Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

In a Nutshell

Identify the Emotional Trigger

Apply Gentle Tapping Sequence

Release Mental and Emotional Blockages

How Tapping Works -

Going Deeper

Background

Also known as tapping, EFT is a stress management tools that combines principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. It was developed by Gary Craig in 1995 and was an extension of Thought Field Therapy (TFT), created by psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan. Craig was a Stanford-educated engineer and performance coach and developed a tapping protocol which he shared as a gift in his training videos The EFT Course and his guide, The EFT Manual (Craig, 2011). Craig’s protocol has become the best-known tapping method and is the format that has been used in hundreds of peer reviewed published studies.

How It Works

Tapping is sometimes referred to as “psychological acupuncture” where the individual uses their fingers to tap on acupressure points while repeating cognitive statements (Stapleton, 2019, p. 245). The targeted statements focus attention on troubling thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that the person wishes to address. Studies show that using the standard pattern of Clinical EFT reduces activity in the amygdala and significantly lowers cortisol (Stapleton, Crighton, Sabot, & O’Neill, 2020). In addition it is believed that tapping on the specified points calms the limbic or emotion system and has an effect on the hippocampus or memory centre, reprogramming the emotional response to troubling memories (Ortner, 2013).

Who Can It Help?

EFT Tapping is effective for a variety of emotional challenges, including chronic anxiety, depression, perfectionism, phobias, and trauma. Multiple studies have demonstrated exciting improvements for patients with PTSD due to EFT’s “ability to efficiently pair a neutral or even calming response with a traumatic memory” (Stapleton, 2019, p. 74). Gains tend to be maintained over time, even three and six months later, indicating that there is real change in brain function.

*While tapping is very gentle and generally safe to use between sessions, traumatic issues should only be addressed with a skilled counsellor or practitioner.

My Training

I completed my EFT training with supervising practitioners who worked directly with Gary Craig and I follow the Clinical EFT protocols he developed. I am certified as an EFT Master Practitioner with the Association of EFT Practitioners (AEFTP).

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References

Craig, G. (2011). The EFT Manual. 2nd ed. Energy Psychology Press.
Ortner, N. (2013). The tapping solution: A revolutionary system for stress-free living. Hay House, Inc.
Stapleton, P. (2019). The science behind tapping: A proven stress management technique for the mind & body. Hay House, Inc.
Stapleton, P., Crighton, G., Sabot, D., & O'Neill, H.(2020). Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(8), 869–877. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000563

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