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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often referred to as tapping, is a mind–body therapeutic approach designed to reduce emotional distress, calm the nervous system, and support psychological and physical wellbeing. EFT was developed by Gary Craig, a Stanford-educated engineer, who refined and simplified an earlier tapping-based system created by psychiatrist Dr Roger Callahan. The approach integrates elements of acupressure and cognitive therapy, using gentle tapping on specific acupressure ‘meridian’ points while the individual focuses on feelings related to a particular emotional difficulty. EFT is commonly used to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, emotional pain, and persistent negative thought patterns. It is often offered as an adjunct to other therapeutic approaches rather than a standalone treatment. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝗙𝗧 (𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 EFT involves lightly tapping on acupressure points on the body in sequence while holding attention on feelings associated with a specific emotional experience and repeating a structured statement guided by the therapist. This process is thought to: - Reduce activation of the fight-or-flight response - Calm physiological stress reactions - Increase emotional regulation - Reframe distressing cognitive patterns In simple terms, EFT aims to help the body and mind process emotional material in a way that feels safer, more regulated, and less overwhelming. 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆: 𝗔𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Along with several senior hypnotherapy practitioners, I consider that when EFT is used skillfully, it often overlaps with aspects of hypnotherapy. The combination of focused attention on an emotional issue, repeated verbal statements, and rhythmic tapping can create a mild state of cognitive disruption or absorption. This process—commonly used in hypnotic induction—may help loosen rigid emotional patterns and allow new associations or responses to emerge. When integrated thoughtfully, this can enhance therapeutic effectiveness while remaining client-centred and collaborative. 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 The effectiveness of EFT has been increasingly supported by empirical research. In Australia, the work of Professor Peta Stapleton has played a significant role in establishing its scientific credibility. Her research, outlined in The Science of Tapping, demonstrates measurable benefits of EFT across a range of psychological concerns. I have completed all available levels of EFT founder, Gary Craig’s EFT training, and have used EFT extensively over many years as an adjunct therapeutic tool within a broader evidence-based framework. In my experience, EFT can be particularly valuable when integrated with other therapeutic approaches to support emotional regulation and reduce distress. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗜𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 EFT is not used as a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it may be incorporated alongside approaches such as CBT, ACT, REBT, DBT, or hypnotherapy, depending on the individual’s needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals. This integrated approach allows EFT to be applied safely, ethically, and effectively within a structured therapeutic process. 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂? EFT may be helpful if you: - Experience persistent stress or anxiety - Feel emotionally “stuck” despite insight or understanding - Have difficulty calming strong emotional reactions - Are open to mind–body approaches within therapy A professional consultation can help determine whether EFT is appropriate for your circumstances. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 If you are interested in learning more about Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) and how it may be integrated into therapy, please get in touch via our contact page to discuss your options or arrange a consultation. 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 (𝗘𝗙𝗧)? Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often called tapping, is a mind–body therapeutic approach that combines elements of acupressure and cognitive therapy. It involves gently tapping on specific acupressure/meridian points on the body while focusing on feelings related to an emotional concern, with the aim of reducing emotional distress and calming the nervous system. 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱? EFT is supported by a growing body of research. In Australia, the work of Professor Peta Stapleton has contributed significantly to the evidence base, demonstrating measurable benefits of EFT across a range of psychological conditions. While EFT is often used as an adjunct rather than a standalone treatment, research suggests it can be effective when applied appropriately by a trained practitioner. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? EFT is thought to work by reducing activation of the body’s stress response (fight-or-flight) while the individual remains focused on a specific emotional issue. This combination of physiological calming and cognitive engagement may help reduce emotional intensity and allow more flexible thinking and emotional regulation. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵? EFT is commonly used to support individuals experiencing: - Anxiety and stress - Emotional distress and overwhelm - Trauma-related symptoms - Phobias and fears - Persistent negative thought patterns - Chronic emotional tension It may also be helpful when people feel emotionally “stuck” despite insight or understanding. 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀? EFT is not hypnosis, but when used skilfully it can overlap with some aspects of hypnotherapy. The focused attention, repetition, and rhythmic tapping can create a mild state of absorption or cognitive flexibility, similar to what occurs during hypnotic processes. Importantly, clients remain fully aware and in control throughout EFT. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹? Not necessarily. EFT can often be applied without extensive verbal detail. The therapist will guide the process at a pace that feels safe and manageable, ensuring emotional regulation remains a priority. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻? An EFT session typically involves: - Identifying a specific emotional issue or concern - Rating its emotional intensity - Guided tapping on acupressure/meridian points while focusing attention on the issue - Reviewing changes in emotional response - Integrating EFT with other therapeutic strategies as appropriate EFT may be used for part of a session or integrated into broader therapy work. 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲? When delivered by a qualified and experienced practitioner, EFT is generally considered safe. As with any therapeutic approach, it should be applied carefully—particularly when working with trauma—within a structured, professional framework. 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲? EFT can be helpful for many people, but it is not appropriate for every individual or every situation. A consultation allows for assessment of whether EFT is suitable for your needs and how it might best be integrated with other therapeutic approaches. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗲𝘀? Yes. EFT is commonly integrated with CBT, ACT, REBT, DBT, and hypnotherapy. This integrative approach allows therapy to remain evidence-based, flexible, and responsive to individual goals. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲? EFT may be a good option if you: - Experience strong emotional reactions - Have difficulty calming anxiety or stress responses - Are open to mind–body approaches - Would like additional tools alongside talking therapy A professional discussion can help determine whether EFT is appropriate for you.