EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping). By tapping on a series of acupressure points, you can calm your brain’s amygdalae and essentially rewire your brain from going directly to the fight or flight reaction. This modality is effective when people have stress and anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, and PTSD. Once you are triggered into a reaction, tapping on the points can help to ease the fight or flight reaction that happens and the person is essentially reliving the response they had at the initial event. Using EFT can alleviate these responses and retrain the brain not to go directly to the fight or flight response which often can show as a panic attack.
EFT is supported by the US Veterans Administration. “A meta-analysis examined the effect of treatment with EFT on PTSD. It aggregated the statistics from 7 randomized controlled trials and found that EFT had a very large treatment effect (Sebastian & Nelms, 2016).” The same group studied the use of EFT on depression with very similar results.
EFT is also effective in reducing cravings, overcoming limiting beliefs, and establishing connections, as well as many other issues. Clearing out the negative (the truth of how we feel) makes room for the positive.
One of the “basic recipes” for tapping is the Question Mark (see photo below). These are a series of points, starting with the eyebrow point, that are on the face and collarbone and finishing at the top of the head where all your meridians intersect. Meridians are used by acupuncturists and acupressurists, and are the energy network of the body- channels that transport energy. Tapping on these points can help release any blockages to this network.
An experienced EFT Practitioner can offer many different techniques best suited for the individual client. They can avoid re-traumatizing their client by using specific techniques for gentle approaches to sensitive topics and help find the cause of what is triggering a fight or flight reaction. Each session is customized based on the client’s needs.
Using EFT regularly can help maintain a healthy energy system. It is a safe and beneficial way to balance your emotions and practice “energy hygiene”. EFT is an ideal way to practice self care.
I am a certified EFT Professional Practitioner who is experienced in working with many different types of clients. If you would like to find out more information, contact me to schedule a complimentary 30 minute consultation and session at leahmckain.com.
Leah McKain