What is EFT/ Emotional Freedom Technique?
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an approach that identifies and addresses negative emotions and/or limiting perceptions (mental scripts). Negative emotions are at times stored in the body, (fear, anger, shame,..) and subsequently serve as a natural defence system to control and protect the person from additional new pain. The historical storing of trauma from these wounded parts is part of a healthy defence system. Sadly it goes awry when new situations that do not carry the same risk, are responded to as if they are real. ( ie the body responds in fear despite the threat being viewed in a film). This internal defence and self protection mechanisms is often in conflict with each other and with one’s core Self. An otherwise confident compassionate whole, person, that is at the core of every individual, is impeded by false and unnecessary responses. EFT focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by releasing the dynamics that create discord.
Dr. Bruce Lipton “Energy healing is more effective than chemical healing.”
- Free the body/psyche from restrictive emotions
- Increase cognitive capacity (objectivity, critical thinking, memory, focus & concentration …)
- Improved mental/emotional state
- Improved physical state
- Increased effectiveness at attaining goals
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), also known as tapping, is a psychological acupressure technique used by Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Therapists, and Performance Coaches to deal with emotional angst and/or trauma and psychological blockages that may be affecting many aspects of your mental and physical well being. EFT involves the stimulation of specific pressure points through repetitive tapping. Other important aspects include utilizing; mental reframing, coaching, affirmations, acceptance and goal setting. EFT is one of several processes that fall under the umbrella of Energy Psychology.
With EFT you work with a practitioner to identify and understand the specific elements that make up your internal mental/psyche system. Once you identify these parts, that need addressing, the EFT practitioner will help you acknowledge your feelings about these events and release these feelings. The outcome of disentangling yourself from the emotional quagmire is that you are freer to address the actual situation and ultimately find more positive ways to manage goals/conflicts on your own.
EFT addresses:
- Financial Issues (under-earning, gambling, retail therapy, boom-bust cycles,, …)
- PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (conflicts, bullying, loss, betrayal, …)
- Emotional challenges (depression, grief, sadness, anger, anxiety, shame,…)
- Performance (sports, business, physical, sexual, financial, presentations, …)
- Work issues (recognition, salary, relationships, creativity, confidence,…)
- Relationship issues (conflict, social ease, creating healthier relationships,…)
- Fears and phobias (animals, public speaking, flying, moving forward in life and facing new situations,…)
- Physical Pain (back aches, headaches, arthritis, …)
- Cravings (addictions, smoking, sweets, weight issues, ….)
EFT has been clinically studied and has repeatedly been found to; Reduce: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, C-PTSD, Pain, Cravings, Cortisol levels and Blood pressure as well as improve Happiness and Immune System Markers. These shifts were noted and maintained over a limited study time frame. Results vary: however repeated and ongoing use of EFT can be effective for addressing more severe/layered issues and both study and anecdotal evidence have been noteworthy.
Numerous Professionals have turned to EFT to resolve issues, more famously; Deepak Chopra MD, Bruce Lipton PhD, Candace Pert PhD, Cheryl Richardson, Norm Shealy MD, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Iyanla Vanzant, among many others.
While I have utilized EFT to address a wide range of issues from the above expansive list, for myself as well as for clients, my focus is:
- Financial issues* (Debt, under-earning, under-employment, emotional spending, Money Management, Family Wealth, Psychology of Investing, … )
- Performance (projects, business, financial, presentations,…)
- Emotional challenges (depression, grief, sadness, anger, anxiety, shame, …)
- Fears and phobias (moving forward in life and facing new situations)
Many people initially wary of the Eastern medicinal principles EFT is based upon, have experienced success in many professional and personal cases where other processes failed to provide relief or results. EFT accesses the mind/body connection and thus often works where nothing else does. If you would like to discuss more about the process or how we can make it work for you please contact me.
For a description of EFT, please proceed to How to do EFT.
* I have read over 100 books on the topic of Money alone, and spent countless more hours reading articles, etcetera. As part of my master’s (Financial conduct & decision making) researched and wrote lengthy papers specifically on; ‘Our Relationship to Money’, ‘Financial Health‘, Under-earning, and another on ‘Heir Conditioning and Family Wealth Transference’ in addition to several smaller papers on the topic. The later is being transitioned into a book in conjunction with another book that I’m working on Are you ready for a Windfall? I am also an active investor and founder of an investment club within my community, and co-founder of the Canadian Financial Learning & Investment Discussion Clubs.
History of EFT
EFT was developed in the early 1990s when Gary Craig, developed a more streamlined and user-friendly version of Dr. Roger Callahan’s TFT (Thought Field Therapy). TFT was one of the first methods in what is now called Energy Psychology. Gary Craig is a big proponent of ‘try it on everything’. EFT has been used in many mental/emotional/physical domains. Persistence, when aptly applied, can alleviate many issues. EFT is not a substitute for proper medical/psychiatric treatment but can be used in conjunction as part of a multi-disciplinary approach.
Personally I am a proponent of a holistic approach. I am a fan of orthomolecular medicine, as well as homeopathy and acupuncture, and value their use in conjunction with traditional allopathic medicine. For those clients who are vulnerable to ‘mental illness’ I feel it is important that they take nutritional supplements and work with a Naturopathic Doctor as the mind responds better when the brain is properly nourished. Anxiety/depression/ptsd responds well to nutritional supplementation and facilitates the use of EFT for addressing one’s specific personal events. Pent up emotions from previous events can be healed, transformed, and/or better managed by utilizing EFT.
What to look for in an EFT practitioner:
Seek out an EFT practitioner with an understanding of emotional trauma and/or mental scripts. It will be beneficial to find a practitioner with both a background of your issues and experience in addition to training and educational credentials. It is also important to find a EFT practitioner with whom you are comfortable working. There is a level of intutiveness to EFT, and thus recognize that while credentials are beneficial a practitioner that you are comfortable speaking to about your personal thoughts and feelings is essential.
