Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

What is EFT?

EFT, also known as tapping, is a relaxation technique that adds a more unique therapeutic dimension and compliments other conventional therapies.

EFT focuses on the body’s energy system and is a process that has become known as energy psychology. It combines talking therapies with techniques associated with natural energy processes, such as acupuncture and Shiatsu/Reiki.

EFT involves tapping on the acupressure/meridian points, whilst simultaneously reframing thought and language patterns to foster cognitive shifts by verbalising the issue that you want to change. EFT rapidly decreases feelings of anxiety and stress and promotes feelings of relaxation, calm and peace.

EFT for Stress and Anxiety

Just one hour of EFT Tapping results in a significant decrease in the stress hormone cortisol. The decrease in cortisol promotes feelings of relaxation and calm. EFT helps people to reframe situations causing stress and anxiety and view them in a more rational and logical light.

EFT for PTSD and Trauma

After the 6 weeks of EFT tapping, 90% of participants who received EFT no longer met criteria for PTSD. EFT works by taking the hurt and pain out of trauma and traumatic events. Whilst the memory of the event will still be there, the way you feel about it will be different. EFT takes you out of the past and brings you back to the present.

What can I expect during an EFT Session?

During an EFT session you may work through one issue or a number of issues. EFT involves acknowledging the issue or concern, rating how much it is bothering you and tapping on specific acupressure points whilst focusing on the issue and how it is affecting you. As the cognitive shifts occur, the content of the sessions will become more positively focused.

Sessions will start by identifying the issue and how it has been affecting you, followed by the tapping process. As more “tapping rounds” are completed, the issue will be re-scaled and you will be asked what has changed and how you feel in relation to the issue now. I will guide you throughout the session with the tapping and the vocalisation of the issue. EFT rounds and the subsequent improvements will be built on round-by round and session by session, so the content is always changing and flowing with your thoughts and feelings. EFT works best when you are specific about the issue and your thoughts/feelings about it.

When EFT is used for trauma, generally one full session is reserved to focus specifically on healing one traumatic event.

EFT sessions may also involve some meditation and deep breathing, as well as other therapeutic change work techniques.