Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Emotional Freedom Technique is relatively new to the UK but it seems to be gathering momentum fast with more and more people practising it, in addition to a larger number of the public hearing about it. The concept behind EFT is to clear the body of negative emotions that are suppressed within and that resurface in certain situations.

What happens at a session?

Initially the client lies on the massage couch and discusses their problems – these may be emotional or physical – and a sentence is devised which most aptly describes how they are feeling. For example it could be, ‘Even though I am really sad about leaving my partner I completely and deeply love and accept myself.’

The practitioner taps the ends of specific meridians – the channels through which energy flows – in a specific order while the client repeatedly says the sentence that has been chosen. This sets up a vibration that travels through the energy system freeing it from the emotion.

As they work through the problem the words are likely to change – for instance they may no longer be sad, but may be very angry. As the process goes on more and more deep feelings come out. Similarly if it is a health issue, the emotions behind it may also start to become obvious.

How it works

EFT works on the basis that negative emotions disrupt the energy system which is activated by electrical impulses that run throughout the body. By sending a vibration through the energy system it is claimed that the body is freed from emotional and physical discomfort. This is made more specific by repetition of a sentence that relates to the problem.

How was it developed?

Originally it was developed from Thought Field Technique (TFT) but was converted by Gary Craig to a modified version known as EFT. It is said that the originator of TFT, Roger Callahan, first discovered the technique with a girl who was petrified of water, who went for a swim at the end of the session.

What does EFT help?

It can assist with all kinds of physical and emotional symptoms and is particularly suitable for someone who wishes to deal with a problem but does not feel that counselling is the answer. It can be used as a tool to exonerate particular emotional issues.

Other areas where it is widely used is to eliminate phobias, addictions, obsessive disorders and post-traumatic stress.

Treatment lengths vary but, sometimes it might only take one session to clear a phobia or other issue however, in other cases ongoing sessions may be required.

Why do people like EFT?

Although EFT may sound a little unusual it does attract a large number of people. The reasons they may like it is the fact that you remain fully clothed or perhaps because they don’t feel it is as revealing as counselling or psychotherapy.

Sometimes people have never dealt with a particular incident – such as an attack of some kind – and they don’t realise until they have EFT that it was this that was causing their emotional or physical problems.

EFT can be a speedy and effective way of dealing with something as simple as a phobia that has been holding a person back all their life. The nice thing about EFT is that it is a treatment that you can take away with you and practise on yourself whenever needed although, it is generally more effective if carried out by someone else on you.

Article courtesy of Frances Ive. Frances Ive is a health journalist with a website on complementary medicine:
www.healthysoul.co.uk