EFT Tapping
EFT stands for the Emotional Freedom Techniques. It is also commonly referred to as “tapping”. The technique involves a gentle tapping of the fingertips on 9 primary “meridians”. The face, upper body, and side of hand.
EFT tapping seeks to address imbalances within a person’s energy system, as well as the energetic influence of thoughts, beliefs and emotions on the body. The basis of EFT tapping is that the source of all challenging, stressful, and negative emotions and limiting beliefs is a disruption in the body’s energy system. It is believed that EFT tapping helps clear these disruptions, thereby restoring the flow and balance of the body’s electromagnetic and more subtle energies. When using EFT tapping as a part of a coaching session, the client does the tapping on the clients’ own body and the coach helps guide the session by instructing the client where to tap while saying specific phrases based on the issues that are being worked on.
EFT Tapping Points and Meridians
Most importantly, meridians are fundamental to the protocols of EFT tapping. In fact, meridian balance is considered an essential component of good health in Chinese Medicine. Meridians are stimulated when tapping on these points using firm but gentle finger ‘taps’. Hence, it is believed that the blocked energy releases and is able to flow again.
I would love to hear from you! I offer a free 20-minute consultation in order to answer any questions you might have and to determine if EFT tapping is something you would be interested in and to mutually decide if my coaching services are a good fit for you. You can schedule that here by clicking the yellow button below.
History of EFT
In 1979, Dr Roger Callahan, a psychologist made an interesting discovery. He found that tapping under the eye meridian point (associated with the stomach meridian) helped one of his patients. “Mary” experienced an almost instantaneous release from a severe phobia. Consequently, Callahan realized how powerful stimulating the meridians could be in releasing other psychological issues.
Dr Callahan spent years researching which points to tap on. Subsequently, he developed algorithms for his technique that he named Thought Field Therapy (TFT). As a result, Gary Craig who was a student of Callahan’s, discovered that tapping on all of the points in sequence was just as effective.
In fact, Gary Craig went on to develop EFT “Emotional Freedom Techniques” in 1995. EFT tapping is rapidly growing in popularity and used by thousands around the world.
How Does EFT Tapping Work?
The EFT Process
While it is not possible to provide any guarantees, tapping seems to quickly and effectively resolve some issues. More importantly, in working together, we will have the opportunity to explore the things that could be standing in the way of your happiness and well-being and at the same time reduce your stress. Therefore, once you clear those blocks, it is possible to begin the process of restoring your well-being.
Meridian Points
Similar to acupuncture EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) focuses on meridian points believed to restore balance to the body’s energy system. Based on Chinese medicine, meridian points are thought of as areas of the body energy flows through. These pathways can help balance energy flow to maintain your health. It is believed that imbalance can lead to disease or sickness.
“A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases describes this Emotional Freedom Techniques as “combining elements of cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques with acupoint stimulation.”
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has certain things in common with traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture. It focuses on the body’s “energy system,” made up of circuits that run throughout the body.
These energy circuits are referred to as meridians and can have powerful effects. Mind-body techniques are believed to help direct the flow of energy in the body thus promoting well-being. EFT also is designed to bring attention to thought processes that may contribute to stress and emotional problems combined with a statement of self-acceptance.
The 12 Primary Chinese Meridians
- Lung meridian
- Stomach meridian
- Heart meridian
- Small intestine meridian
- Bladder meridian
- Kidney meridian
- Pericardium meridian (thin sac that surrounds the heart)
- Triple burner/warmer/heater meridian (runs from the ring finger up to the ears)
- Gall bladder meridian
- Spleen meridian
- Liver meridian
- Large intestine meridian
It is considered a gentle cognitive, energetic, somatic, technique that is designed to calm the mind and body.
EFT tapping has been shown to be effective in reducing distressing thoughts and limiting beliefs. Without a doubt there is significant research to show that tapping can create positive emotional states. Above all, this amazing technique can calm the amygdala in the brain. This is the “fight, flight, freeze” response. Tapping is designed to help restore energy balance to the mind and body and to help to reduce stress levels.
EFT can help reduce stress
Undoubtedly, stress is toxic to your immune system. Specifically, when you’re stressed, your immune system can have difficulty defending itself. Therefore, you may be more susceptible to infections or disease. Consequently, tapping can help to lower stress, so your immune system can begin to work more effectively!
In addition, EFT can also help with:
- Anxious feelings
- Not sleeping
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Reducing stress
- Weight issues/Cravings
- Relationship challenges
- Procrastination
- Grief
- Feelings of insecurity
All of these issues have one thing in common
STRESS!!
EFT tapping can be an effective stress relieving technique. In short, it can be used by clients’ in-between sessions. This remarkable technique makes it possible to bring down stress levels. More importantly, tapping can allow you to overcome limiting beliefs. Beliefs that may be holding you back.
How Can I Use EFT?
Certainly, you can use tapping daily. Specifically, it can help to reduce your stress levels and restore emotional balance.
Indeed, many people also use EFT Tapping in combination with protocols from their doctor or therapist. In this case, you would want to let your health professional know what additional steps you are taking to support your wellbeing.
EFT Tapping Research
Over 100 studies
Additionally, there are close to 100 studies (and more everyday) that show EFT can be an effective technique for many different conditions.
Below is a summary of a significant research study examining the impact of EFT tapping on the stress hormone cortisol. To read the full abstract click on the link below.
“According to a press release from the Foundation for Epigenetic Medicine, “A study published in the prestigious Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, the oldest peer-reviewed psychology journal in the United States, found that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) lowered the major stress hormone cortisol significantly more than other interventions tested.”
” In a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard of scientific research), 83 subjects were randomly assigned to a single hour-long session of EFT, talk therapy, or rest. Their cortisol levels were measured via a saliva test before and after the session. Cortisol is the “master hormone” regulating many aspects of the body’s stress response mechanisms…”
“The results showed that cortisol levels in the rest and therapy groups declined by an average of 14%, while the EFT group declined 24%. The decline in this physiological marker of stress was also significantly correlated with a decline in anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms as measured by a standard psychological assessment tool.”
EFT Tapping has also been shown to reduce the impact of negative emotional memories. Consequently, when distressing thought or memories are reduced or removed, the body’s energy system can rebalance itself.
Research Shows Tapping Can Reduce Your Stress and So Much More!
EFT International has a free downloadable manual that explains the process in detail.
Most importantly, EFT is being researched more and more. It’s clear from the research that it can reduce your stress levels. Being in a woman in a codependent relationship with an addict or alcoholic is unquestionably stressful. While it is not possible to provide any guarantees, people report experiencing positive results with EFT
Clinical trials and research studies:
- Reduction in Cortisol
- Reduction in anxiety with long term results
- Reducing Food Cravings
- Chronic Health Conditions
- PTSD
- Physical health
- “Summing It Up”
I would love to hear from you! I offer a free 20-minute consultation in order to answer any questions you might have and to determine if EFT tapping is something you would be interested in and to mutually decide if my coaching services are a good fit for you. You can schedule that here by clicking the yellow button below.
To contact me by email, please click the “contact me” button below.
Lynn Hoyland EFT Tapping Coach
Phoenix, AZ
925-421-6873
Disclosure While Lynn Hoyland is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Arizona, she only offers her coaching services on this website as an Accredited Certified EFT Practitioner. Therefore, her coaching services are separate from and not part of her psychotherapy practice and they are not licensed by the state of Arizona. Lynn Hoyland will not advise, diagnose, treat, or manage mental health disorders. Further, you understand that while she is a LMFT, it does not suggest or imply that she is more qualified than any other practitioner providing similar EFT Tapping coaching services. Please refer to the Disclaimer for further information