Operation: Emotional Freedom—The Answer

Eric Huurre's documentary examines a somewhat unconventional treatment of U.S. veterans who suffer from the lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Subjects attend a five-day retreat where they undergo multiple sessions of electronic freedom technique (EFT), also known as “energy psychology,” which the practitioners running the program insist can “rewire” the impairment created by PTSD using the innate energy within individuals to spur healing—an approach close in spirit (if not actual practice) to traditional Asian medicine. Along the way, the documentary also provides extensive interviews with the patients, their families, and EFT proponents to determine the level of progress achieved during these sessions, with comparisons to the military-coordinated medical and psychological treatments that have proved unsuccessful on the vets. While EFT has received a great deal of negative commentary in medical circles, Huurre's film offers a cogent example of its positive results. Operation: Emotional Freedom is sure to further the discussion, while also raising disturbing questions on the inadequacy of federal programs that are currently failing to provide returning American service personnel with appropriate mental health treatment. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)