Emotional Freedom Techniques
"Tapping"
I believe EFT enjoys three features that distinguish it as a fourth-wave therapy: It is a true mind/body approach in that it includes direct interventions at the level of the body; it changes brain activity very rapidly; and it has special advantages in quickly and permanently shifting outdated emotional learnings.
- Dr. Peta Stapleton
Emotional Freedom Techniques, also known as EFT or tapping, offers a holistic approach to bringing about nervous system regulation and impacting a reduction of stress effects within the body. It has been referred to as psychological acupuncture, though rather than using needles, the fingers are used to “tap” at designated acupressure points while using words to target a specific event that carries some emotional intensity. As that event is focused on, and in combination with the tapping, the emotional reaction to the event may be transformed into a more neutral event. The memory of the event itself is not being changed; it is one’s emotional response to that event that is being targeted and impacted with this technique.
There is accumulating international scientific research on the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques. To date, over 300 research articles have been published showing that tapping has a significant positive impact in many areas investigated, including food cravings and weight loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, pain, core beliefs, performance enhancement, abundance, and stress. Please see https://www.evidencebasedeft.com/ and https://www.energypsych.org/ for more information.
To date, brain imaging scans have indicated changes in areas of the brain associated with the amygdala, the brain’s fight/flight center. It has been proposed that tapping on acupressure points decreases the activation of the amygdala, meaning that the fight/flight response system is calming down, and therefore, the body can also return to a more settled, centered state.
Tapping, once learned, can be self applied by anyone, and can also be used within a therapy setting, especially in addressing more intense or significant life issues. As research within the trauma field has highlighted, trauma impacts are not only registered within the brain; there are imprints left within the body. An integrated approach to address trauma from a holistic framework may be essential in offering more sustained healing.
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If you are a business or organization looking to positively add to the culture of your organizations' effort in prioritizing overall employee well-being, I am available for consultation to provide a wellness workshop on the impact of stress and offering instruction in tapping to empower your employees. Please see the Consulting for Businesses Tab and reach out to me directly to discuss further.