What is EFT?
The therapy is known as ‘Emotional Freedom Technique’ (EFT) and if you haven’t yet heard of it, I guarantee that you will do soon. EFT is exciting psychologists all over the world because of its rapid and profoundly powerful results for all kinds of emotional problems.
EFT is an ultra-modern complementary therapy but one that has its origins in ancient Chinese medicine. It works on the body’s energy systems, and was developed by an American called Gary Craig following the discovery that imbalances in your energy systems can have profound effects on personal psychology.
What makes EFT special?
For those of you who have spent weeks, months, or even years trying various drugs, counselling and alternative therapies in a desperate search for relief from your emotional problems, EFT may come as something little short of a miracle.
- It often works where nothing else will.
- Usually gives rapid, long-lasting and gentle relief.
- Does not involve drugs or equipment.
- Can be easily learned by anyone and can be taught by telephone.
- Can be discreetly self-applied.
- Often also alleviates persistent physical problems.
How does EFT work?
Electrical messages are constantly sent through your body to keep it informed of what’s going on. Without this energy flow you would not be able to see, hear, taste, smell or touch. It has been proven that disruptions or blockages in these electrical pathways can cause limiting thoughts and emotions and lead to ill-health.
EFT uses gentle pressure on meridian points – the body’s electrical, or energy pathways – to change the way energy travels around the body.
By tapping and pressing on the meridian points, small shock waves are sent through the energy system which stimulates smooth flow and clears blockages.
In short, it works like acupuncture, but without the needles.
Will EFT work for me?
Where EFT is properly applied, over 90-95% of clients achieve either noticeable improvement or complete elimination of their problem.
Some people achieve relief within minutes – literally – of receiving EFT. Others may require a few sessions to really benefit. And more severe cases may take longer.
It is particularly effective for conditions such as anxiety and stress where clients are often unable to pinpoint the exact reason for their unease.
(However, in the case of serious psychological problems, EFT should not be seen as a substitute for qualified medical advice from your GP. You should always consult your GP or existing care provider prior to engaging in complementary therapies.)
What will it feel like?
EFT involves the application of light pressure or gentle tapping on particular points around your body. It is an incredibly gentle technique and you remain relaxed and fully clothed at all times.
Very occasionally, a client may experience a slight feeling of nausea but this is more likely to be the result of focusing on a particularly negative emotion rather than a cause of the treatment itself.
(In general, the treatment should not be too emotionally painful as there is no need for the practitioner to know in great detail about the root cause of your problem. The focus is on the body’s energy flow rather than unpleasant memories or negative thoughts.)
You will, within a few minutes of receiving the treatment, feel a greater sense of calm and, often for the first time in a long while, a fresh perspective and renewed optimism about your life.
What’s more, because EFT is a technique that can easily be learned and applied by anyone, it will give you back control of your life and fill you with a new sense of confidence.
Are there any limitations on what EFT can achieve?
Despite the amazing results achieved through EFT for a wide variety of psychological and physiological problems, EFT is a complementary therapy and should not be seen as a remedy or a substitute for medical treatment in the case of acute problems.
EFT cannot cure cancer or any chronic illness. However, it can reduce, or even eliminate, the stress and fears surrounding the illness.
Does it complement other therapies?
Because there are no drugs or invasive procedures involved in the application of EFT, it is perfectly safe to use it alongside other forms of medication and complementary therapies. However, EFT offers such quick and effective results that you may not feel the need to use additional therapies.
If you are a practitioner of an alternative complementary therapy and are interested in the benefits of offering your clients EFT, I offer accredited training courses to counsellors, health professionals, coaches and hypnotherapists and train groups in self-help techniques.
Isn't EFT just another fad?
It’s only natural to view innovations with scepticism, particularly those that relate to our health and which promise rapid results.
However, EFT is based on sound scientific principles and, whilst still in its relatively early days, has been found clinically effective in thousands of cases, particularly with trauma and post-traumatic stress.
What’s more, you don’t have to believe in the technique for it to work.
Okay I am interested. How do I start EFT?
A problem shared is a problem halved…
EFT is a therapy that, in most cases, works really well at a group level. It can sometimes be embarrassing or intimidating to visit a therapist by yourself, so I offer a range of short courses that are attended by small groups of people who share similar problems. Course participants learn how to apply EFT themselves so that they can then take control of their own treatment.
The benefits of attending a course with others are:
- Shared experiences and ideas.
- Improved self-esteem from the realisation that you are not alone with your problems.
- Opportunity to practice the technique on other people.
|
