The Secret Sauce of EFT 'Tapping'

Emotional Freedom Technique is an evidence-based form of energy therapy that is easy to learn and use. I stumbled upon EFT, or 'tapping', a few years ago without much awareness. Slowly over time I started noticing it in videos and emails from my favourite authors and teachers, in documentaries I was watching, and at local events and workshops.

I decided to investigate what tapping was all about and attended an in-person group led by a local Halifax practitioner, Al Rodee. When I ended up crying in my first session over something I had no clue held any emotions for me, I was very intrigued. Plus, I'm not really a crier so this release was very therapeutic. I joined Al once more for a longer group session and observed some dramatic shifts in the other attendees' physical and emotional issues. Plus I ended up crying again during some of the work focused on me, so I knew there was something to this.

But more than just crying, as I started using tapping on myself it was helping me find old stories and experiences that still had pull and bring them to the surface. From there I could see them for what they were, tap on them, and gently release the emotional charge they held.

The more I learned and practiced tapping, the more I realized I couldn't ignore this profound tool, useful for resolving and releasing both in-the-moment struggles as well as hidden emotional triggers and blocks in the form of memories, experiences or trauma, beliefs and stories we've been repeating for years, or even the physical pain or symptoms we've been holding in our body. Tapping offers a way to make peace with with our past so we can experience our present with ease.

Tapping is self-administered and preformed by tapping with couple of fingers on a series of points (most often 9) around the head, face, upper body, and side of the hand. This tapping activates specific energy systems in our body (think acupuncture and acupressure) which send calming signals to the amygdala in the brain (the area responsible for the 'fight or flight' stress response, emotional decoding, and survival instincts, among other roles).

First we put our attention on the stressful or negative experiences that trigger stress or emotions (anywhere from mild to severe). We add a specific combination of language and phrases to focus on and offer an acceptance of the experience, and at the same time, we begin tapping. This combination of the calming tapping while focusing on the stressful issue, plus the addition of speaking acceptance phrases works to resolve and release the emotional response to the issues in a short time, and often permanently.

Tapping can work on a wide variety of issues including fears, anxiety, stress, anger, bothersome memories, PTSD, guilt, food cravings or other cravings, shame and self-criticism, physical symptoms and pain in the body, and so much more.

Anyone who has tried to make changes in their life knows that change is hard, and mostly because we have old programming that is still running the show, despite all of our efforts to break free from it. Although coaching, thought work, meditation, journalling, therapy, and all other forms of growth and support can help, it's not until we can pinpoint and neutralize the unconscious drivers that we find an ease and freedom to move through our life without getting stuck.

Tapping is subtle and gentle yet profound, and is a tool that I will be heavily relying on in my work.

For examples of tapping, visit EFT founder Gary Craig's YouTube channel.

For more information on how tapping works visit The Tapping Solution website.

For a collection of online articles about various EFT topics, click here.

For academic articles on EFT, click here.