A couple months ago I wrote about my all-time #1 stress relief technique: EFT (or Emotional Freedom Technique). Here’s the post in case you missed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the end of that article, I promised to address specific questions about EFT from clients. Thanks very much to those of you who participated (and keep them coming!).
Read the FAQs to find out about using EFT with your kids, how to use it with meditation, if the effects wear off, and more…..
Is it normal for people to get very emotional during tapping? Perhaps it’s a good sign as it shows that you’re dealing with the issue?
Yes, it’s very common to get emotional while tapping (it’s a concrete way you can tell you’re releasing the negative emotion that you’re tapping for). Some people yawn, take a really deep breath, laugh, sneeze, cough—it really varies, but tears are probably the most common way of releasing the emotion.
Do you have to say the phrases out loud? Or can you think them? Are they more effective out loud?
For EFT, you don’t have to say the phrases out loud—sometimes this helps you connect to your intuition and the negative feeling a little more, but if you were in the middle of a panic attack, for example, you’re already feeling it intensely so you don’t need the phrases.
Do you have to tap each of the spots in a very specific order?
Yes, tap in the specific order.
I’m worried that the effects of EFT therapy wear off over time – or if I keep tapping will I be able to continue with this success?
Yes, keep tapping (and tap on your concern that it will wear off). EFT is a great way to empty the little and big stresses that occur throughout the day. Issues can be resolved permanently. If you feel like the issue returns it’s usually just an unresolved aspect of the issue, so you can tap on the new aspect. (After all, it only takes a minute!)
Does EFT work with kids?
Yes, this is a wonderful tool for kids. Kids in general are much more in touch with themselves than adults, and so it’s often easier to access the negative feeling. I’ve had clients use it in the classroom with their students in elementary and high school, as well as moms use it with their own kids.
Here’s an example from one client:
“My 5-year-old was having *extreme* anxiety about losing her baby teeth (she has a wiggly one so it’s going to start soon) so she joined me a few times in the AM and I used words like “even though I’m going to lose my baby teeth…etc”. After we did EFT, she closed her eyes and imagined a positive way for her tooth to fall out. She came up with it falling into her suitcase when we are unpacking in CA. Pretty specific. She was smiling and happy. This morning at breakfast she told me she’s looking forward to losing them now. Pretty amazing! –Danielle M.
Is EFT like meditation?
One client loves to spend 10 minutes each morning doing EFT and tuning it to herself. It’s a way to listen to herself, which is what mediation is all about. So yes, I would say EFT can be used as a kind of meditation.
Your Next Session
At your next session, ask me to tap with you if there’s a particular issue you could use additional support around. (I work virtually with clients from around the world.) And in the meantime, happy tapping!
Or check out my upcoming virtual Soul Healing Events or use Soul Healing Recordings for a range of popular issues.
