What the hell is EFT? Emotional Freedom Technique Explained
What is EFT tapping?
EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is often called “tapping.” It is a body-based therapeutic tool that can be used to support stress regulation, emotional processing and nervous system calming. It’s facilitated by tapping on sensitive points on the body which align with Chinese medicine meridians and specific nerve points. This is done while focusing on a negative thought, memory, feeling, belief or body sensation/symptom in order to reduce its intensity.
Stemming from acupuncture theory, EFT was created by Stanford trained engineer Gary Craig after simplifying and evolving the process from clinical psychologist Dr Roger Callahan’s ‘Thought Field Therapy’ which used similar concepts in a complex diagnostic format.
The genius of Gary was that he was able to take the core aspects of Thought Field Therapy and simplify the process without the need to adjust where and how to tap based on specific issues, and instead created a ‘one size fits all’ recipe of tapping to produce the same result.
But how does it work?
In Classic EFT theory it was the mechanism of tapping on the meridians and qi (spiritual energy) being moved, shifted and unblocked to release trauma, anxiety, stress and depression, however in modern times, we now have the benefit of neuroscience and psychology to detail just how the process works.
In a nutshell, according to modern science EFT works by regulating the nervous system as we tap on our body. This firstly sends calming signals to our amygdala in our brain which is in part responsible for our Fight or Flight mechanism and activating our survival/stress response through the nervous system. By calming down and regulating this Fight or Flight response, our body reduces stress related activity, we have less stress hormones flooding us, and instead have improved heart rate, blood pressure and moving us out of the negative anxiety, stress, or traumatic spirals which can occur when we’re overwhelmed.
Finally, by doing this while focusing on a painful or traumatic thought, feeling, memory or body sensation, we’re essentially pulling the memory out of our brain and NOT avoiding it (which is a vital component of most trauma exposure therapies), reducing the emotional and physiological charge, and as the thought/memory/trauma re-consolidates back into our brain, it does so without the emotional overwhelm since it’s been tapped out. This leaves the memory or thought without any power to overwhelm us and we’re finally free of its effects. In essence, EFT is a unique synthesis of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Somatic/Body based therapy, and Mindfulness.
Can EFT help with anxiety, stress or trauma?
In terms of solid evidence, over 300 clinical research studies have been done on EFT and shows that this stress reduction tool lowers biomarkers of stress in the body, creates positive brain changes in fMRI scans, and reduces self-reported levels of anxiety, stress, depression and trauma based symptoms.
Having been trained in both the Classic and evidence based Clinical EFT, I have used it with clients, colleagues, friends, family, and of course on myself. It’s a great tool and technique for anyone working in counselling spaces due to its effective nature, how easy it can be to do, and the fact that a client can learn a streamlined way of doing it with a properly trained EFT practitioner to take home and continue doing simple forms of it in-between sessions or by themselves in general.
Online Clinical EFT support across Australia
For those curious about experiencing EFT as a body-based therapeutic technique, especially if other approaches have not felt like enough, Clinical EFT may offer another way to work with stress, anxiety, trauma responses and emotional overwhelm. It can be particularly helpful for people who need a safe, paced space to process difficult emotions without overwhelming themselves.
A gentle caveat: if you are working with trauma, intense memories, panic, dissociation or overwhelming body sensations, EFT is best explored with a trained practitioner rather than forcing yourself through it alone.
Inner Alchemy Counselling and Psychotherapy offers Clinical EFT as part of online counselling and psychotherapy across Australia. EFT may be helpful for people navigating stress, anxiety, trauma responses, emotional overwhelm, inner criticism or difficulty regulating the nervous system. If you are curious about EFT and want to explore it safely, you are welcome to book an online session or reach out to see whether this approach feels right for you.
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For those interested in the science here are some links: