What is EFT?

Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT, is a self-help method that combines elements of cognitive and exposure therapy with acupressure. EFT is often called “tapping” because when you’re feeling stressed, EFT has you tap with your fingertips on your body’s acupressure points.

This rapidly reduces stress hormones like cortisol and turns off the body’s fight-flight response. As you recondition your previously triggered stress responses, new emotional responses are created. From this calm and centered place, new possibilities can emerge, offering fresh perspectives and solutions for challenges, as well as pathways to reach your goals.

Is EFT safe?

EFT is considered a "generally safe treatment," with side effects being uncommon. The process encourages participants to focus on negative emotions like anger, anxiety, unease, fear, and sadness. While this can be challenging, particularly without the guidance of a certified practitioner, most people who undergo EFT report experiencing significant relief, calmness, and a boost in happiness.

Is EFT evidence-based?

EFT has been studied in over 200 clinical trials, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, PTSD, pain, phobias, and many physical conditions. Randomized controlled trials, regarded as the "gold standard" in research, show that EFT can quickly alleviate the emotional impact of memories and events that trigger distress. Clinical EFT is an evidence-based approach recognized for its effectiveness and is included in the continuing medical education programs for psychologists (through the American Psychological Association), nurses (through the American Nurses Credentialing Commission), and doctors (through the American Medical Association).

How can EFT help me?

EFT could be right for you if you are looking for a self-help method to potentially manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges, along with physical issues such as headaches, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, muscle tension, high blood pressure and more. Research shows that EFT reduces stress and stress is the common denominator in most diseases.

Your first experience takes only a few minutes, and you’ll likely feel different afterwards. You’ll be amazed at just how powerful and effective it can be.

Is EFT effective done online?

EFT can be just as effective when done online as in person, with studies showing no significant difference in outcomes between the two approaches, meaning you can generally expect similar results from online EFT sessions compared to in-person ones; both methods have been shown to be beneficial for managing anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues.

Will I need more than 1 session?

Whether you'll need just one session depends on the complexity of your issues. For simpler concerns, three sessions may be sufficient, but for more complex issues, additional sessions might be necessary. EFT is an effective tool for managing stress, addressing problems as they arise, and working toward your goals. Some clients opt to continue with EFT sessions regularly with a qualified practitioner for ongoing support.

Why does EFT focus on the negative?

When using EFT, we briefly focus on the issue causing distress and use the tapping points to send calming signals to the limbic brain, which is the part of the brain where our subconscious beliefs are stored.

By recreating uncomfortable emotions (either by thinking about the issue or problem) while tapping, we can calm those feelings and reduce stress related to the problem. This process helps us detach emotionally from the issue and can even eliminate limiting beliefs, like “I hate public speaking,” when done correctly.

The key is to tune in to the problem that’s blocking progress in order for tapping to be effective. The words we use simply help us connect to the right energy frequency in our system, so the tapping can work its magic. The words themselves aren't what heal; it's EFT that clears, calms, and helps shift the subconscious perspective.

Is EFT the answer to all my problems? Do I still need to see my doctor or mental health

EFT has been shown in numerous case studies and randomized controlled trials to be effective for a wide range of issues, though it may not be suitable for everyone or every situation. If you are dealing with long-term or severe emotional or physical trauma, it is important to consult with your physician or a licensed mental health professional. EFT is a great addition to your healthcare regime, but it is not a substitute for additional medical or mental health treatment.