How EFT Tapping Works
In my humble opinion, EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is THE best, quickest and most effective therapy technique there is. Period! I say this with absolute confidence having used this modality since 2007 with 100’s and 100’s of clients. A question I often get asked is how EFT tapping works?
The approach of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known simply as ‘tapping’, is based upon a combination of elements, some from well-established scientific methods. Whether or not you recognise or understand these does not matter, you can still get great benefits and results when working with a skilled practitioner.
EFT tapping is a combination of:
- Holistic mind-body understanding
- Dialogue or traditional ‘talk’ therapy methods
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
- And, meridian therapy stimulated by a light tapping of the fingers at designated points – this is likened to an emotional version of acupuncture, but without needles.
Most importantly, EFT ‘tapping’ is innate in our body’s healing system, and therefore inherent in our daily behaviour … this is nothing new, strange, least of all mumbo-jumbo “new age” stuff!
Think about this, we unconsciously use the following impulsive reflex actions virtually every day of our lives. Have you ever found yourself automatically doing either one, or more of these seemingly silly things? Perhaps all of them?
- Rapidly tapped your fingertips on a countertop or table when you are felt annoyed, impatient, irritated, stressed or angry? This action usually calms one.
- Tapped your forehead when trying to remember something? Then a few moments later, you suddenly remembered the information you had forgotten.
- Tapped or rubbed your temples when you have had a headache? A while later, your headache has eased, or completely disappeared.
- Or, upon getting a fright or hearing bad or shocking news, have you automatically tapped your fingers or patted your chest with an open hand? This action usually provides rapid relief, and calms one down.
If you have done either one or more of these automatic reflex actions, then you have been tapping without even realising it. This rather silly or even strange phenomena is actually your body’s innate wisdom at work. It is an unconscious, autonomic reflex that helps to bring your body back into homeostasis – taking you out of a heightened stressed state, and back into a calm more relaxed state. Thus enabling your body to function optimally. Essentially, this is how EFT tapping works.
If you are familiar with the fight-flight or freeze response, tapping really helps to immediately, and rapidly calm both mind and body. Tapping takes one out of the sympathetic (fight flight response), and helps restore the parasympathetic state of rest and digest. Since these reactions occur well below our conscious awareness, they are governed by the autonomic nervous system. And, tapping aids this entire process to occur naturally. Hence, EFT tapping is well known as a stress relief technique, and for its stress relief benefits.
Essentially, EFT tapping is so easily applied that even a child can learn the simple protocol. Used frequently, EFT tapping naturally becomes the ‘go-to’ tools for one’s emotional freedom – hence the name, Emotional Freedom Techniques! As a result, people generally experience immediate and rapid, long lasting relief from their emotional issues. EFT tapping is a great tool for managing mental health issues too.
What is involved in EFT tapping?
How EFT tapping works is very simple, and straightforward. The process incorporates some dialogue whilst simultaneously tapping lightly with the fingertips on specific points of the body. This comprehensive method follows a specified routine of tapping points on the body, mainly around the hands, head and upper torso, which is repeated round after round. With the guidance of the practitioner, you tap on your own body.
While working with and through specific ‘issues’ this powerful tapping routine unblocks any emotional disruptions or physical discomforts held within the body. These disruptions could be anything from negative emotions, memories, experiences or even physical aches and pains. It is now a well known and accepted fact: unresolved emotional or psychological issues impact the physical body, often resulting in illness. Stress is well known to be the number one cause of most illnesses and diseases.
How does EFT Tapping differ from other therapy modalities?
Firstly, EFT tapping is a complimentary technique, meaning it can be applied in conjunction with any traditional practise, processes or procedures. Secondly, once understood, EFT tapping can also be self applied with great effect. EFT tapping is a revolutionary departure from conventional techniques.
Sadly, many people have tried conventional therapy for months or years in the hopes of attaining relief from their fears, anxiety, stress, anger, guilt, depression, traumatic experiences etc and they make little progress. Often investing much money and time in emotionally painful or traumatic sessions and in the end received little or no relief at all.
Quite often in just one or two EFT tapping sessions great progress is made and the results are usually permanent.
Why is this so?
EFT tapping is a comprehensive and holistic approach including body, emotions and the mind – we do not view each as separate but include every aspect when tapping through emotional issues or events.
For example, if you have a fear of spiders you’ll feel the fear in your body because your heart may race, palms sweat, stomach goes into a knot, breathing is sharpened etc all the while your mind is either saying ‘run like hell’ or ‘come on, its only a small furry insect: stop being so pathetic’ … nonetheless the fear is real and terrifying! In this example we’ll tap on all the different aspects – emotional, physical and mental.
I believe it is this inclusive holistic approach that makes EFT tapping SO profoundly effective. Today, EFT tapping is being viewed as a ‘universal healing tool’ because it is at the cutting edge of both Energy Psychology and Energy Medicine practises, and is thus being incorporated by virtually all professions including the medical fraternity.
“EFT is destined to be a top healing tool for the 21st century.”
Cheryl Richardson
What can EFT ‘tapping’ assist?
EFT tapping can be applied to any and all negative and toxic emotions, events and memories. As one metaphysical practitioner put it, ‘we are the sum total of all our thoughts and emotions.’ Unfortunately, negative emotions, events or memories result in our unhappiness, poor self esteem, a lack of self belief or self worth, feeling disillusioned, depressed etc.
ALL of which can, and does, profoundly affect the physical body, and if left untreated may result in illness … hence, negative emotions are deemed as toxic. Stress has been sited as the #1 silent killer globally because its responsible for up to 90% of all illnesses and diseases (or doctor’s visits) ~ as such, stress is toxic with dire consequences.
EFT tapping is a technique which is easily applied, giving you the tools to your own Emotional Freedom! As a result, people generally experience immediate or rapid, long lasting relief from emotional issues. To find out what is involved in an EFT ‘tapping’ session, click here.
If you have any questions about how eft tapping works, feel free to contact me here
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International EFT ‘tapping’ Endorsements
EFT ‘tapping’ has been endorsed by many prominent medical practitioners and highly respected wellness individuals including Dr Joseph Mercola, and the late Dr Wayne Dyer and Louise L. Hay too … here’s what they have to say:
Bruce Lipton, PhD (Author of The Biology of Belief) – “EFT is a simple, powerful process that can profoundly influence gene activity, health and behavior.”
Candace Pert, PhD (Author of Molecules of Emotion) – “EFT is at the forefront of the new healing movement.”
Carol Look, Intuitive Energy Healer, Psychotherapist (Author of Attracting Abundance with EFT) – “EFT works because human beings have an energy system.”
Cheryl Richardson (Author of The Unmistakable Touch of Grace) – “EFT is destined to be a top healing tool for the 21st Century”
Deepak Chopra, MD and alternative medical advocate – “EFT offers great healing benefits.”
Donna Eden (Co-Author of The Promise of Energy Psychology) – “EFT is easy, effective, and produces amazing results. I think it should be taught in elementary school.”
Eric Robins, MD (Co-author of Your Hands Can Heal You) – “I frequently use EFT for my patients with great results.”
Louise Hay (Author of You Can Heal Your Life) – “Have you tried Tapping? I truly believe that it is a wonderful and life-changing tool. If you’re not familiar with the technique, it is a wonderful tool that works on a variety of issues, from pain relief, physical issues, and weight loss to attracting abundance, clearing limiting beliefs and healing the past.Tapping is a powerful tool that can truly heal, allowing forgiveness, love, and acceptance into your life, particularly when used along with affirmations.”
Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup of the Soul series – “EFT is the most powerful new transformational technology to come along in years … “
Kris Carr, New York bestselling author of Crazy, Sexy Kitchen – “Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has vastly improved the quality of my life and work. Don’t miss this healing opportunity.”
Norm Shealy, MD (Author of Soul Medicine) – “Meridian-based therapies such as EFT…can have effects out of all proportion to their cost and complexity.”
Dr Mercola, founder of Mercola.com – “Nothing comes closer to ‘magic’ than the positive results I have personally witnessed using EFT on thousands of my patients who suffered from physical and emotional pain and illness … “
Dr Wayne W. Dyer (Author of multiple best sellers including ‘Wishes Fulfilled’) – “Put away your skepticism, this really works. I have … had great results with tapping in my own life.”
EFT ‘Tapping’ Testimonials
“Hi Bridget ….just to let you know that I had the most amazing day yesterday and (name withheld) got a room in the new private res so moving her soonest….feeling so positive and empowered by our session on Monday!! Thank you so much!! It’s amazing when blocked and negative energy is released….how liberating it feels thank you thank you thank you!!” Nicky, Pietermaritzburg (One session only)
“My life got turned around in one afternoon, it’s as if you cleared years of blockages in one sitting, and I can be sceptical of certain alternative healing methods. I still can’t believe that such a simple, non-invasive healing can have such dramatic results. I can’t wait to tap again with you and see what else I have been burying deep inside my stubborn brain … if only everyone knew about this! Best wishes.” Byron, Cape Town (One session only)
“Sometimes what we thought was the problem isn’t – Bridget helped me to ‘sort’ through the self imposed fog I found myself in. I went to see her once and the result was immediate and life changing. I learnt to be objective and distance myself and see my value and move into my true space. THANK YOU Bridget XXX (You DID change my life Bridget. So grateful. Want you to help lots more people).” Lucia, Johannesburg (One session only)
“Being in the complimentary health profession myself, I have come to recognise the importance of releasing emotional ‘baggage’ that keeps us from being whole. EFT helped me to shift some deep-seated behavioural patterns that I was oblivious to as it had become so much a part of who I was. Bridget has a keen sense of guiding the process to those deep layers that we keep hidden from ourselves and she does this gently and with a great deal of compassion. What I found so beneficial is that once the emotion was revealed, it was not necessary to spend days picking at old wounds like one would do in conventional therapy. Instead I acknowledged the emotion and then moved on swiftly and elegantly without having to dwell on all the unpleasantness. I would recommend EFT and Bridget to anyone who wishes to expand their consciousness.” Laura, therapist, Johannesburg (Two sessions)
“My sessions with you were without a shadow of a doubt the most profound shift I had ever experienced. After the shame of having to close my business, and the resulting depression it plunged me into, you were the only one who managed to get me to re-frame, regenerate and rejuvenate on more levels than one. It was like the Phoenix rising from the ashes. You literally saved my life ……” Kirsten, Johannesburg (Two sessions)
More client testimonials on topics such as addictions, anger management, anxiety,
depression, trauma etc can be found here