What Is Emotional Freedom Technique?
Developed in 1995 by Gary Craig, a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) master practitioner, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a form of counselling intervention that centres on the theory that disruptions in the energy system of the body causes all negative emotions.
The modality is based on the belief that negative experiences and thoughts can cause disruptions in the energy system, which manifest in emotional problems. Realigning the disrupted meridians, or energy pathways, and addressing the underlying emotional issues eventually lead to healing.
Fingertips are used by the practitioners to stimulate specific acupuncture points and meridians located on the face, head, hands and upper torso while the client focuses on the negative feelings or problems that they are harbouring. It should be remembered that any forms of emotional stress can negatively affect the natural healing potential of the body.
Also known as Tapping, or EFT Tapping, EFT aims to reprogram or remove any established emotions in the body. In addition, it can also be used to provide relief from physical issues or chronic pain without exploring any emotional contributors.
How Does Emotional Freedom Technique Work?
EFT is helpful with various unpleasant, uncomfortable, or distressing feelings. Several people have found out that it has helped them become relieved from strong emotions like anger, anxiety, guilt, or sadness. It can also be helpful with long-established feelings such as post-traumatic stress or phobias. Also, some people found it to help address physical sensations like cravings, dizziness or pain.
With some instruction, anyone can use EFT. Although most people choose to perform tapping on themselves, it is also possible to have someone else perform EFT on them. It has also been said that EFT is more effective if the person is well hydrated.
EFT is very gentle and can provide substantial relief with little or no pain, and it does not require any use of needles or prodding. The qualified practitioner usually teaches the client some simple tapping sequence so that they can perform it on themselves outside of the sessions. This allows them to handle their emotional issues when they arise.
An EFT session basically involves focusing on the emotional problem you want to solve, whether it's anxiety, fear, anger or what have you. After identifying the problem, rate its intensity from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest or most intense. Then, create a reminder phrase and recite it while tapping on each meridian point 5 to 7 times.
What Are the Different EFT Tapping Points?
EFT is similar to Thought Field Therapy, except that the former doesn't require following a specific tapping sequence for each problem. With EFT, a person can simply tap on the points listed below and feel better instantly, regardless of the nature of their problem:
- Top of the Head
- Third Eye
- Start of the Eyebrow
- Corner of the Eye
- Under the Eye
- Under the Nose
- Under the Mouth
- Collarbone Point
- Under the Arm
- Rib Cage
- Thumb
- Index Finger
- Middle Finger
- Little Finger
- Karate Chop Point
- Gamut Point
What Are the Benefits of Emotional Freedom Technique
EFT is a safe, noninvasive and inexpensive way of healing yourself and changing your life for the better. Whether performed by a therapist or yourself, it can effectively address a variety of emotional and physical conditions, including:
- Trauma
- Fear and phobias
- Grief
- Anxiety and depression
- Panic disorders
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Financial problems
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Anger issues
- Weight loss problems
What Can You Expect From Emotional Freedom Technique?
Unlike other types of counselling services, EFT doesn't require the client to talk about their problem if they don't feel like it. During the session, the client focuses on their problem while tapping on the meridian points on their face and upper body. In the beginning, they might rate their problem as a 10, but after a few rounds of tapping, the number goes down. The goal of the session is to get the number to 0.
EFT can be done in a face-to-face clinical setting or remotely. Clients who prefer to receive treatment in the comfort of their homes may contact an EFT therapist online. There's not much of a difference between the two options since EFT is a noncontact modality after all.
An EFT session usually lasts for 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how fast the client manages to shift unwanted thoughts and feelings stored in their subconscious mind. Some problems can be resolved in a single session, but the deep-seated ones might require two to four sessions.
Is Emotional Freedom Technique Safe?
EFT is a safe and effective way of treating a wide range of emotional, mental and physical conditions. Studies show that anyone can benefit from it, regardless of their age and state of health. In fact, children use it at school before their exams as well as athletes before a game, as this non-allopathic therapy eliminates their limiting beliefs and calms their nerves instantly.
