What is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)?
EFT is a simple way of defusing the impact of negative beliefs, self-critical thoughts, upsets and hurts that get in the way of feeling how we would like to feel and doing what we would like to do - hence the "emotional freedom". EFT uses the technique of tapping on certain points on the body to free our energy, whilst saying certain affirmations and/or describing the issues we wish to resolve. The result can be rapid change in the way respond to an event in the past or a present problem, enabling us to be happier and to cope with life's challenges in a positive way.
You can learn how to use basic EFT for yourself and your loved ones in minutes - this is covered in EFT Level 1, though you will gain so much more from working through Level 2, whether or not you intend to become a practitioner.
EFT has been called "acupuncture without needles" because it just uses the fingers to tap on certain acupressure points (these are the same as acupuncture meridian points known to Chinese medicine).
EFT arose from another therapy, Thought Field Therapy™, devised by clinical psychologist Dr Roger Callahan. Callahan discovered that conflicts or negative emotions are related to disruption in the body's energy field, along the meridians or lines of flow of vital energy or chi that are known in acupuncture. By tapping on a meridian point, fears and upsets can vanish or be much reduced. Callahan created various sequences of taps for different problems. We may think the problem is in our heads or our feelings, but the meridian system is where it seems to be stuck, and intervening there can cause a shift, even when conventional therapeutic methods have not been effective.
Gary Craig, an engineer trained at Stanford University, learned Thought Field Therapy and decided to streamline the process, creating a single method of tapping that anyone could use easily no matter what the issue. The result was EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).
Gary Craig devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to developing and teaching EFT, creating training materials, writing and building a huge website at emofree.com Gary has now retired and the bulk of the reference material on his site has moved to the independent site www.EFTUniverse.com
EFT, though a simple method, is not just tapping. Its proper use depends on paying attention to what is going on in your own mind and body (when you do EFT for yourself), or in listening carefully to your client, and crafting phrases that work best for each issue or helping the client to express him/herself. The core method has been called "mechanical" EFT because it can be learned and repeated step by step. At Practitioner level and beyond you will learn to be more creative with it, to use shortcuts and extra methods, to pinpoint the exact part of the issue that needs to be worked on, and to integrate it with other self-help methods and therapies you may know. You will also learn what to do if you don't get an immediate result with basic EFT, or when the client doesn't want to talk or even think about the issue because it's too painful to face.
Many rapid results have been reported with EFT, yet it is not a miracle and it cannot promise to "cure" anything. Some issues need much more work because they are complex, long-standing or deep-seated and in such cases help from a qualified practitioner is best.
Gary's gifts to us all are to make basic instruction in EFT available to anyone free - it has become a hugely popular self-help technique - and also, recently, to generously allow the EFT community to "take over" EFT and develop it, with each practitioner adding his/her insights, intuition and unique style. One fascinating avenue of discussion amongst practitioners is what exactly makes EFT work (we don't really know) and how it is related to various therapies.
EFT has been applied to many emotional, physical, spiritual and other issues including:
Confidence
Stress
Anxiety
Fears and phobias
Habit control
Trauma
Anger
Depression
Guilt and Shame
Low self esteem
Grief and sadness
Pain
Minor physical problems
Smoking cessation
Weight control
Coping with major illness
Insomnia
Sports, arts and business performance
School and academic performance
Resolving childhood issues
Loss of spiritual connection
Family problems
Money worries
Allergies
Emotional sensitivity
EFT has been combined with life coaching, hypnotherapy, NLP,
counselling, Reiki and various other therapies. It is widely used
by helping professionals alongside their main approaches.
People have even used EFT on their pets!
Start thinking now about what you'd like to use EFT for or specialise in!
As an experienced therapist trained in many techniques, Morris Berg (your EFT tutor) appreciates how EFT can be artfully used as a "brief therapy" that is tailored precisely to the individual.
EFT® is trademarked by its originator, Gary Craig. Though EFT can produce notable results, it must be considered to be in the experimental stage and all who use EFT must take their own responsibility for the use of it. Gary Craig is not a licensed health professional and offers EFT as an ordained minister and personal coach. If you have any physical or mental health problem, consult your medical practitioner or other qualified and licensed professional. EFT is a complementary form of help and does not replace medical care. The tutors/compilers of the UKCHT EFT course are not medical doctors. If you have a physical illness or or mental health problem consult your doctor or therapist before using EFT. EFT Level 1 & 2 and other Certificates and Diplomas offered by independent trainers such as UKCHT are not approved by Gary Craig. Though the material in UKCHT courses is based upon original EFT it is an independent interpretation of it and may include additional techniques and variations. EFT is a continually evolving system, as are related meridian tapping or meridian therapy systems.
Outcome of any EFT work cannot be guaranteed and though many examples of rapid results are reported, results may take time and regular use of the techniques, especially for long-standing or complex issues. Please do not regard EFT as a "quick fix" or "miracle cure". Work with a professional EFT Practitioner may be necessary for more complex or deeper issues.
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EFT Hub - Emotional Freedom Technique Global Learning Resource