Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT or tapping is a simple and effective body-centered modality for working through physical and emotional issues, but what is the thinking behind it and what happens in a session?

EFT (emotional freedom technique or tapping) is a technique which helps create balance in your energy system. Created by Garry Craig in the 70s, it combines neurolinguistic programming (NLP) with the concept of meridian lines rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and practises like acupuncture. For this reason, some people describe EFT as acupuncture without the needles.

What are meridian lines?

Meridian lines are thought to run through the body at an energetic level connecting all parts of the body. This thinking is what palmistry, reflexology, acupressure (like massage) and acupuncture are rooted in. Energy (qi in TCM or prana in ayurveda) flows through the meridian lines of the body when we are in optimum health.

What happens when energy doesn’t flow?

Energy gets stuck from flowing when we don’t process emotions, through the body - verbally, through movement or any other kind of emotional release, crying for example – these blockages can cause mental and physical issues. Tapping is one way of helping to access the stuck emotions, bring them to the light and processing them safely, quickly and easily. The combination of talking about the matter at hand, means we also begin to create new neural pathways as we tap the acupressure points, by affirming new beliefs which are supportive.

Western adoption of the concept behind EFT

Western authors, medical and psychological practitioners (Bessel Van Der Kolk, Peter Levine, Gabor Mate, Stephen Porges)* now postulate what ancient Eastern wisdom has known for centuries, that the body stores the effect of what happens to us and the emotion we experience at the time.

When we experience challenging or traumatic events, if we aren’t given the opportunity to process the emotion, the body stores it with detrimental effects, like hypervigilance which impacts our ability to regulate ourselves and be proportionate in our perception of what is threatening and what is not. These effects serve to protect us from experiencing similar traumatic events in future, but can also leave us unconsciously stuck in survival mode and have negative physiological and psychological effects.

Whereas indigenous peoples often had (and have) rituals for processing trauma, transitions and big life events, it was part of the process of colonisation (seeing these processes as uncivilised) to stamp them out. However, regulation of the nervous system through movement and group ritual and practises is powerful and nervous system informed. This is part of the reason for Hush Club, where we practise nervous system regulation in a group setting.

What about the science behind EFT?

Many small randomized control trials show promising results for EFT in the treatment of fear/phobias, anxiety, stress management, and emotional regulation. More research is needed. You can read some of the studies conducted on EFT so far here. In the last decade of clinical trials, it appears that tapping on or stimulating acupressure points on the body can change DNA expression, can radically reduce the stress hormone cortisol and can even change your brain's pathways. You might also enjoy watching this TEDx Talk by Dr. Peta Stapleton, who has led the Australian research into EFT being used to treat conditions including chronic pain, obesity, anxiety and stress.

Can I do EFT myself or do I need to work with a trained practitioner?

EFT is very simple to learn and practise using free online resources if you already have a reasonable level of self-awareness. However, an initial session with a practitioner to learn the technique can be very helpful. You will likely find working with a practitioner gets to the heart of the issue more rapidly. For a specific issue that you’re finding hard to shift or aren’t clear on, I would recommend working with a practitioner. Noticing changes in a single session is extremely common, though for more persistent or long standing issues, a series of sessions could be necessary. Either way, after one session you will notice shifts in your experience.

What happens in an EFT session?

An EFT session is built around a repeated series of gentle taps made with your fingers on acupressure points on the face, upper body and hands. You will tap on points of the body’s meridian system whilst verbally tuning into a thought, emotion, belief or memory (other therapists may tap for you if in person - I have a strict “no touch” policy). The combination of physical and verbal actions accesses the amygdala - an almond shaped part of your brain which initiates your body's negative reaction to fear. Using EFT sends signals to the amygdala to stand down and relax, releasing the stress of the particular issue from your body, leaving you feeling calmer, with greater clarity and understanding about the situation or issue presented.

What kind of issues can EFT help with?

EFT can be used with most issues you could list because whether you’re experiencing a challenge related to physical or mental/emotional health, there will undoubtedly be stress attached to the issue, which exacerbates it. This is exactly what EFT helps to relieve and process, so that you come away from a session having resized the issue, gaining understanding, clarity and a sense of lightness and possibility.

Specific issues EFT can help with:

Phobias

Addictions
Negative core beliefs
Relationship issues
Allergies
Birth traumas
Specific traumas
Self esteem
Anger
Depression
Insomnia

For these or any other issues, get in touch at the form below to discuss.

What previous clients have said about EFT

“I was feeling stuck, disempowered, lacking confidence in my ideas and lacking clarity on which paths to take. The EFT was very powerful in unearthing and releasing a lot of my blocks and frustrations. Her patient and compassionate delivery was wonderful and super intuitive. I was surprised by the direction that this took me in.”
- Ruth Lawson

If you’re interested in giving EFT a try, fill out the form here to enquire about a session

What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?