Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

What is EFT?

The principles of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) were discovered by Dr Roger Callahan, a clinical psychologist with over 40 years experience, who had made it his life`s mission to find ways to cure people of unfounded fears, phobias and anxieties. His motivation was the fact that he himself had suffered from these issues since childhood.

He had a patient named Mary who had a severe phobia of water. She also suffered frequent headaches and terrifying nightmares which were related to her phobia of water. Mary found bathing highly traumatic, even if there were only a few inches of water. He had been working with her for 18 months using all of his usual therapy approaches within the field of psychotherapy, but nothing worked. He had at that time been studying the body`s energy system. In one of the sessions Mary complained of anxious stomach discomfort, so he asked her to tap underneath her eye, which is an end point of the stomach meridian and her fear disappeared instantaneously. Elated she raced down to a nearby swimming pool and threw some water onto her face – there was no fear. The headaches disappeared – it all went away, even the nightmares and never returned.

Dr Callahan called his discovery Thought Field Therapy (TFT), based on the fact that thoughts related to the energy field in the body, as it was witnessed that changing this energy field by tapping on the meridian points could release negative emotions, thoughts and beliefs in a rapid and easy manner.

Gary Craig, one of Dr Callahan’s students came up with a brilliant idea – what if a series of points could be tapped which could cover every presenting problem. There are 13 points which would become the new streamline version which he called EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique.

How Does EFT Work?

EFT is like Psychological Acupuncture without using any needles. It is a technique that patients can learn to use very easily and quickly with the guide of a trained therapist.

As people experience EFT, most report a profound easing of stress producing emotions like anxiety, fear, phobias, unwanted thoughts/feelings, frustration, sadness, cravings related to addictions, even physical pain and so much more. Within therapy the therapist will show you the points to tap for yourself and talk you through the process. As you tap your own body along the 13 points, the therapist will also be tapping his or her own points so you can see the exact location; there will also be a diagram displaying the points that you get to take home. The instructions are simple to follow, as you learn how to facilitate the process for yourself. You do the tapping as you literally “tap away” negative energy, changing the way you think and feel.

EFT is a very effective method for accessing the subconscious mind without the use of trance. It can be used as a stand alone therapy, or combined with other therapies to suit your needs.

One of the most appealing things about EFT is its simplicity. Even a child can learn it within minutes. You learn one simple tapping process that you have for the rest of your life.

If you would like further information, or if you would like to book an appointment please contact Lorraine Ireland on 01384 – 878264 or email enquiries@mindandbodymatters.com