EFT stands for "Emotional Freedom Techniques" and is often commonly referred to as "tapping" due to the fact that the techniques involve gentle tapping of the fingertips on the skin at certain points on the head, face and hands.
EFT is a form of acupressure combining modern psychology by focusing on an issue or negative emotion. These acupressure points are based on the same meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional problems for over 5,000 years, with the exception that there is no use of needles.
As a result of tapping on each of the meridians, an "energetic impulse" is transmitted along each of the meridians clearing the "short-circuiting" (emotional block) from your body's bio-energetic system restoring the mind and body to its natural state of balance.
EFT is most often used to reduce stress, anxiety and negative emotions. It is used to change self-limiting beliefs (eg. "I'm not good enough") and is effective in working with addictions and traumatic memories.
As a result of clearing negative emotional states, the result is often that of positive emotional states, desired goals and greater resiliency, health and wellbeing.
The popularity of EFT has grown since its inception in the 1990s. Scientific research continues to demonstrate its effectiveness for a wide variety of conditions including:-
- reducing physical pain,
- chronic health issues,
- stress,
- anxiety,
- depression,
- trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder),
- addictions,
- fears and phobias and more.
Over 100 scientific papers about EFT have been published in peer reviews medical and journals that include randomised controlled trials, outcome studies and review articles. These papers have been written by researchers from Stanford University, Purdue University, The University of Arizona, Bond University in Australia and Staffordshire University in the UK.
Dr Peta Stapleton has led the Australian research into Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or ‘tapping’, which is used to treat a number of conditions including chronic pain, obesity, anxiety and stress.
EFT and Self Help
EFT Tapping can be used as a self-help method and it is estimated that millions of people use this technique to self regulate their own stress and difficult emotions. EFT can be learned, especially from a certified experienced practitioner, for the best results and then used to work with for everyday stress as well as longer-standing issues.
For more severe circumstances or health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, depression, addictions or physical health issues it is strongly recommended to work with an experienced EFT practitioner. It is still important to consult with your doctor and or a qualified mental health practitioner.
Working with an EFT Practitioner
Before working with an EFT practitioner it is important to find one who is fully certified and accredited through a rigorous certification program. EFT International has a worldwide reputation as requiring a standard of excellence from its students and practitioners. To find an EFT certified and accredited practitioner with EFT International go to- https://eftinternational.org/discover-eft-tapping/find-eft-practitioners/
Why Work With An EFT Practitioner?
When EFT is utilised with a practitioner, a therapeutic relationship is formed, to assist a client to either work with general or specific issues. An experienced practitioner will be able to help their client see the "wood from the trees" and often even those aspects that are not obvious to a client. A practitioner can save a client a great deal of time by getting to the root of the issue quickly and clear it effectively, leaving the client free from the emotional pain of that issue completely.
A practitioner can enable a client to clear an emotional event without even having to talk about it or go into any details of the event which avoids re-traumatising the client. This is in stark contrast to "talk therapies". I'm often told by clients how emotionally draining and traumatising it is to re-live their past trauma's in the therapeutic setting without resolution.
A practitioner can if experienced and mindful hold a client in a safe space for healing, much like having a "safety net" of support.
A practitioner can help a client gain greater confidence and self-worth and help them reach personal goals which can be much more difficult than navigating this alone.
As the field of EFT is so vast most practitioners choose to specialise in a certain field, depending on their particular interest and expertise. As a result of many years specialising in family and care law, I wanted to continue to deal with anxiety, stress, trauma, PTSD, depression and addictions which were common aspects in my already existing field.
Working with a practitioner can result in a rapid resolution of many issues. Repeated studies show that working with EFT people can experience the benefits of standard psychotherapy (talk therapy) a much shorter time frame sometimes months or even a few sessions.
It is widely accepted that severe emotional pain takes a long time to heal. EFT therapy shows that the mind, in fact, can heal itself from psychological trauma in much the same way as the body recovers from physical trauma.
The brain's marvellous information processing system naturally moves towards healing and mental well-being. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the memory of the event can be triggered causing "flashbacks" of emotions or sensory information from that time. Once the block is released and the balance restored true healing can occur.
In my next article, I will share more on the science of tapping and how tapping actually works. Here is a short 5min video on the science of tapping go to https://www.scienceoftapping.com/
Here is what Margaret wrote after our sessions together:-
I was recommended by my doctor to look at some kind of counselling to help relieve stress after what had been a very traumatic eighteen months of health concerns regarding myself and my partner. I investigated through the internet and found Carolina Kerridge, Holistic Therapist, EFT Practitioner.
My initial experience with EFT was “out of this world” it was just so unbelievable that the soothing voice of Carolina could install the sense of calmness and better thoughts were able to replace the negative ones. It was like making a new movie in your brain replacing an old and disturbing movie. This especially covered a time of deep distress following a hospital incident.
Over the ensuing weeks, I was able to put this experience behind me and view it in a different manner like it didn’t matter anymore. I had a very good new movie to think about. A traumatic event that happened in my life in 1992 which caused me stress from time to time was also “put to rest” through using EFT.
By the end of the 8 sessions, I felt so peaceful and had my life back under control again and it has stayed that way.
Working with Carolina has been a pleasure, she is the most gifted and caring person. One leaves after a session with Carolina feeling so good.
I would highly recommend the EFT treatment to anyone requiring help with stress, anxiety, depression insomnia etc."
As the founder of EFT Gary Craig would say "why not give it a try?"
Wishing you all the very best of health and wellbeing.
Carolina.
This is the second in a series of posts in which I'll share with you how these practices work, the neuroscience behind stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma etc and the short and long term benefits of these tools not only for you but also for your family. I will share stories of other’s healing journeys with EFT, the Heartstream Process and Energy Psychology and how it has changed their lives too.
Carolina Kerridge,
LLB (Hons), Holistic Therapist, Cert. and Accredited EFT and Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner, Holistic Coach and Meditation Instructor at Heartstream Wellness. Richmond, Nelson, NZ.
I specialise in stress, anxiety, trauma, addictions and negative emotions. I choose to support those looking for true personal transformation.
My vision is to "heal and transform the planet one person at a time".
For more information on EFT tapping and the science of tapping go to;- https://petastapleton.com/the-science-behind-tapping
https://eftinternational.org/