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EFT TAPPING
The Definitive Guide
This is the ultimate guide to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) or ‘Tapping’, a self-help tool for personal healing.
So, if you want to:
· Become an expert in EFT Tapping,
· Use EFT for personal healing,
· Use it to effectively to coach your clients,
· Create your own successful EFT practice, or/and,
· Use it with other coaching techniques,
Then you’ll love this comprehensive guide.
Let’s get started.
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Chapter 1:
The Fundamentals of EFT
In this chapter, I will cover the fundamentals of EFT or ‘Tapping’.
Here, I will explain what EFT is and talk about its origin, basic structure, its applications, and how it is different from other practices.
Let’s get right into it.
What is EFT or ‘Tapping’?
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques. EFT Tapping, or simply ‘tapping’ is a self-help technique that combines the principles of acupressure and modern psychology.
EFT involves tapping gently with fingertips near the energy meridians located around the body, while focusing on an issue or a thought.
The idea behind this is that all thoughts — negative or positive — are forms of energy. Our thoughts affect our bodies in some way or the other.
Negative thoughts, stress, and emotional problems can create emotional blockage in our bodies. EFT helps remove or free the emotional blockages through tapping and verbal affirmations, leading to our physical and emotional wellbeing.
The Origin of EFT
EFT tapping was first introduced in the 1990’s by Gary Craig. The roots of EFT, however, can be traced back to the works of psychologist Roger Callahan.
Around the 1970’s, Dr. Callahan developed TFT, or ‘Thought Field Therapy’, by combining his knowledge in psychology with traditional Chinese medicine.
Craig, who was Dr. Callahan’s student, further worked on his version to make it simple and easy to use. Craig called his unique version ‘Emotional Freedom Techniques’ or EFT.
The Science Behind EFT
EFT is based on the concept of stimulation of energy meridians, which also forms the basis of acupressure and traditional acupuncture.
Energy meridians are the energy circuits that run throughout our bodies. Emotional problems are stored in certain parts of the brain neurologically.
Tapping on particular points, also known as meridian points on the body, generates signals that reach these parts of the brain. These signals disrupt the old neurological patterns and, thus, helps remove the negative emotions stored in them.
Applications of EFT
EFT can be executed primarily in two ways — by oneself, or through a practitioner.
A person can self-administer EFT by gently tapping on certain areas of the face and body while tuning into a specific issue.
Alternatively, a person can approach an EFT practitioner, who can facilitate the process of identifying and addressing past traumas and issues through tapping.
Difference and Similarities with Traditional Acupressure, Acupuncture, and EFT
In principle, acupressure, acupuncture, and tapping operate on the same underlying principle of stimulation of meridian endpoints.
However, there are marked differences among the three processes. Out of the three processes, acupuncture is an invasive process that uses needles to manipulate the meridians.
Acupressure and tapping work on the same principles as acupuncture but without the needles.
However, unlike acupressure which focuses on energy systems, EFT also brings attention to thought processes and verbal affirmations as part of the healing technique.
Chapter 2:
How does EFT work?
In this chapter, you will learn about the tapping points present in our body, how to tap on them to effectively perform EFT, and the sequence to follow during tapping.
Let’s get right into it.
How is EFT performed?
EFT is performed using fingertips to gently tap on the meridian points. Tapping is usually done with index and middle fingers; however, other fingers can also be used.
There is no set number of counts that you should tap.
EFT Tapping Points
There are 12 major meridians, and each meridian corresponds to an internal organ.
Out of the 12 meridians, EFT mainly focuses on the nine points mentioned here below:
- Karate Chop (KC): The small intestine meridian
- Top of the head (TH): The governing vessel
- Eyebrow (EB): The bladder meridian
- Side of the eye (SE): The gallbladder meridian
- Under the eye (UE): The stomach meridian
- Under the nose (UN): The governing vessel
- Chin (Ch): The central vessel
- Beginning of the collarbone (CB): The kidney meridian
- Under the arm (UA): The spleen meridian
The 5 steps of EFT Tapping
The basic tapping method can be divided into five steps. Let’s start with the process.
Step 1: Identify the Issue
The first step in tapping is to identify the issue or fear you want to target with EFT. For EFT to be effective, focus on only one issue at a time.
Step 2: Rate How Significant the Issue Is
After you identify your problem area, you need to rate how significant the issue is to you on an ‘intensity scale’ ranging from 1–10, with 10 being the worst or most difficult.
The scale assesses the emotional discomfort or physical pain you feel from the issue.
The scale is useful in monitoring your progress after performing a complete EFT sequence.
Step 3: Set Up the Phrase with the Right Language
Before you start tapping, you need to come up with a phrase that explains what you’re trying to address. The phrase must help you acknowledge the issue and, at the same time, have a positive affirmation to help you accept yourself despite the issue.
The structure of a basic setup phrase is: “Even though I have this [fill out the fear, phobia or problem you are dealing with], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
Step 4: EFT Tapping Sequence
To begin the sequence, you should start tapping your finger over the key meridian points with your fingers gently, while speaking and repeating the set-up phrase to keep your attention focused.
Begin by tapping the Karate Chop point. Then, tap each following points:
· eyebrow,
· side of the eye,
· under the eye,
· under the nose,
· chin,
· beginning of the collarbone, and,
· under the arm.
After following this sequence, complete the process by tapping at the top of the head point.
Keep repeating the phrase while tapping to keep maintain on your problem area. Repeat this sequence two or three times.
Step 5: Re-rate the Issue
Once you complete the tapping sequence, revisit how the issue is making you feel. Remember the intensity scale we used earlier? Re-rate on an ‘intensity scale’ ranging from 1–10, with 10 being the worst or most difficult.
Compare your results with your initial rating. If you haven’t reached 0, repeat this process.
Chapter 3:
Tapping Variations
In most tapping techniques, the nine meridian points are used. However, some other points can be tapped if the initial rounds of EFT Tapping have not brought about the desired outcomes.
Moreover, there are instances where a practitioner had to use a variation in the practice itself. Though tapping is done on oneself or by a trained practitioner on a client, EFT tapping can be done on behalf of others — especially for animals or children.
In this chapter, you will learn about surrogate tapping and how to use other tapping points and techniques to get optimum results.
Surrogate Tapping
Surrogate tapping refers to tapping on behalf of someone else. To put it simply, you tap yourself, for the benefit of someone else, imagining yourself to be that person feeling those emotions.
This could be for another person, children who can’t speak yet, or even for an animal.
For example, if you have a pet dog who is afraid of loud noises, you can tap on yourself to benefit your pet. Imagine that you are feeling what your pet is feeling when they hear loud noises.
Other Tapping Points and Routines
The Finger Points
Our fingers also have tapping points. The tapping point is in the same location for each finger and thumb, except for the ring finger.
On the index finger, the tapping point is on the side of the finger that is closest to the thumb, even at the base of the nail.
Refer to this image:
The Liver Point
This point is rarely used, as women find it a little uncomfortable. The Liver Point, for the male, is located one inch below the nipple. For the female, it is below their breast, where the underskin of the breast attaches to the chest.
The Wrist Point
This point is located on the underside of the wrist. This point can be tapped with several fingertips.
The 9 Gamut Procedure
The 9-Gamut procedure, developed by Dr. Callahan, is more complex than the basic tapping. This technique tries to engage both sides of the brain by tapping a particular point and performing a gamut of 9 brain-stimulating actions like humming, singing, counting, and others.
Locating the Gamut Point
The Gamut is located on the back of either hand. To locate the point, first put a finger between the ring and the little finger, right at the base. Now, move your finger about half an inch toward your wrist.
This is the Gamut Point.
Sequence to be Followed in 9-Gamut Method
Locate the Gamut Point and, while tapping the Gamut point continuously, perform the following nine actions:
- Eyes closed.
- Eyes open.
- Eyes down right.
- Eyes down.
- Roll your eyes in a circle in a clockwise direction.
- Roll your eyes in a circle in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Hum 2 seconds of a song.
- Count rapidly from 1 to 5.
- Hum 2 seconds of a song again.
Chapter 4:
Benefits of EFT Tapping
EFT has a wide range of benefits that often goes beyond the emotional issues it tries to address. Tapping is believed to regulate the nervous system and boost the immune system.
In this chapter, you will learn about the benefits and limitations of EFT.
Benefits of Using EFT Tapping vs. Other Alternatives
There are multiple benefits of using EFT vis-à-vis other alternative therapies.
EFT is simple, painless, and non-invasive. It is easy to learn and, with proper practice and guidance, anyone can use it to heal themselves. It is also not expensive to learn as a self-healing technique. In some cases, it can be less time-consuming than other therapies.
What does EFT treat?
It can be used to manage a range of psychological problems and physical pain. Tapping has been proven to help cope with conditions such as anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, stress, phobias, food cravings, and addiction.
Can EFT treat serious chronic ailments?
Serious illnesses, at times, have both physical and emotional ramifications. EFT can play an important role in supporting the healing process by alleviating stress and reducing the side effects of medications.
For serious illnesses, EFT can be used along with other treatments and therapies. It is important to remember that EFT can not substitute for the medical or mental health treatment often required for serious illnesses.
What does EFT treat?
Like many other therapies, the timeline for a desired outcome from the therapy is hard to predict. The outcome depends on multiple factors. At times, profound shifts and positive changes occur immediately, and, other times, the process takes much longer, and requires multiple sessions.
Can EFT help in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic-induced stress?
Some early research on a small group of nurses, who were exposed to substantial physical and emotional pressures during the pandemic, has indicated the effectiveness of EFT.
The study found that a brief online form of EFT on frontline workers helped in significantly reducing stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Chapter 5:
Effectiveness of EFT
This chapter will give you a snapshot of existing evidence — both scientific research and customer testimonials – that highlights the effectiveness of tapping.
In recent years, there have been a growing number of studies proving the effectiveness of tapping. Here are a few scientific studies that show how EFT helped in treating certain conditions.
Clinical Evidence Supporting EFT
EFT and its effectiveness in combating stress, depression, and anxiety have been proven by an analysis published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. The analysis found that EFT can reduce anxiety scores among adults experiencing psychological distress.
EFT has also been proven to reduce stress hormones. A 2012 study, also published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, found EFT treatments showed a decrease in levels of cortisol, which is one of the primary “stress hormones”. High levels of cortisol lead to many ailments.
A 2013 analysis found that EFT is effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found that after three EFT treatment sessions, 60 percent of the participants no longer met the PTSD clinical criteria.
A 2013 study found that EFT can help manage symptoms of headaches and chronic pain. A study published in Open Sports Sciences also found that EFT treatment helps improve athletic performance.
Tapping also helps manage weight, as studies show it helps you to cope with physical urges to binge and eat emotionally.
Celebrities who Vouch for EFT
Beyond the scientific studies and research data, there are also testimonials and interviews of celebrities who have claimed to benefit from EFT tapping.
Many celebrities have used it, and also spoke about EFT being effective in helping them overcome their fear of flying. Noted among those are Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, and actress Whoopi Goldberg.
Singer Lily Allen has also spoken about how she turned EFT to help her overcome her addiction to chocolate, after other therapies failed.
Meghan Markle is also a big believer of EFT.
Footballer Michael Ball is also known to have used EFT to overcome performance anxiety.
Noted athletes have also used it and vouch for its effectiveness; Olympic athlete Bralon Taplin said in an interview that he used tapping before races.
Criticisms of EFT
Some criticism against EFT is that it offers no real benefit as a therapy beyond the placebo effect. Critics also argue that the theory behind EFT has no scientific basis and is not plausible.
Some critics have also suggested that the studies in favour of EFT are biased. They are published in journals that are overly friendly to alternative medicine and its practitioners.
Risks and Side Effects of EFT
EFT is a relatively safe process and unlikely to have adverse side effects.
EFT tapping does not involve needles, like acupuncture, so the risks are low. As a process, EFT requires you to remember some past events that may lead to elevated emotions. However, elevated emotions are also indications that the EFT process is working.
Even though EFT has shown positive results in helping with certain conditions, it should not replace or should not substitute standard treatment for people with serious mental disorders.
It should best be thought of as an adjunct therapy, used in combination with other therapies.
Chapter 6:
Turning EFT Tapping Into a Career
In this chapter, you will learn how you can effectively start your own EFT business.
It will give you an idea about the courses you can take, the certifications available, how to set up and market your business, and how to get more clients.
Why would someone need an EFT Practitioner?
Even though performing EFT looks easy, and there are a lot of online tutorials, it sometimes becomes crucial for a client to take professional help. Clients often find it difficult to express traumatic or painful experiences, or they are unable to reach the core of the issue that is troubling them.
Many times, there are subconscious misplaced beliefs that hold them back from resolving issues.
Who can become an EFT Practitioner, and is certification necessary?
You can become an EFT practitioner after obtaining some training. Even without any background in mental health practices, you can enrol for courses offering EFT certificates. Professionals who are already working in the mental health domain or integrative medical care can also learn EFT, to add tapping into their existing practice.
Though EFT is not regulated in any country, it is advisable to get a certification. Doing a full EFT practitioner course would make you a certified practitioner, and this would enhance your market value. Certification helps the practitioner demonstrate a certain level of skill, experience, and competency.
How to Become A Certified EFT Practitioner
EFT is simple to learn, and not very time-consuming, either. It takes somewhere between a few weeks to a year to get an EFT certification.
Courses Available
There are multiple institutes that offer EFT certification. Most of the courses don’t have any pre-requisite qualification requirements. However, some of them expect you to take basic lessons in energy healing before enrolling for EFT.
The certification programmes include one-on-one consultations with mentors, group workshops, seminars and webinars. Some programmes also require you to clock minimum hours of counselling experience before you can receive the certificate.
The course fee for certification may range between USD 800 to USD 3999.
You can check some of the institutes here below who are offering certifications:
Certification from EFT Universe
Price: USD 3999
Location: In-Person or Online
Program Type: Full Certification
Duration: 12 months
Prerequisite: No professional experience required. However, they expect you to enrol for some of the basic courses before certification.
Certification from EFT Training Institute
Price: USD 3000+
Location: Online or In-Person.
Program Type: Full Certification
Duration: over a year
Prerequisite: For the advanced and full certification process, you must begin with the Level 1-2 workshop.
Certification for The Center for EFT
Price: USD 1999
Location: Online
Program Type: Full Certification
Duration: That depends completely on you. Students take somewhere between 3 weeks to 12 weeks.
Prerequisite: Nothing
You can also check out The Gary Craig Official EFT Training Centers for his Optimal EFT Training Membership (Online)
If you are still unsure and don’t want to commit to a course right away, a free course or one of Udemy EFT courses.
Finding A Niche
Like any other field of work, finding the right niche is important to create your profile and create a dedicated client base.
As you are now aware, EFT tapping can be used to help in a range of conditions. There are wide areas in which you can specialise — weight loss, de-addiction, anxiety, to name just a few. Specializing in a particular area would help you position yourself as an expert in that domain.
Marketing Your Practice
With the prolonged lockdown due to the ongoing pandemic, everything has now shifted online. Clients are now taking EFT sessions over Skype, Zoom, and phone calls.
To reach out to a wider set of global clients, it is essential that you create an impressive and informative website and display your special skills, experience, and specializations.
Moreover, EFT doesn’t have geographic or licensing restrictions (as of now), which will make it easier for you to reach out to a wider client base.
Things to Avoid While Marketing your Practice
Though marketing is important, you should keep very careful about using certain terms while advertising your expertise. Though EFT in itself is not a regulated sector, using terms like ’therapist’ and ‘counsellor’ could be misleading, unless you have additional expertise/licenses in psychotherapy or medicine that allows you to use such terms.
It is best to avoid claims of guaranteed results for your services, as a lot depends on the client himself/herself when it comes to the actual results.
To know more about becoming an EFT Practitioner, read my previous blog on this topic.
Chapter 7:
How to Design your Session
As a practitioner, it is important to plan how you want to conduct the session, what your ideal set-up is, and the cautions you want to exercise.
This chapter will help you understand how you can prepare for your client’s session.
Designing your Own Sessions
There are a few key things that one must keep in mind before designing a session for a client. EFT Practitioner Craig Weiner suggests tapping sessions should also have a warm-up tapping session and a wind-down session.
Here are factors to keep in mind while designing an EFT Tapping session:
- Pre-session homework is very essential as it will help you understand whether the issue the client is trying to resolve falls under the purview of EFT.It is advisable to ask your client fill up and submit an online form at least 24 hours before the session, so that you have time to review it.
- The Warm Up: During the warm session, you can establish a rapport with the client and make him/her feel that it is a safe space to share their issues. This also offers the opportunity for you to set the clients expectations, set the ground rules and explain and demonstrate to the client what a tapping looks like.
- The Tapping Work: This is the time when you explore the client’s issue and tap while receding the phrase.
- The Wind Down: Remember during the session your client may experience elevated emotions , so it is very important that your client wind down adequately before he leaves the session.
Create your Set-Up
It is important to create a peaceful set-up properly before a client session. Here are some tips to do so, and other things to keep in mind:
- Keep all phones on silent.
- Keep electrical devices away from the body.
- Ensure you keep a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign outside the door to make people aware of an ongoing session.
- Be specific with language when using EFT. Since tapping also combines verbal affirmations, it is important to frame your affirmations correctly. The client must be focused on the issue of concern when using EFT.
- During a session, both you and your client need to stay hydrated.
- If you are conducting two sessions back-to-back, ensure to shake off the negative energy from previous client engagements.
Chapter 8:
Making your Business Pandemic-proof
There is no doubt that the prolonged lockdown and isolation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic had given rise to unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety in populations across the world.
Uncertainty around the pandemic has triggered what came to be known as the ‘Covid-anxiety’. As mentioned in earlier examples, EFT tapping has been proven effective in helping people deal with anxiety, stress, and depression.
In this chapter, we will see how an EFT practitioner can not only make his business pandemic-proof, but also help clients emotionally affected by the pandemic.
Can EFT be done online? How does one go about this?
Yes, EFT can be successfully conducted online.
The online session works pretty much the same as the in-person session. It follows the same process of tapping and affirmations in a particular sequence. The only difference between face-to-face sessions and an online session is that, of course, there is no physical contact between the therapist and client. The client mirrors the practitioners tapping.
Things you Need to Start your Online Practice
You need a secure and fast internet connection, a webcam, laptop or computer with an in-built camera, and a microphone with speakers.
You will also need to subscribe to either Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Team, to conduct your online sessions securely.
You can read more about starting an online practice here.
Precautions During Online Sessions
In most cases, online sessions would be as effective as in-person sessions.
However, some issues such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) could be challenging to treat through online sessions. Children under the age of 10, or elderly may require the physical presence of an EFT therapist.
Chapter 9:
Additional Resources
This chapter contains many useful resources, free manuals, and website resources that will give you more insights into EFT.
Free Resources
The EFT International Free Tapping Manual is an important and free resource if you are looking to read and understand more about EFT.
Websites
There is much more in-depth information available, you can visit the following websites to stay up to date about the new developments in the field of EFT:
EFT Universe is an important resource which contains the archives of the international EFT community, and offers training, certifications, etc. It also has resources on Clinical EFT.
toolboxtime helps you with resources around day-to-day emotional and physical challenges.
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology – Offers published research and review articles in Energy Psychology on their website.
EFT International offers a framework for EFT training. As of March 2021, it had 1650 active members.
The official website of Gary Craig also offers a lot of free resources and has comprehensive FAQs around EFT.
Apps
The Tapping Solution app offers hundreds of tapping meditations and other resources.
It is available on both iOS and Android. It is rated 4.8 on the Apple store and has over 4 million sessions completed so far, ranging in length from 5 minutes (a quick session) to 20 minutes (to guide your deeper work).
The Tapping Q&A app is a Q&A podcast on tapping solutions. It is rated 4.9 on Apple store and is available on both iOS and Android.
Tap with Brad app created by Brad Yates has hundreds of short EFT/tapping videos.
GO EFT tapping app created by Sara Bern gives you a fabulous help tool. In the app you can enter your issue and the intensity of it, and get support with guided tapping.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this guide!
You are now equipped to leverage this simple yet powerful technique of tapping to heal yourself or create a thriving EFT Practice.
Did you try tapping on yourself? How did you fare?
What unique situation are you planning to use the Tapping for?
Is there anything else that you still want to know about EFT?
Do share your thoughts and leave a comment here – I would love to hear from you.
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Your posts are always well-formatted and easy to read.