “no treatment group”, but studies that tap on sham points or tap in sequences other than those prescribed by Callahan. A controlled study I published in a peer reviewed journal on Callahan’s TFT Voice Technology showed that his claims of a precise technology were not supported. It seems that the extraordinary claims being made about TFT are not supported by evidence and the burden of proof is on the claimants. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

]]> By: drbrucer http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1289356 drbrucer Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:15:54 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1289356 I have just finished reading Dr. Bray's new book, "No Open Wounds, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW". Finsihed it in one sitting, matter of fact. My wife, Dr. Dariah Morgan and I, teach Thought Field Therapy workshops and while we have not done the extensive work with trauma victims attributable to Dr. Bray, we have indeed seen miraculous relief in many traumatic situations. Thought Field Therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that either works or it doesn't. In 30 years, there has been no known harm done using its tapping algorithms. Dr. Roger Callashan, its discoverer and developer, works to this day refining and improving its efficacy. Dr. Bray represents himself and Dr. Callahan well in his book and offers all of us simple and easy-to-understand relief from our terrors for the pittance of $20! Bruce Paton, PhD TFTdx, TFT Adv I have just finished reading Dr. Bray’s new book, “No Open Wounds, Heal Traumatic Stress NOW”. Finsihed it in one sitting, matter of fact. My wife, Dr. Dariah Morgan and I, teach Thought Field Therapy workshops and while we have not done the extensive work with trauma victims attributable to Dr. Bray, we have indeed seen miraculous relief in many traumatic situations. Thought Field Therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that either works or it doesn’t. In 30 years, there has been no known harm done using its tapping algorithms. Dr. Roger Callashan, its discoverer and developer, works to this day refining and improving its efficacy. Dr. Bray represents himself and Dr. Callahan well in his book and offers all of us simple and easy-to-understand relief from our terrors for the pittance of $20!

Bruce Paton, PhD
TFTdx, TFT Adv

]]> By: HERB AYERS http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1287087 HERB AYERS Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:41:12 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121209#comment-1287087 I believe the reviewer of "No Open Wounds" is trying to be fair in keeping an open mind about the effectiveness of Thought Field Therapy. I believe that is a legitimate approach to something like this. Moving off of "the fence" is just a matter of using the technique. It either works or it doesn't. I have used "TFT" with returning troops from war zones and have watched them alleviate their phobia of "IED's" (Improvised Explosive Devices) allowing them to calmly drive down the street of their hometown without panic at the objects on the curb. I have also witnessed a marked reduction in the need for anxiety and depression medication after using TFT. Does it cure everything? Of course not. But it does calm most people down so they can sleep well, interact with others well, focus well, and overcome negative emotions quickly and completely. I heartily recommend Dr. Bray's book. Herb Ayers, MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor TFT Dx I believe the reviewer of “No Open Wounds” is trying to be fair in keeping an open mind about the effectiveness of Thought Field Therapy. I believe that is a legitimate approach to something like this. Moving off of “the fence” is just a matter of using the technique. It either works or it doesn’t. I have used “TFT” with returning troops from war zones and have watched them alleviate their phobia of “IED’s” (Improvised Explosive Devices) allowing them to calmly drive down the street of their hometown without panic at the objects on the curb. I have also witnessed a marked reduction in the need for anxiety and depression medication after using TFT. Does it cure everything? Of course not. But it does calm most people down so they can sleep well, interact with others well, focus well, and overcome negative emotions quickly and completely. I heartily recommend Dr. Bray’s book.
Herb Ayers, MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor
TFT Dx

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