Holistic healing

Fact File: Emotional freedom technique

Let go of negative thinking to free your body and mind with EFT

Let go of negative thinking to free your body and mind with EFT

AT A GLANCE

The theory of EFT is that tapping the body at various energy points while saying positive affirmations clears ‘emotional blocks’ in us. It is used to treat trauma, panic, anxiety, or any other negative thought patterns, for example being unable to stop over-eating, or indulging in addictive behaviour like drug or alcohol misuse.

Emotional freedom technique (EFT), or tapping therapy as itis often known, is a relatively new kid on the complementary therapy block. Discovered in 1980 by Dr Roger Callaghan, it’s helped people overcome phobias, change negative behaviour and even eliminate pain.

So what happens?

“EFT is like acupuncture but without needles,“says Jemima Eames, an EFT and matrix reimprinting expert (jemimaeames.com). “It is very versatile – you can use it in the present, and tap on a physical pain or emotion; or you can ‘step’into a memory and clear trauma. You can also use it to clear blocks looking at the future. “There are lots of gentle tapping techniques that enable you to stay separate from a traumatic memory – you don’t have to re-live the experience, you can work on it as an observer,” she explains.

How does it work?

EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, so follows the same theory of traditional acupuncture, just without the invasive needles. Instead, you tap specific meridians on your head and chest while thinking about the problem you want to work on, and speak positive affirmations as you do so. This clears the ‘emotional block’ from your body’s bioenergy system, restoring mind and body balance. “EFT has been used to treat all sorts of different issues, from phobias, anxiety, weight issues and binge-eating to bereavement, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic attacks,” explains Jemima. “It works on so many different problems because it focuses on what the client is feeling, so it can be applied to virtually any issue. I’ve seen the emotion around serious trauma disappear instantly, phobias around flying vanquished, and physical pain that’s held because of emotional trauma has gone. It even works on people who don’t believe in it!”

TRY THIS!

Jemima Eames offers a quick self-help sequence to clear a negative emotion

EFT is really easy to learn and to use. You can try it yourself: think of a recent situation that has some feeling attached to it – nothing too big to start with, just a minor irritation. Notice how you feel about it (angry, sad, etc). How strong is the feeling out of 10? Where do you feel it in your body (in your tummy, for example)?

Start tapping on the side of your hand, below the little finger saying out loud: “Even though I have this anger in my tummy, I love and accept myself anyway.” Then tap through the other points saying “this anger in my tummy” as you tap on each point. At the end of the round, take a deep breath. Bring the situation to mind and scale it out of 10 again. The feeling should have reduced – keep doing this until the feeling has gone!

Case study

“EFT turned my life around”

Damon Kent, 38, drank heavily for years after a difficult relationship break up

“I drank as a means of escapism, but I was constantly lethargic and felt I wasn’t going anywhere in life. I’d tried counselling but it didn’t really help.

A friend recommended EFT to me. I’d never heard of it before. It gave me the tools to get over the way I was feeling and taught me to turn the negatives into positives. It also taught me that a lot of my problems were made up in my head and by having EFT, I could let go of those.

Since being treated, my head’s in a different space. I don’t feel the need to drink now. I can go out with my friends and I can have a good time without having to drink. I cycle 150 miles a week and I’ve lost two and a half stone. I’ve got fit and I eat better. I’m feeling better and I look at life positively.”