FAQ's

The Splankna Institute offers training and certification for Christians who are passionate about seeing hearts healed. Splankna work has applications in prayer ministry, counseling, coaching, health and wellness and even evangelism. It offers a Biblically based, mind-body prayer protocol for promoting change. “Splankna” is New Testament Greek for “bowels” or "guts." In first century poetry and literature, the term was used the way we use the word “subconscious” today…like a “gut sense,” or “deep knowing.” Splankna work taps into the “deep,” subconscious root of symptoms.

Splankna work combines body, soul, and spirit in concert to resolve emotional trauma. When all three elements of the person are working together, the change is deep and lasting. Splankna attends to the way our bodies store emotions like frequencies. A simple combination of “touch and thought” allows the body to release these stored emotions, thus attending to the body and soul. When the stored trauma emotions behind a symptom are relieved, Splankna helps the client understand and remove the destructive vows and lies associated with those traumas. Through Biblical elements of confession, repentance, and the authority of Jesus, we “break agreement” with symptoms on the ground level and things change. Body, Soul, and Spirit. For a more in-depth explanation of how Splankna works, check out the explainer videos on the homepage and get your copy of the book: “Splankna; The Redemption of Energy Healing for the Kingdom of God.”

We all know what it’s like to feel stuck. So often our willpower is insufficient to overcome destructive emotional patterns. Splankna is a way to get straight to the root cause of these emotional patterns and unlock them at the frequency level. The conscious mind doesn’t choose symptoms. Something deeper does. In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul describes how “the very thing I want to do, I don’t do. And the very thing I don’t want to do, is the thing I do!” His language for these two opposing seats of the will is, “the spirit man” and “the flesh.” Splankna is a way to bring the body and soul into agreement with what the Spirit man is choosing…life. Life in all its forms…strength, joy, freedom. At the Splankna Institute, we are accustomed to seeing God do really beautiful things.  People report new levels of emotional freedom, greater wellness, new depths in their relationship with God, and greater empowerment to step into calling. It’s a daily privilege for Splankna Practitioners to be a part of this unique and powerful work.

At the sub-atomic level of creation (the super small), everything is in motion. All the sub-atomic particles that makeup everything are buzzing. “Energy” is the word physicists use to describe the unknown cause of that movement. The study of the energetic level of creation is called sub-atomic, quantum or theoretical physics. It is sometimes distorted and thought of in new age terms, but if creation contains this energetic level, then God made it for his good purposes. This theoretical energy/frequency level explores how thoughts have substance and impact. It is important to remember that while God sustains all things, even at the energetic level, he could never be defined as “energy” any more than he could be called “an atom.” With that understood, the energetic level of creation provides a wonderful platform for promoting growth and change.

Muscle testing is based on the theory that any major muscle will respond to electrical shifts that go off in the body. All thoughts have a frequency on the sub-atomic level. So when I ask a question, the frequency of my meaning passes between us and it hits your body as a “match” or “mismatch.” When your body responds with congruence to an idea, it shifts your electrical system and that shift shows up in the muscle. For instance, if I asked whether the root emotion around a particular trauma is “anger,” if your own subconscious database is congruent with that idea (frequency), the muscle will respond as well (weak vs. strong). Because the body naturally responds to ideas this way, a muscle test can be used as a simple yes/no tool. Muscle testing is not a perfect tool, but still a useful one as long as it is covered by the authority of Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit.

It is similar, yes. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) utilizes bi-lateral brain stimulation to help loosen “stuck” emotional processes in the brain. Splankna does incorporate bi-lateral brain stimulation, similar to EMDR, and it goes even further. It also utilizes “direct access” emotional release at acupuncture points and algorithms adapted from TFT (Thought Field Therapy, or EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique). But the most important differentiator of Splankna work is the dependence on the lead of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer to “break agreement” with destructive emotional patterns.

Reiki is a treatment that uses the acupuncture/energy system to help resolve symptoms (typically physical). The practitioner learns to feel the body’s energy/frequencies with the hands and move them above the body, helping “stuck” areas flow properly again (similar to what acupuncture needles are doing). However, the practice of Reiki commonly utilizes spirit guides, symbols, remote work, and “attunement” initiations in order to manipulate a person’s energy. Sometimes these practices can, (knowingly or unknowingly) be done under the enemy’s direction rather than God’s. It is possible to do Reiki work within God’s design and leadership but unfortunately, most practitioners are not. Splankna does not incorporate elements from Reiki.

The Splankna protocol was developed by Sarah Thiessen. She is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University in Texas. Her background is in the Church of Christ. She authored the apologetic on this topic: “Splankna; The Redemption of Energy Healing for the Kingdom of God ” and co-authored “UpperDogs; Exploring Christianity on the Offense” with Heather Hughes, Splankna’s Executive Director (both books can be purchased at our bookstore). Splankna has been in development since 1998.

Yes! Visit our Search Certified Splankna Practitioners page to find one nearest you. If you don’t find anyone close to you, email [email protected]. Right now we have hundreds of active Practitioners around the country (and a few in Mexico, Australia, Uganda, Canada, Germany, and China) but not everyone is listed on the site’s database because they’re booked out too far to take new clients right now. But hang tight, we’re training new Practitioners all the time. Session fees will vary from $45-$150/hr depending on experience and licensure.

We invite everyone who believes in Jesus as Lord to be trained in Splankna. While Splankna does support emotional and physical change/growth, it is predominantly a prayer protocol rather than a psychological intervention. Currently, we are not approved by the NBCC to offer CEU’s to mental health professionals because we train non-licensed individuals. However, if you are a licensed mental health professional, we do offer the necessary form for you to turn in to your CEU body. Depending on the state and organization, some accept hours from our institute and some do not. The age limit for training is a minimum of 20 years.
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Yes. Different forms of mind-body work and prayer are done with non-Christians all over the world. That said, Splankna is unique in that it is deeply rooted in prayer and the lead of the Holy Spirit. During training, we discuss the different issues that arise in working with non-Christians.

You can find contact information for the Splankna staff on our Contact Us page. There you can reach them via email, or make a phone appointment.

For administrative questions and questions about becoming a Splankna Practitioner, contact Tiffany Sturms at [email protected] or 888-958-0730, ext “Registration.”

For clinical/supervision questions and information on Splankna Missions International, contact Heather Hughes at [email protected]  or 888-958-0730, ext “Supervision.”

For public relations contact Sarah Thiessen at [email protected].

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