RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Biofield energy healing involves controversial concepts, and although numerous controlled trials have evaluated the effects, little attention has been paid to the phenomenon from the perspective of the therapists themselves. DESIGN: Qualitative research. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Large Midwest metropolitan area. Interviews were generally conducted in the therapists' place of business. SUBJECTS: Experienced biofield energy therapists from several different disciplines. INTERVENTIONS: In-depth semistructured interviews, tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, videotapes of demonstrations. OUTCOME MEASURES: We used a grounded theory approach to uncover relevant dimensions and themes related to the process of biofield energy healing. RESULTS: Major overall themes related to the "nature of energy" and the "healer-client relationship." Seven dimensions of the nature of energy include sources of energy, entities with energy, human energy anatomy, descriptions of energy, movement of energy, action of energy, and perception of energy. The dimensions build on one another to describe an energetic world view. The other major theme, the healer-client relationship, contains the central concept of healing facilitation as the goal of the experience. Compatibility and collaboration are critical to that process, as are creating a sense of trust and adhering to ethical standards. Communication underpins the whole process. CONCLUSIONS: The biofield energy therapists share a common energetic world view, wherein they must surrender to a universal energy while simultaneously creating a therapeutic alliance with the client who is also an active agent in healing process. This understanding has the potential to alter our assumptions about research design in biofield energy healing.