Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
What are Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)?
The Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT (also known as Tapping), was developed by Gary Craig through simplifying Dr. Roger Callahan’s Thought Field Therapy (TFT). It’s a mindful stress-reduction technique using elements of cognitive therapy that stimulates the acupuncture points to gently release strong and often blocked emotions from the body’s energy system as well as physical pain and induce regulated states of lightness and calm.
This simple technique involves focusing on an issue with an acceptance statement while gently tapping two fingers on specific acupuncture points on the head and upper body. We can tap on a wide range of issues, literally most things, with clients often reporting quick relief and cognitive shifts in understanding that are healing, empowering and freeing.
EFT in Practice
- I integrate EFT into my practice and along with Matrix Reimprinting and Matrix Birth Reimprinting, also offer it as a ‘stand-alone’ therapy where we will identify what you would like to address or achieve, then identify the blocks, fears, and any unhelpful beliefs that are holding you back and take it from there…
- As a wellbeing tool, I will show you the basics of the technique so you can use it at home as an emotional first aid kit along with additional resources. Once learned, this is a skill for life, always available in times of stress, or as a general pick-me-up.
- As a trauma therapy, we will use specific protocols for the safe processing of your experience. Even if you are unable to access explicit memory, we can still release what is implicitly held in your body.
- We will tap together, or, with your permission, I can also tap on you giving you the freedom to focus on yourself. How ever we tap, you will always be in control of your process, going at your pace and drawing on your own wisdom.
- I may offer you some ‘tapping homework’ between sessions
What Does EFT Help With?
Including but not limited to:
- Stress
- Trauma
- PTSD
- Anxiety and panic
- Anger and depression
- Fears and phobias
- Obsessive thoughts
- Addiction
- Physical issues
- Limiting beliefs
- General wellbeing; feeling calmer, lighter, more positive
- Enhancing creativity and inspiration
- Manifesting what you want in life
As a result, you will feel calmer, more regulated, and see improvements in your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Whatever the trauma, it will no longer have the same emotional charge it did, and you should hopefully see a transformation of any core issues and negative beliefs that were holding you back.
An Evidence-Based Therapy – How Does EFT Work?
Research shows that EFT calms and deactivates the amygdala (the smoke alarm that activates the nervous system into survival responses) and hippocampus (memory centre) so that we can process and integrate our experience. It lowers the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, while stimulating the vagus nerve (the ventral vagal branch of the parasympathetic nervous system), inducing relaxation and calm.
Hundreds of studies including randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses have now been conducted across a wide range of clinical settings, the results showing the efficacy of EFT across a wide range of issues including phobias, anxiety and depression, PTSD, chronic pain and more…
“Research on gene expression indicates EFT has the ability to down regulate genes associated with the stress response, and up-regulate or improve immune functioning.”
Dr Peta Stapleton.
For further information please see the following:
Evidence-based EFT
EFT International – Science and Research Behind EFT Tapping
EFT Universe – EFT Research
PTSDUK – Efficacy of EFT
Useful Reading
A Practical Guide to EFT – Judy Byrne.
The Tapping Solution – Nick Ortner.
The Science of Tapping – Peta Stapleton.
I also highly recommend The Tapping Solution App.