EFT Therapists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is the Emotional Freedom Technique?

Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a method some people use to help manage emotions and troubling thoughts. They may also use it to lower their stress and anxiety. For example, EFT may help calm you if you're feeling angry. Or it may help ease your thoughts if you're worried about something. EFT is also called tapping. This is because to do EFT, you tap your fingertips on certain points on your hand, head, and torso. The points you tap on for EFT are like those used in acupuncture. Experts don't agree on how well EFT works. And it shouldn't replace going to see a health professional for serious issues like depression and trauma.

How Does Emotional Freedom Technique Work?

EFT works with the body’s internal energy systems. It uses gentle stimulation of the meridians used in treatments such as acupuncture, while simultaneously focusing on the current difficulty. This dual attention helps your brain process whatever might be troubling you. Western science has historically been skeptical of approaches such as acupuncture. However, recent research has revealed the existence of the primo vascular system corresponding to many of the meridian points. Further, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), studies have observed that EFT can make significant changes in brain function.

When we are stressed, the way our brain works changes. Activity in the pre-frontal cortex (linked to memory formation and retrieval, and cognitive processing) reduces — it goes “off-line”. At the same time, activity in the amygdala increases. The amygdala is like the body’s fire alarm, responding automatically to what it thinks is a danger. When the amygdala becomes activated, it signals our bodies to ‘standby for action’. Our bodies release stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) that prepare us for fight or flight.

As evidenced by fMRI scans, EFT calms the amygdala. Thus, reducing our arousal, and bringing us back to a quieter, more resourceful, state. Because you were focussing on the issue at the same as tapping, and your body relaxed, your amygdala learns that it need not set off the ‘fire alarm’. So, the next time you encounter whatever the issue might be, it has much less effect. Thus, emotional freedom technique leads to a permanent change in how you respond to the original problem.

Does EFT Tapping Work?

Studies show that EFT tapping can improve psychological disorders. Further research is needed to compare EFT techniques with standard treatments such as talk therapy. Most EFT studies rely on feedback from participants, but at least one study found that EFT tapping had measurable results on the body. Participants had lower heart rates and blood pressure after tapping. They also had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.

Some say that improvement in symptoms could be because of a placebo effect. When subjects want to believe that a certain treatment will work, their feedback may not be reliable. Another possibility is that EFT tapping works because of other techniques embedded in the process, such as a special way of breathing.

Some researchers have tested the effectiveness of tapping by setting up "sham" studies in which subjects performed tasks similar to but not identical to EFT tapping. One analysis of these studies supported the effectiveness of EFT by showing that sham actions were not as effective as EFT tapping.

What are the 2 Aspects of EFT Tapping?

EFT Tapping is a therapeutic modality that combines two aspects: talk and touch.

Talk:

Communication is the most important aspect of EFT. Tapping is a kind of communication, like many other therapies and healing modalities. The importance of talking in therapy has been recognized by the development of a branch of psychotherapy known as Talk Therapy. Talking about feelings and emotions may actually assist people in changing their perspectives and evaluating situations. Conversational features are frequently included in approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Touch:

Because touching is one of the five love languages, it is a vital aspect of EFT Tapping. Touch, which conveys compassion, affection, and presence, can be a vital component of healing.

What Can EFT Tapping Help With?

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a talk and touch therapy that can help you with a variety of conditions, including:

1. Stress

2. PTSD

3. Chronic Pains

4. Nervousness

5. Weight Issues

6. Anxiety

7. Depression

8. Anger

Tapping is most effective when utilized as a part of a comprehensive therapy strategy. It's simple to incorporate into a variety of existing treatment strategies for mental and physical health issues. Its application isn't restricted to the topics mentioned above. Tapping can also be used to improve overall well-being as part of mindfulness practice.Tapping has also been shown to aid in the healing of traumatic experiences, alcoholism, and addiction, as well as the improvement of well-being in people who are ill.

Is Emotional Freedom Technique Evidence Based?

Research shows that clinical EFT is an evidence-based practice for anxiety, depression, phobias, and PTSD. Clinical EFT differs from the EFT you might perform on your own; it follows a specific procedure and must be led by a healthcare professional who’s been certified in the method.

What are the Differences Between EFT and EMDR?

- EFT involves tapping certain meridian points. In EMDR, tapping on both sides of the body is done bilaterally.

- Other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, alternating audio signals, and vibrating items to grasp, are available in EMDR but not in EFT.

- Eye movements in EMDR appear to be highly evocative, bringing to mind disturbing images and emotions, which might sometimes put the client in danger of getting overwhelmed.

- EMDR therapy, unlike EFT, does not focus on modifying the feelings, thoughts, or behaviors stirred by a painful issue. Rather it allows the brain to continue its natural healing process.

- Tapping appears to be less likely to elicit strong emotions and abreactions. In addition, the EFT technique includes steps for enhanced safety. These techniques include "tearless trauma," "movie technique," and "following the physical feelings" (also known as "chasing the agony"). All of them are methods for approaching a painful experience in a more indirect and safe manner.

- The mechanism of action of EMDR can be explained totally in terms of standard neurobiology and psychological principles. Although the operation of EFT can be explained in comparable conventional ways, there are additional energy psychology modalities and phenomena related to the subtle energy system that cannot be explained in this way

How Long Does It Take For EFT To Work?

EFT works instantly. If you focus on the negative feeling and tap, the feeling will lessen. Tapping for the negative emotions in our daily lives helps ease our stress and live happier lives, but it won’t solve our problems permanently. There are skills you can use in EFT, however, to clear the reasons for the way you are feeling instead of just easing the negative feeling. Using EFT with the reasons can then permanently clear your learned negative reactions.

How Much Does An EFT Session Cost?

Fees for each session will often range from $60 to $185 USD, with the average rate falling between $80 and $125. While these may be standard fees for the professional services you desire, keep in mind that EFT therapy or counseling is typically faster than traditional therapy or counseling, and thus may be more cost-effective in the long term. Deeper issues, on the other hand, frequently necessitate long-term treatment, which should be planned for accordingly if this is the case with you. Depending on your insurance carrier's professional qualifications and regional limits, reimbursement for EFT-oriented psychotherapy may or may not be available.

How to Find a Therapist Who Promotes EFT Tapping?

The beauty of EFT, more likely known as Emotional Freedom Techniques, is that it is a strong self-healing tool that anyone can learn and use on their own to bring themselves back to a state of calm and creative thinking in the midst of emotional upheaval. Most people learn the basic EFT Technique in their initial sessions with a practitioner, either on the Internet or via a practitioner. There are, however, a number of gentle Tapping Techniques that can help with broader concerns, prior experiences, and trauma.

If you wish to move past prior trauma, major events, or life-long habits, it's ideal to work with a professional EFT Practitioner who can help you release these events without re-traumatizing yourself. Working with a practitioner can speed up healing and development, as well as provide clients with the tools and support they need to tap effectively on their own.

While there is no single directory for therapists who facilitate tapping, you can seek someone who can do so using an online directory. Many therapists who use somatic or energetic approaches are often able to help with tapping as well. You can discover eft tapping therapists online, or you can seek advice from your existing doctor, psychiatrist, or other medical professionals.

Make sure the left therapy provider is a registered mental health expert if you wish to employ tapping as part of a mental health treatment plan. As long as they've had basic training, licensed mental health practitioners can offer to tap. While numerous EFT universities provide credentials, they are primarily received by people who are not mental health practitioners.

If you want to try EFT, choose a therapist who is well-versed in the techniques, methods, and approaches used in EFT. This person should be able to assist you in recognizing, addressing, and managing your emotions in any setting. EFT can be provided by certified tapping practitioners, but they cannot provide treatment.

The History of EFT

EFT tapping’s origins are connected to Thought Field Therapy (TFT), which was developed in the 1980s by psychologist Roger Callahan, Ph.D., according to Capanna-Hodge. “TFT is very similar to EFT in that they both involve tapping on specific points on the body while focusing attention on a specific emotion or problem,” she says.

The main difference between the two methods is that TFT uses different tapping sequences for different causes while EFT uses the same tapping sequence regardless of the situation, she explains. This change was ushered in by a Stanford University-educated mechanical engineer named Gary Craig, who was working with Dr. Callahan in the 1990s, says Ewing, who adds that Craig set out to make TFT simpler and came up with EFT. He started working with clients to test his theory and found it to be effective.

While it’s important to note that Craig was not a psychologist or doctor, Ewing says EFT tapping has been extensively researched to assess its effectiveness for treating mental health conditions, most commonly anxiety and related conditions, such as phobias and PTSD.

The Science Behind EFT

Scientific studies show that tapping allows the brain and body to release stress and negative emotions, as well as calm and regulate the central nervous system, according to Capanna-Hodge. While researchers aren’t sure exactly how tapping moderates stress, they have observed a decrease in cortisol (often referred to as the “stress hormone”), showing that a physiological change is occurring.

Capanna-Hodge explains that when the nervous system is calmed via EFT, it allows a person to review an issue causing stress or anxiety without their body becoming activated by uncomfortable emotions. This is why it can be especially effective for overcoming phobias and PTSD, according to available research. One 2017 review in Explore found four and 10 sessions of EFT tapping to be an effective treatment for people with PTSD[2].

“It’s really astounding,” Ewing says of EFT tapping’s ability to treat phobias and PTSD. “The meridian points are very powerful points when stimulated, and [research has shown] they send a calming signal to the brain.”

EFT tapping can also reduce feelings of depression, according to a 2016 review and meta-analysis in Explore[3]. Ewing believes that this effect is due to a combination of tapping while repeating empowering statements, which are used to replace negative ones. To her point, scientific studies show that repeating empowering statements, such as “Even though I’m scared, I deeply accept myself,” activates the parts of the brain in charge of self-processing and behavior change. This activation, in turn, could lead to feeling more positive.

The EFT Tapping Points

Here are the nine acupoints associated with standard EFT tapping. Standard EFT tapping typically incorporates nine acupoints on the face, hands, and body, according to EFT International:

1. Eyebrow (EB) is Where the eyebrows start at the bridge of the nose

2. Side of the Eye (SE) On the bone along the outside of either eye

3. Under the Eye (UE) On the top of the cheekbone under either eye

4. Under the Nose (UN) The area beneath the nose and above the upper lip

5. Chin Point (Ch) The crease between your bottom lip and chin

6. Collarbone Point (CB) About two inches below and to the side of where your collar bones meet

7. Under the Arm (UA) On each side, about four inches beneath the armpits

8. Top of the Head (TOH) Directly on the crown of your head

9. Karate Chop (KC) The outer edge of the hand, on the opposite side from the thumb

However, EFT tapping involves more than stimulating these acupoints — it also incorporates mental focus.

Types of EFT Tapping

EFT tapping comes in many forms. However, there are two common types:

Standard EFT Protocol

According to EFT International, the standard EFT protocol is used by the majority of EFT practitioners worldwide. It involves these steps:

- Identify something that’s bothering you (e.g., a stressful situation).

- Rate the intensity on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 is the worst).

- Create a statement that describes your issue and includes a component of self-acceptance, like “Even though I’m stressed about work deadlines, I am doing my best and fully love and accept myself.”

- Repeat a shortened version of that statement while you tap each point on your body several times, such as “Even though I’m stressed with work, I fully love and accept myself.”

- Rate the intensity from 0 to 10 again and repeat the steps until the number decreases and you feel better.

Clinical EFT Tapping 

This is the evidence-based form of EFT tapping that’s primarily used to treat PTSD, phobias, clinical anxiety, and other mental health issues. There are a million forms of EFT, but this is the only one that’s been validated in over 100 clinical trials. Clinical EFT tapping can only be done with a certified clinical EFT professional. It combines memory recall, verbal statements, and tapping a set of eight acupoints (the same as standard EFT minus the karate chop point), per clinical guidelines published in December 2018 in Healthcare (Basel).

How to Do EFT

You can do EFT, or tapping, whenever you feel upset. You may find that it helps you feel better.

To do EFT, follow these steps.

1. Think of an issue that's bothering you.

This could be an issue. For example, it could be something you're feeling anxious or sad about.

2. Measure how your issue makes you feel.

Rate how bad you feel on a scale from 0 to 10. A score of 0 means you don't feel bad at all. But a score of 10 means you feel as bad as possible. Write down this number.

3. Create a statement that describes your issue, followed by a statement of self-acceptance.

For example, you could say, "Even though I feel anxious about work tomorrow, I deeply and completely accept myself." Or you could say, "Even though my partner broke up with me, I deeply and completely accept myself."

4. Tap repeatedly on the edge of your palm, below your little finger.

While you tap, say your statement out loud 3 times.

5. Now tap on the rest of the points on your body, one at a time.

While you tap, state your issue over and over. For example, you might repeat "anxious about the test" or "We broke up." Tap on each point in this order.

- Tap on the top, center of your head.

- Tap on the inside edge of one eyebrow.

- Tap next to the outside edge of one eye.

- Tap on the bone underneath one eye.

- Tap between your nose and your upper lip.

- Tap between your lower lip and your chin.

- Tap beneath one collarbone (find the notch beneath the inside edge of the collarbone).

- Tap under one armpit (about 10 centimeters (4 inches) below the armpit).

6. Stop and remeasure how you feel about your issue.

7. Repeat the steps if needed. Tap until you can give your issue a lower number, or until you feel better.

Benefits of EFT Tapping

Below are some examples of when EFT tapping can be beneficial, according to experts and available research.

- To overcome stress or anxiety: Experts say that you can use EFT tapping in an acutely stressful or anxiety-producing situation or when focusing on something that causes stress or anxiety.

- To overcome a specific phobia: You don’t need to wait until you encounter a phobia to utilize EFT tapping: Simply focusing on your phobia while you go through the tapping sequence can help, says Ewing, though more research is needed to support this claim.

- To overcome PTSD: Similarly, EFT tapping can be done while focusing on a traumatic experience. As it can be quite intense, it’s best to work with an EFT tapping practitioner who can be present and offer emotional support and guidance.

When you feel depressed: Both experts say that EFT tapping can be used to clear negative thoughts. However, it should be used in conjunction with other established treatments, such as talk therapy or prescription medication. Speak with a healthcare provider if you think tapping might benefit you.

What to Expect Before, During, and After EFT Tapping

If you’re using standard EFT tapping for general stress relief or improved focus in life, you may only need to work with a tapping app until you get the hang of the technique. From there, you can continue using the app or try tapping without guidance.

When you start your tapping session, you’ll focus on negative emotions and unresolved issues. But as you tap through your acupoints, you may notice that your thoughts become more positive and that you start to relax or feel better.

The approach to using clinical EFT tapping for PTSD or other trauma looks a bit different.

For starters, you’ll be working with a certified clinical EFT practitioner. This person will likely ask you to recall the details of a traumatizing event as vividly as possible and have you pair this memory with a neutral statement. While you share the statement, you’ll tap specific acupoints.

According to the clinical guidelines, a typical statement might read: “Even though I vividly recall the horror of the bomb blast, I deeply and completely accept myself.” This statement is accompanied by a tap on the acupoint on the side of the hand.

From there, you’ll gently tap the acupoints at the start of the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, under the lips, an inch under the collarbone, under the arm, and top of the head with two fingers, per the guidelines. As you tap, you’ll say a shortened version of your earlier statement.

Your therapist may ask you to rate the intensity of the traumatic event at various points during the session. These ratings help your therapist determine the next step in your treatment.

How many sessions you’ll need may vary depending on the severity of your condition. However, clinical guidelines recommend 10 sessions for people with PTSD.

There are online, app, and telemedicine options for clinical EFT. However, in-person sessions were found to reduce PTSD symptoms by 91 percent versus telephone sessions that reduced symptoms by 67 percent, according to a review and survey published in 2017 in The Permanente Journal.

EFT for Anxiety

The bulk of the research on EFT relates to the treatment of anxiety.

A 2016 review of 14 studies on EFT reports that people who used tapping experienced a significant decrease in anxiety. However, the author recommends further studies to compare EFT with standard treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

A randomized, controlled trialTrusted Source from the same year did compare the effectiveness of EFT and CBT in the treatment of people with both anxiety and depression.

The pilot study involved 10 people who took part in an 8-week program of either CBT or EFT. According to the results, both treatments significantly reduced symptoms of depression and led to improvements in anxiety.

More recently, a 2019 study involving 203 individuals tested the physical reactions and psychological symptoms of people attending EFT workshops. The majority of people that took part were women over the age of 50 years.

The researchers reported that participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, as well as in pain levels and cravings. They also reported improvements in happiness.

Physical measures in a subset of participants showed improvements in heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

In other research, students with anxiety reported that EFT helped them feel calmer and more relaxed.

EFT for Depression

In addition to the studies that evaluate EFT on people with both anxiety and depression, other research focuses on EFT for those with depression alone.

A 2012 study involving 30 students with moderate-to-severe depression reported that those who received four group sessions of EFT treatment had significantly less depression than those in the control group, who received no treatment.

According to the researchers, these findings indicated that EFT might be useful as a brief, cost-effective, and successful treatment.

A 2016 review of 20 studies reported that EFT was highly effective in reducing the symptoms of depression. The findings suggested that EFT was equal to or better than other standard treatments for depression.

EFT for PTSD

Military personnel who experience PTSD may benefit from EFT, according to some studies.

In a 2013 study, 30 veterans who received EFT treatment along with standard care had significantly less psychological distress and PTSD symptoms than those who were on a waiting list for treatment.

In addition, after three and six sessions, 60.0% and 85.7% of these participants respectively no longer met the PTSD clinical criteria. At 6 months after the treatment, 79.5% of participants did not fit the criteria, which the researchers said indicated the long-term benefits of EFT.

In a 2017 survey of EFT practitioners, most (63%) reported that EFT could resolve even complex PTSD in 10 sessions or fewer. Almost 90% of respondents stated that less than 10% of their clients make little or no progress.

However, it is important to note that these findings are self-reported by people who practice EFT. In addition, practitioners often combine EFT with other approaches, including cognitive therapy, which may play a role in the treatment’s success.

Sources:

Health Link BC

WebMD

Forbes

Counselling Matters

Everyday Health

Vitality Living College

The Tapping Solution

Medical News Today

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.