WHAT IS EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE?

From the onset, it is important to point out that most people refer to Emotional Freedom Technique by its acronym, EFT.

After using EFT for a wide variety of physical and emotional health related issues for the past 10 years, many people seem to receive some insight into this subject when they are told, “EFT is like acupuncture for the emotions – except that needles are not used.” Although there is not a lot of genuinely solid information in that little gem of an explanation, many people get a satisfying glimmer of understanding to know that EFT is about a physical treatment of an emotional issue. Perhaps this understanding and acceptance comes more from knowing that EFT approaches emotional issues from an entirely different direction than the endless talk-therapies that are primarily noted for not being terribly effective. These same people also like to know that EFT does not treat emotional issues with mind-altering chemicals; also primarily thought to not be terribly effective by some people and far too effective by others. This latter group avoids these psychotherapeutic drugs because of the dulling, numbing or edgy side-effects that often accompanies the medication of human emotions.

Emotional Freedom Technique is the application of a simple tapping sequence applied by the fingertips to particular traditional acupuncture points on the face, hands and truck of the body. This tapping is performed while the individual who is doing EFT holds a very specific thought or memory that has a strongly negative influence on that individual.

The vast majority of those treated with EFT experience a noticeable and immediate reduction of stress in regard to the stressful thought or memory that was held in place while the individual performed the EFT tapping sequence. Preposterous you say? Totally without scientific merit? An affront to 100 years of psychiatric research and therapy? Perhaps. But the MDs, PhDs and others who actively work in mental health disciplines don’t seem to mind once they get the hang of applying EFT to their otherwise non-responsive patients and clients.

Once the exact issue that should be treated with this energy healing therapy, there is almost always a noticeable change in the negative emotions related to that issue – most of the time considerable or complete relief, and sometimes only partial or very small. Usually, the problem that occurs when only a small degree of improvement is due to the limitation of time. Most who perform EFT will allow that with adequate time, and adequate repetition for complex cases, EFT would eventually provide considerable or complete relief in most cases.

As experienced in actual practice of the real world, Emotional Freedom Technique does not always help every person on every issue, every time. However, it very frequently provides positive and lasting benefits to most people on most issues. Or to say it another way, while it does not help all people all the time, it does possess an above-average track record when compared to conventional therapy for mental and emotional issues. In addition, it often is able to offer positive and lasting improvement to many people when nothing else has been able to help them.

To answer this most common and basic question, there is no reasonable way to know ahead of time how well – or if – anyone will respond to EFT. Perhaps the best way to find out if EFT can help a particular challenge for someone is simply to use EFT to learn firsthand what it can accomplish.

The only limitation of Emotional Freedom Technique to assist emotional and physical health is the limit of the mind to influence these same issues. For this reason, Gary Craig, the man who formulated Emotional Freedom Technique in the early 1990s, suggests that a person should “try EFT on everything!”

Emotional Freedom Technique can be deceptively simple and complex to understand. For someone discovering this branch of Alternative Medicine, known as a variety of energy psychology, it might be helpful to discuss EFT from the abstract direction of what EFT is not in comparison to things you already know. Thus:

EFT is NOT a good technique to be used with severely mentally ill, severely emotionally disturbed, or unstable individuals.
EFT is NOT hypnosis, NLP, cognitive-behavioral therapy, prayer, nor any technique with similar protocols or compatible theories that support its philosophy or methodology.
EFT is NOT the practice of psychiatry, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis or any kind of medical talk therapy. Perhaps most of all, think of EFT as a do-it-yourself stress relief technique that can be broadly administered to a broad range of negative emotions.
EFT is NOT a substitute or replacement for medication prescribed by a medical doctor. EFT is an energy healing therapy in a class of its own; a complementary Alternative Medicine procedure that is part of the growing field of energy psychology.
EFT is NOT a replacement or substitute for medical diagnosis or therapy, or mental health treatment by Medical Doctors.
EFT is NOT a therapy of exclusion, but it is a therapy of inclusion; it is not a substitute or replacement to avoid learning or applying healthy interpersonal skills; with EFT a person is better able to lead outward to interact responsibly within social limits, interacting, sharing, listening to others thoughtfully and respectfully.

When used appropriately and responsibly, EFT is a non-invasive adaptation of ancient acupuncture concepts that serve to enhance emotional peace, promote physical well-being, and support spiritual growth and understanding. When used in accordance of its developer, Gary Craig, EFT will allow the individual to experience less stress during previously stressful events and memories. The medical community who use it is beginning to understand it is capable of changing lives without the use of medicine or prolonged discussion of psychoanalytic concepts.

All of the great things that Emotional Freedom Technique accomplishes can be done easily and quickly in a traditional office setting, or even while doing EFT over the phone. Negative emotions, such as fear, anger, anxiety, phobias, worry, sleeplessness, and a host of common negative emotions can be promptly treated with the energy psychology of EFT, in-person or over the phone. After a few EFT sessions, most people notice they remain more calm and controlled in their everyday encounters.

It is always wise to seek the services of a skilled and accomplished EFT practitioner for best results.