Emotional Freedom Technique

What is EFT?

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has developed from the ancient Chinese meridian energy system - it is a form of emotional acupuncture done with tapping rather than needles, and is based on the premise that all negative emotions are linked to the disruption in the body’s energy system. EFT works by clearing the energy blockage by tapping on the end points of the body’s energy meridians, while tuning the mind to the issue in question, and thus  helping to rebalance the energy system.

EFT can be applied to treat a wide range of emotional problems and issues, including anxiety, fears, phobias, trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, anger, guilt, as well as physical symptoms such as pain. It has also been used to enhance performance and improve relationships.

Background of EFT

 EFT owes its origin to a discovery by US Clinical Psychologist Roger Callahan. He was studying the meridian system while treating a woman - Mary - for a severe water phobia. After 18 months with little progress, one day Callahan took note when Mary said her fearful feeling was located in her stomach and had her tap on a meridian point under the eye linked to this region.  She stated excitedly that the feeling was gone and proceeded to test this by rushing to the pool and splashing water on her face. Her life-long phobia was gone - all from a few simple taps under her eye.

Following many similarly startling clinical results, Callahan hypothesised that emotional problems are caused by “thought fields” which have “perturbations” that disrupt subtle energy flow. Negative emotions result from these blockages. Tapping on the energy system releases the blocks, allowing the energy to flow more freely.

EFT is a true combination of Eastern and Western medicine. It can be thought of as psychological use of the acupuncture meridians. It is a body-energy technique that has profound psychological effects. It also positively influences body symptoms of distress, pain and suffering from disease states.

How can EFT help?

EFT offers people with breast cancer the opportunity to take an active part in their own wellbeing.  It is an excellent way of supporting their medical treatment by reducing the fears and angers, which may otherwise get in the way. People undergoing breast cancer treatment often feel a loss of control with things being ‘done to them’, they feel disempowered.  EFT can help give them back  a sense of control.

As well as helping to address the emotional aspects of breast cancer diagnosis, the fears, anxieties, grief, life changes etc, EFT may also support the physical body.  For instance, we have examples of Visitors telling us that they have used EFT to enable their veins to be needled for chemotherapy when they have collapsed, and who say that it helps reduce the burns from radiotherapy.  Visitors report that EFT can also help in reducing pain. EFT may also help Visitors psychologically to accept their medical treatment and work with it rather than fighting against it.

For those reaching the end of life, EFT may also be used as a way of helping the dying accept their path and approach death with a greater sense of peace. 

How does EFT work? 
 The idea of tapping on acupressure points may disturb many therapists and health care professionals as it both provokes and requires a shift in some of our deepest beliefs. Only those who can tolerate the resulting uncertainty will contemplate embracing energy therapies. Nevertheless they do appear to work whether we believe or not. They also invite healing and integration on many levels as body and mind work together.

How is EFT taught?
 EFT can be delivered in a number of ways, each of which is extremely effective: face to face sessions, phone sessions and group work. All sessions involve the Visitor turning their attention to the specific issue being worked with, with the support of the therapist, and tapping to clear the ongoing emotional attachment they have to this problem.  This emotional attachment shows up in some form of emotional intensity which is turn disrupts the body’s energy system and causes discomfort or distress.  With EFT it is possible to tap to clear this without having to access the full intensity of the emotion.

·       Individual face-to-face sessions it is usual for the therapist to tap on the Visitor whilst helping them access the areas they want to work with safely and gently. One of the aims of the work is to teach the Visitor how to use EFT for themselves so that they can continue their own healing process in between sessions.

·       Group work is an extremely effective way of teaching EFT.  It is possible to work at many different levels and resolve very intense emotional responses and memories without ever sharing the content

Please view our calendar to see the full range of groups, classes and seminars at your local Haven.