Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
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What is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), often known as “tapping,” is a highly effective therapeutic tool which has the capacity to transform lives. It combines elements of traditional Chinese acupressure with modern psychology to target both the mind and body, allowing a person to address emotional distress, stress and negative beliefs in a safe and supportive way.
EFT is a powerful self-help method designed to alleviate physical and emotional distress. It involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on a particular emotion, belief, memory or event, with the aim of reducing its emotional intensity. EFT is a simple, gentle and non-invasive approach for emotional and physical healing.
EFT is an incredibly effective tool that helps with a variety of issues, from emotional challenges and physical symptoms, to performance and professional growth.
How does EFT work?
EFT works by combining elements of exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring and acupressure. Tapping on meridian points on the body (similar to acupuncture points) while focusing on a specific thought, belief or distressing memory or feeling helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” response), rather than the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight” response). This process has a calming effect on the nervous system and reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
Understanding cortisol: Balancing stress for better health
Crucial for health and survival, cortisol is responsible for regulating the metabolism, immune responses, inflammation and blood sugar levels. It also plays an important role in helping the body react quickly to danger or respond to stressful situations or perceived threats. Under stress, cortisol levels increase. This increase provides a quick burst of energy, increased awareness and heightened memory. However, prolonged high cortisol levels can lead to health issues like weight gain, high blood pressure, change in mood and weakened immune function. Long-term elevated cortisol levels can contribute to chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that EFT tapping can lower cortisol levels, whilst enhancing immune function.
Calming the Mind and Rewiring the Brain
EFT shares similarities to exposure therapy, particularly in its approach to addressing specific fears, stressors or traumatic memories. It involves bringing a specific emotional issue or physical sensation to conscious awareness. When an issue is brought into awareness, it becomes easier to release the energy associated with it. This focused attention is essential for processing and reducing the emotional charge associated with the particular thought, memory or sensation. Focusing on the stressor while tapping on specific meridian points helps calm the amygdala, (the brain’s stress and fear centre) and the hippocampus (memory centre). This calming effect allows the brain to reprocess thoughts, triggers and memories in a less reactive way. Over time, this repeated calming response helps to “rewire” the brain. With repeated EFT tapping sessions, the emotional intensity tied to thoughts and memories lessen and the brain begins to associate thoughts, triggers and scenarios with a sense of calm instead of stress.
Calming Stress Responses to Real and Imagined Challenges
EFT works effectively to address both real and imagined stressors. Since the brain cannot fully distinguish between the two, it often activates the same stress response. EFT works in the same way, helping to calm the amygdala and reducing the body’s stress response, regardless of whether the threat is happening in the present moment or is imagined. EFT is an effective tool that is adaptable for addressing a range of emotional issues, whether they are from past experiences, a current challenge or future concern.
Enhances The Mind-Body Connection
EFT is a powerful mind-body technique that engages both the mind and body to release negative emotions, reduce physical symptoms and bring a more balanced flow of energy throughout the body. By engaging the mind and body simultaneously, EFT helps address both the emotional and physical aspects of distress, promoting balance and improved wellbeing and physical health.
Releasing Trapped Emotions for Emotional and Physical Healing
EFT is a remarkable tool for managing emotional distress, offering relief by releasing ‘trapped’ emotions, calming the stress response and restoring balance to the body’s energy flow. Emotional distress often results from trapped emotions that are ‘stuck’ in the body. When emotions such as sadness, fear, anger and other intense emotions are not fully expressed or processed, they can become stored within the body’s tissues, nervous system and energy pathways. Overtime, unprocessed emotions can manifest as physical symptoms, such as headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues or fatigue. According to energy psychology, unresolved emotions can disrupt the body’s natural energy pathways (or meridians). Tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on a distressing emotion helps to release emotional and energetic blockages, allowing energy to flow more freely and reducing both physical and emotional symptoms attached to the unresolved feelings.
A Powerful Method for Personal Healing and Transformation
EFT is an effective approach as it teaches the mind and body to react and respond differently by calming the stress response, desensitising emotional triggers and creating new neural pathways. This transformational method allows individuals to meet stress and challenging emotions with greater ease, control and inner balance.
How can EFT Help Me?
Stress and Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Events
Memories
Fears
Phobias
Weight Loss
Body Image
Food Cravings
Physical Pain (Chronic pain, pain management)
Sleep Disorders
Limiting Beliefs
Performance
Some Happy EFT Clients
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there scientific evidence for EFT?
Research and studies conducted on EFT support its effectiveness for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, chronic pain and cravings. Scientific evidence suggests EFT has both psychological and physiological benefits and is increasingly recognised as a valid therapeutic tool within the mental health community.
Can EFT help with physical pain?
Yes, EFT can help to address physical pain, especially when the pain has an emotional or stress-related component.
Can EFT help with limiting beliefs?
Yes, EFT can be a powerful therapeutic tool for addressing and releasing limiting beliefs and emotional blocks. Tapping on acupressure points, while focusing on a specific belief or block, allows a person to address and release the emotional “charge” around it. This helps to “rewire” the brain’s response to certain beliefs or blocks, freeing up mental and emotional space, allowing new ideas, empowering beliefs and constructive habits to form.
Is EFT safe?
EFT is generally considered very safe. It is non-invasive and accessible technique that people of all ages can use to help manage stress and emotions.
EFT is seen as low-risk. Some people may feel emotional or fatigued after a session; however, these feelings are short-lived. For those people with intense trauma, it is best to work with a trained EFT practitioner.
Can EFT be used with children?
Yes, EFT can be very effective for children. Tapping is simple and gentle for children to learn, making it a great tool for helping them to manage emotions, improving focus and building resilience. EFT can be a quick and effective way to help calm children when they are upset. It can also help them to manage, process and release stuck emotions or trauma. EFT is also effective in helping children to relax and fall asleep more easily.
How many EFT sessions will I need?
The number of EFT sessions needed will vary for each person. EFT may work more quickly
Some people experience noticeable relief after just one or two sessions for less complex issues, while more complex issues, such as PTSD, depression, trauma or long-standing emotional patterns often require multiple rounds of EFT to create long lasting change.
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