What is EFT?
EFT stands for ‘Emotional Freedom Technique’. Our bodies – like everything in the universe – are composed of energy. EFT is based on the theory that imbalances in your body’s energy can have profound effects on your personal psychology. And a disruption in energy is the cause of your negative emotions and pain. EFT is considered a Complementary Therapy and as such should not replace your seeking qualified medical advice where needed.
What does EFT do?
Many past or present traumas get stored in the mind and even in the body, throwing the body’s energy out of balance and affecting all our future actions and decisions either consciously or unconsciously. Using EFT you correct these imbalances by tapping on your body’s meridian points while verbalising (out loud or to yourself) the issue causing the imbalance. Because of this tapping technique, EFT is also sometimes referred to as tapping or psychological acupressure.
How does EFT work?
The basic EFT technique requires you to focus on the negative emotion, for example a fear or anxiety, a phobia, a bad memory, an unresolved problem, a physical pain, or anything that’s bothering you. While maintaining your mental focus on this issue, you use your fingertips to tap on 12 of the body’s meridian points in a prescribed pattern. This tapping will access your body’s energy, restoring it to a balanced state, stimulating the body’s own ability to release stored pain of any kind.
What are the benefits of EFT?
Physical pain and disease are highly connected to negative emotions, so EFT can be used to relieve the symptoms of pain. EFT can also help with negative emotions driven by depression, anxiety, phobias, PTSD, struggles with weight loss or emotional eating, problems sleeping, low self-esteem, allergies, cravings – pretty much anything that can make you feel unwell or stressed either physically or mentally.
Is EFT physically safe?
Yes, it is extremely safe since it works with your body’s natural energy in much the same way as acupuncture or acupressure – only without the needles! The only times I would advise against tapping is where the skin above the meridian point is broken or there is an unhealed wound. But otherwise once you’ve learned how to do it properly it’s also very easy to use.
Do I need a therapist to use EFT?
If you are considering trying EFT then I would always advise that you see a therapist first. A well-qualified EFT practitioner like me will help you navigate through the problems or circumstances that have given rise to your issues. And once we have a good understanding of what they are I can teach you the technique and facilitate your progress.
Do I have to believe in EFT in order for it to work?
No. My experience is that EFT works whether you believe in it or not. Many times I’ve seen that once people start to see results, they embrace the techniques more readily – they “let it in” – and progress is much quicker.
Will EFT work for children?
Yes EFT is wonderful for children. It can play a major part in helping them release fear, anxiety, trauma, and doubt.
What if it’s too painful to me to talk about my problem?
You don’t have to talk about your problem if you don’t want to. We can still apply EFT techniques without any details being discussed.
Are there any negative side effects to EFT?
EFT is a very gentle physical process and we rarely see any serious side effects. Most people leave an EFT session feeling invigorated, uplifted and much calmer mentally than when they started. But occasionally the opposite happens. This is NOT a sign that EFT has had a negative impact, rather that new, previously suppressed issues have come to the surface that may need more attention.
Are the results of EFT long lasting?
Done properly and over a realistic period of time (exactly how long is different for everyone) emotional healing is almost always long lasting. Sometimes though an emotional issue can return later on, possibly because it wasn’t addressed in the initial stages, or the original problem was only partly neutralised. If the original issue was a physical one (such as pain) it may have been acting as a manifestation of emotional trauma, and if it does come back it may be a reaction to a different mental issue.
What if I’m not sure EFT is the right thing for me?
Then let’s have a quick chat and we can explore how EFT might help you. I offer a free initial 15-minute consultation, and if after that you’re still not convinced then there is no obligation to proceed. But if you are considering EFT at any level then I do urge you to get in touch first. You have nothing to lose but whatever it is that’s holding you back from leading a healthy and fulfilling life.