Emotional Freedom Technique® (EFT®): A Path to Emotional Healing

Written By Tanya D.

One of my favorite practices is the Emotional Freedom Technique® (EFT®), sometimes referred to as "tapping." EFT® is a simple yet powerful method that combines the principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. By tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on emotional distress, EFT® aims to restore balance to the body’s energy system and provide emotional relief.

What Is EFT® and How Does It Work?

EFT® stimulates various acupressure points by tapping on the following meridians: the top of the head, top of the brow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, under the chin, under the collar bone, and under the arm. The sequence is repeated multiple times during a session while addressing a specific emotional issue.

During a typical EFT® session, I will focus on a specific issue while tapping on the points with my fingers while I recite specific phrases relating to something emotional that I’m working on. For example, if I am dealing with fear, I might say, “Even though I feel this fear, I deeply and completely accept myself.” By doing so, EFT® not only acknowledges the emotion but also encourages self-acceptance, which is crucial for emotional healing.

Why Tapping on Meridians Works

The science behind EFT® suggests that tapping on these acupressure points sends calming signals to the amygdala, the brain's stress center. This process can reduce the intensity of emotional responses, much like how acupuncture works to relieve pain by stimulating energy flow. Studies have found that EFT® can help lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being. For instance, research published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that EFT® significantly reduced anxiety and stress in participants compared to traditional talk therapy.

Emotional Freedom Isn’t the Absence of Feelings

It’s important to recognize that the goal of EFT® isn’t to eliminate emotions altogether. We are emotional beings, and feelings are a natural part of the human experience. Instead, EFT® helps us process and release emotions in a healthy way, freeing us from the ones that keep us stuck. The real power of EFT® lies in getting to a place where we can feel our emotions, honor them, and then let go. As the name suggests, the Emotional Freedom Technique® is about achieving emotional liberation—not by suppressing feelings but by engaging with them mindfully and compassionately.

My Personal Experience with EFT®

EFT® has become an invaluable tool for me, providing great emotional relief and helping me navigate complex feelings in sobriety and recovery. I practice it in conjunction with a dosing chart and a pendulum, which I use to measure my emotional intensity before, during, and after a session. Tracking my progress allows me to see how EFT® works on my emotional issues over time, and it reinforces the power of this technique.

One area where EFT® has had a transformative impact is on my anger. In the past, I carried intense rage toward my mother and an ex-boyfriend—anger that felt all-consuming and exhausting. By working through these emotions using EFT®, I was able to release much of the anger and trauma that had been holding me back. Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, once said, “We have to be free of anger,” and today I can honestly say that I have achieved this freedom.

EFT® has also helped me confront various fears. While some of those fears have entirely dissipated, others are still a work in progress. For instance, I am currently using EFT® to manage my anger and frustration toward certain people at work. This practice has helped me remain calm and more centered, even in situations that would have previously caused me significant distress.

Why You Should Consider EFT®

If you’re considering trying EFT®, know that it can be an effective method for a wide range of issues, from anxiety and trauma to chronic pain and everyday stress. EFT® is also easy to learn, making it a great tool to use in daily life when emotions feel overwhelming. Resources such as The Tapping Solution provide tutorials and research on the efficacy of tapping.

EFT® is about breaking free from emotional constraints and finding a sense of inner peace and maybe some emotional sobriety too. Isn't that the true essence of healing—getting unstuck and embracing life with open-hearted acceptance?

Want to learn how to practice? Book a free discovery call with me to find out if EFT® is right for you!

For more in-depth information on how EFT® works, you can check out:

Tanya D. is a Usui/Holy Fire® III Karuna Reiki® Master, Pranic Healer, Meditation Instructor, Holistic Recovery Coach and SHE RECOVERS® Coach. Find her @thepeacewecrave on Facebook/Instagram and at www.thepeacewecrave.com for all things recovery, energy, meditation, healing, and peace. Contact her at tanyad@thepeacewecrave.com. 

Tanya D. https://www.thepeacewecrave.com
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