EFT FAQ

What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

In simplest terms, EFT is an emotional form of acupuncture except that we don't use needles. Instead, we tap with the fingertips to stimulate certain meridian points while the client is "tuned in" to the problem. We are still learning why EFT works so well. The existing theory is that "the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

The subtle energies that circulate throughout the body have been largely ignored (until recently) by western scientists. As a result, our use of them for emotional and spiritual healing has been sparse at best. With EFT, however, we consider these subtle energies to be the front running cause of emotional upsets. As a result, we generate results that are FAR beyond those of conventional methods.

As people experience EFT, most report a profound easing of stress-producing emotions like anxiety and fear, anger and frustration, sadness, even cravings. EFT involves a simple process of tapping on stress-relief points, actually acupuncture points, on the body as we talk about your issue. You do the tapping yourself and, as you learn to 'tap away' the negative emotional charge, you'll have a very effective tool to help yourself and others.

Many people are able to go deeper into their issues as EFT 'peels the layers of the onion' and at those levels, real transformation can take place. You may be aware that certain situations tend to upset you. It's as if we have 'emotional wiring' programmed into us from prior experiences. EFT helps us "rewire" the emotional patterns within so that we are no longer triggered in painful ways. It is literally 'emotional freedom' to feel different, lighter, less burdened by the past, less susceptible to reacting with painful emotion.

Another advantage of EFT is that sessions can be very successfully done over the phone. You can experience this healing work in the convenience of your home, and phone sessions can often be more easily scheduled than office visits, especially if you live at a distance.

The stress-relief points on the body that we tap in the EFT procedure are in fact meridian points based on the same system as acupuncture. EFT founder Gary Craig calls EFT "an emotional form of acupuncture except that we don't use needles. Instead, we tap with the fingertips to stimulate certain meridian points while the client is 'tuned in' to the problem."

One of the most appealing things about EFT is its simplicity. Even a child can learn it in minutes. You learn one simple tapping process, and no matter what is bothering you, chances are you will feel less bothered after tapping for it. Many times the negative feelings about a specific issue completely resolve and you can't get them back. Phobias, for example, often lift entirely and people cannot experience the old fear even if they try.

What is at the root of most of our blockages, problems and stress? It is our negative emotion-fear, anger, anxiety, discomfort, resentment, depression, hopelessness, and so forth. As you experience EFT, it feels like "letting the air out of the balloon" so that you collapse the intensity of the negative emotions, and as you do, you feel more peaceful and centered, see things more clearly and can make better choices.

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What is impressive about EFT

EFT is:

Effective - EFT reduces emotional and physical pain by at least half more than 90% of the time and eliminates the pain of the specific issue completely about 70% of the time. EFT often works when nothing else will.

Rapid - most problems are eliminated in two to five sessions of 30 to 60 minutes. Some are gone within the first few minutes.

Noninvasive - the therapist taps gently on specific points on your face, upper body, and hand. No drugs, no surgery, no equipment, no pain.

Gentle - you do not have to revisit an experience to heal its effects. EFT works even if you are unwilling or unable to describe an issue or event.

Long-lasting - The benefits of EFT are often permanent from a single session.

Inclusive - EFT does not conflict with any other forms of treatment of any kind. There are no side effects or contraindications.

Portable - you learn basic forms of EFT in the session, to use for the issue that brought you to the session or for anything else.

Universal - EFT works with all ages, and even with animals.

And most of all, EFT works in the real world.

The fact that you can do the Emotional Freedom Technique on yourself anywhere, everywhere - all it takes is a few minutes and your own hands - makes EFT remarkable in all ways in psychology and self help.

Without any training, you really can use EFT to help yourself in moments of doubt and fear, in the middle of the night, or when you are on your own.

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It is better to say it with feeling and emphasis, but saying it routinely will usually do the job.

It is best to say it out loud, but if you are in a social situation where you prefer to mutter it under your breath...or do it silently...then go ahead. It will still likely be effective.

To add to the effectiveness of the affirmation, The Setup also includes the simultaneous tapping on one of the acupuncture meridian points.

Tuning in is seemingly a very simple process. You merely think about the problem while applying the tapping. That's it...at least in theory.

"The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

Negative emotions come about because you are tuned in to certain thoughts or circumstances, which in turn, cause your energy system to disrupt.

Otherwise, you function normally. One's fear of heights is not present, for example, while one is reading the comic section of the Sunday newspaper and therefore not tuned in to the problem.

Tuning in to a problem can be done by simply thinking about it. In fact, tuning in means thinking about it.

Thinking about the problem will bring about the energy disruptions involved which then...and only then...can be balanced by applying The Basic Recipe.

Without tuning in to the problem, thereby creating those energy disruptions, EFT does nothing.

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