EFT 101
You may well wonder what this thing called EFT, or ‘tapping’ is, that I use in my coaching; or … wonder how it works if you’re already familiar with what it is.
Here’s a little Coach “T” EFT 101 for ya:
Emotional Freedom Technique or tapping as it’s commonly called because of the physical tapping done, is a form of nervous system regulation in its simplest terms. It regulates the nervous system (NS) by taking it out of its “Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn” setting, and calm it, allowing it to regulate and settle into its “Rest & Digest” setting.
Since EFT’s first use in the ‘90’s it’s grown to become an integral tool commonly used in a vast array of therapeutic and coaching settings. And its popularity only grows by the day, now that there’s such a wide body of studies and research now done on EFT; either being used as a stand-alone modality, or in conjunction with others.
Check the below link out for some of those, is you’re a skeptic (like I once was), and also like to ‘geek out’ with all things physiology (also like I do).
It’s an incredibly simple modality, and due to its gentle, easy application, it can be used in just about any setting; especially given the fact that you always have your hands with you 24/7!
One of the greatest strengths of EFT, (in my opinion) is that because it’s so easy to learn, and can be used anywhere, anytime, and is so incredibly GENTLE on the NS, is the fact that it’s never necessary to re-traumatize an already harried NS, in order to heal from its initial trauma(s)! This is GREAT for anyone; but especially for those suffering from PTSD!
The actual tapping sequence was developed to follow a specific algorithm that follows the acupressure/acupuncture meridians (aka nerve branches & bundles), corresponding to specific organs and systems in the body to ensure nothing gets missed. That said; if you happen to not follow the sequence, or land on one that you prefer to others and stay there, that won’t affect its effectiveness of EFT, because … you simply cannot do it wrong. How great is that?!!!
I love to share how I came to learn about EFT with people, because as already stated, I’m a bit of a skeptic with some of the other modalities used regularly in the “WooWoo World”.
When my Mom passed suddenly in 2020, and I was executor on her estate at the same time the world got shut down, and … was in the final stages of my practicum (and testing) with my coaching certification, I began having panic attacks. If you’ve ever suffered from them yourself you know how crippling they can be. You simply cannot take in a full breath to help settle your NS, and your chest tightens right up - it’s truly terrifying. Obviously, breathwork, meditation, massage, and other modalities that might ordinarily settle your NS given enough time, aren’t options in such a situation. You need something that can work immediately “in the moment”.
I should also say that I was a double D at the time (lol) … both doubtful AND desperate, so I tried tapping when a friend recommended it, thinking I had nothing to lose. To my surprise it worked, and worked really well! Both in the moment so I could quite literally catch my breath –, as well as within the 24 hours following the first of my tapping sessions. She’d instructed me to not think, but just get busy tapping anytime I felt the anxiety creeping in, so I did – and ‘hand-on-heart’, the panic attacks had completely ceased with the next 24 hours ALTOGETHER!
I was an instant believer & wanted to learn more about EFT as soon as possible. I’m sure you can understand why.
What I quickly learned when I enrolled in the training to become a “Conscious EFT Practitioner” (or emotional freedom coach), was that EFT is able to do SO-MUCH-MORE, than just address anxiety, stress, and panic in the moment. It can uproot years-worth of our conditioned beliefs that hold us back, it can be used for internal family systems (IFS “parts work), for shadow work, and for the installation of a 2.0 system upgrade to our NS – the thing we ALL want! It’s what I like to call the missing link, or ‘how’ of being able to make changes in our lives like we desire doing.
I’ve been able to shake lifelong limiting beliefs around everything from money, to worth, to my health, along with now being able to tap my way through situational stress & anxiety. It really is that powerful despite its deceptively gentle application, so needless to say, I’m ALWAYS up for helping someone out using this life-changing technique just like someone once helped me!
Comments