EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE

Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT is a talking/energy therapy that involves tapping on certain meridian points on the face and body, while focussing on a specific feeling, thought or image. It has been described as ‘psychological acupuncture’, and it enables clients to access and release unconscious beliefs/past events behind their presenting issues; it ultimately helps restore the energy balance in their body.

The specific points to tap are the end-points of the major meridians (meridians are believed to be channels of subtle energy which flow through our body).

This technique has been found to be helpful with a variety of unpleasant, uncomfortable or distressing feelings. Many people have found that it has helped them to relieve strong emotions, such as anxiety, anger, sadness or guilt. It can be helpful both with feelings that would be expected to ease naturally over time and also with long established feelings (such as phobias or post-traumatic stress). In addition, some people have found it helpful with troublesome physical sensations, such as pain, dizziness or cravings.

With some instruction, it is possible for anybody to make use of this technique, but usually an EFT practitioner would guide you. Although most people choose to tap on themselves, it is also possible to allow someone else to tap on you. Similarly, you might choose to tap on someone else (with their permission!) in order to help them. One example of this is to tap on young children who are upset.

For many strong feelings, with persistence, it may be possible to clear them out completely;certainly, it is it is worthwhile to persevere (by using several rounds of EFT) in order to ensure you achieve the maximum effect. Most of the time, you’ll find that things proceed smoothly, but occasionally your feelings become even stronger, or other distressing feelings may temporarily surface. The important thing here is to keep tapping rather than to give up. Continue to focus on whatever the strongest feeling is at that moment, while using further EFT rounds.

The first step in EFT is to connect to the problem, by focussing and ‘tuning in’, followed by putting the problem into words. This is followed by rating the strength of the problem on a scale of 0 to 10 (SUDS scale). This can be useful in evaluating whether you have achieved any change in the strength of the feeling by the end of the procedure. Having done this, then proceed to the set-up phrase i.e. ‘making a strong positive statement’ about what you want to change while tapping on a certain area of the body. After this you can then proceed to the main part of EFT, the sequence itself, and on completing one round, re-rate on the scale of 0 to 10.

It has been said that being well hydrated can make EFT more effective, along with correcting for ‘neurological disorganisation’ prior to tapping i.e. undertaking counselling or hypnotherapy for emotional clear-out or sorting out mind clutter.

Continue to do rounds of EFT until all aspects of the problem feel clear or are at a comfortable level.

We also offer the following: