Click on the question below to read the Master's answer.
Which EFT Technique When? How do I know which technique (tearless trauma, movie, where is the pain located, etc) to use when I am using EFT?
The answer is you don’t know and none of us do until we get to work! It is from your observations of your client, or yourself when you are being your own therapist that you decide what to use. We can never know in advance what technique we are going to use and there is no instruction book that says do this for that condition and the other for another. I will write this answer as if you were helping someone else and if you are tapping for yourself you simply make the observations of yourself and ask yourself the questions.
First I think to myself: if this person were to tune into this problem or this memory how much do I guess that it would upset them? How high on the intensity scale do I think they would they get? If my guess is that approaching the problem would bring on tears or emotional hi-jack then I’m already reaching in the tool bag for one of the gentle techniques like Sneaking up or Tearless Trauma, Continuous Tapping or my own technique of Protective Distancing.
Assuming it is OK to think and talk about it, I am going to ask them where they feel it in their body when they think about it. Some people have highly sensitive body awareness other’s live completely in their heads. If they are in the former group then Chasing the Pain is an option, if the latter then Tell the Story may be more appropriate.
The Movie Technique is always excellent for a difficult memory especially for those who visualise easily, however for those who don’t you can use the Soundtrack Technique which may be a radio play of the event.
And of course we can go from one technique to the next. Watching Borrowing Benefits you will see Gary start with Sneaking Up, progress to the Movie Technique maybe interspersing with Chasing the Pain. All of these techniques are tools and each tool fits its purpose. How we learn to use the tools is through practice, practice, practice.
Gwyneth Moss, EFT Master
www.emotional-health.co.uk
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How would getting licensed in therapy help with my EFT practice?
Anyone can learn the basics of “mechanical EFT” and safely use it for personal growth and development or with friends and acquaintances on everyday issues.
However, when one moves into more “clinical EFT” we have to be careful, as
Gary Craig states, that we “don’t go where we don’t belong”, meaning that if a practitioner is not trained in mental health issues, the ethical thing to do, for the safety of the client, is to refer to someone who has been specifically trained in dealing with complex cases. For example, I have not been trained to work with people who are psychotic or manic depressive, so I don’t treat those folks. More important than getting licensed in therapy, it is useful for EFT practitioners to have some sort of training in mental health issues, and to limit their practice to those areas in which they have been trained. One advantage to being licensed is that the practitioner can obtain malpractice insurance, another is that certain licensures allow the practitioner to do third party reimbursement. If the practitioner is willing to get involved with HMO’s it greatly widens the client base, as the treatment can be covered by insurance, and the client doesn’t have to pay out of pocket.
Nancy Gnecco, EFT Master
www.NancyGnecco.com
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How do I get my husband to try EFT?
My Dear Questioner, the raw truth is that the only person you can get to do anything is yourself. If you have presented the information to your husband, and have met with resistance…if you have offered to have him watch some of the DVD’s and he is not interested…If you have asked him to just try it, and he won’t, then the thing for you to do is to work on yourself. You might start with the setup: Even though I am so frustrated that my husband won’t even try EFT, I deeply and completely love and accept myself. Clear your own need to have him change. You might also want to watch Video 3 in the Serious Diseases 1 set – toward the end of the session where Gary teaches Steve to “Radiate Love”. The bottom line is for you to clear your own issues, and radiate love to your husband. He may not ever try EFT, but I guarantee you will feel better.
Nancy Gnecco, EFT Master
www.NancyGnecco.com
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Can you explain the term “Energy Psychotherapy” – and how does EFT relate to it?
Energy Psychotherapy is the name given to a host of cutting edge psychotherapy modalities and techniques that target emotional problems at their source – the body’s energy. There are three aspects of the body’s energy, and different modalities utilize one or more of these aspects. There is an electromagnetic field that radiates in several layers out from the body called the aura or the bioenergy field. There are energy centers, called charkas, that start deep within the body and radiate out into the auric field and beyond in the shape of a funnel or vortex. These energy centers are related to specific kinds of energy and emotion. For example, the base chakra relates to issues of survival. The third energy system, the one used in EFT, is the meridian system. Electrical circuits of energy within the body have been used for 5000 years for physical healing in Chinese medicine which is known to us as acupuncture. When these circuits of energy are disrupted by trauma, negative thoughts, or toxins the person will experience physical and/or emotional distress. We now know that, with EFT, gentle stimulation of specific points along these energy circuits, can clear the disruptions in the meridians. This is the essence of Emotional Freedom Techniques - “all negative emotions are caused by a disruption in the body’s energy meridians,” and can be cleared by gently tapping on certain points, holding in mind the distressing thought or feeling, thereby restoring health and wholeness to the Being.
Nancy Gnecco, EFT Master
www.NancyGnecco.com
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How can I help my clients from falling ‘off the wagon’?
People use or misuse substances or behaviours for one particular reason: It works! Their drug or behaviour of choice quells the anxiety they feel inside. EFT will reduce the anxiety that causes the addict to want to use or act out. You and your client first need to know what is causing the anxiety. Use affecting their behaviour. Immediate issues can include: resentments, shame caused by past behaviour, cravings (not only for the substance but also the lifestyle) just to name a few.
There are two things I give my clients as homework. The first is start working on the Personal Peace Procedure. This will help get to most of the triggers that your client may be experiencing. If you are not familiar with this technique visit www.emofree.com/tutorial/tutormthirteen.htm.
The second thing I have my clients do is a daily gratitude list. Once they have the list done (on a daily basis) I have them tap on each item on their list. This helps people focus on what they want - not what they don't want. These two techniques I find to be quite helpful in assisting clients through their recovery and helping them maintain their sobriety.
The main thing, though, is to help your clients make EFT part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth. This is helpful for those sudden flashbacks or urges that cause them to want to act out.
David Rourke, EFT Master
www.davidrourke.ca
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Where do I begin with someone with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)?
The most important thing to keep in mind in this situation, and in any other for that matter, is that each situation is as unique as we are individuals. PTSD is not something to be taken lightly. Be sure that you have a clear understanding of the severity and how it is affecting their life. If you don’t feel well equipped, as Gary says, please don’t go where you don’t belong.
Sometimes there are so many issues and aspects involved it can be difficult to determine the best starting point. Starting with simple aches and pains can help with opening doors.
In my experience just the thought of addressing one’s PTSD tends to generate a great deal of anxiety. It is important to address this anxiety before you dive into specific details or events. Ask what the thought of working through the issue feels like both physically and emotionally then deal with each aspect. These two actions can help relieve the anxiety and/or “fear of the fear” and aid in achieving the greatest results as you work through related issues.
While EFT allows for the opportunity to work through issues rapidly, a subtler, gentler or less direct approach tends to be best, minimizing the potential for generating unnecessary re-traumatization. Review and consider working with techniques such as “sneaking up” and the “movie technique”.
Key issues are: getting your self out of the way, tuning in and listening carefully and trusting things to unfold exactly as they should.
If you have doubts or are concern about working with PTSD, please don’t go there until you have worked through your own issues.
Sophia Cayer, EFT Master
www.solacewithsophia.com
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Can EFT be used to release trauma that occurred in the womb?
There are two key approaches. The first is to surrogate tap for the unborn baby. You can do this in either of two ways. You can tap as if you are the unborn baby or you can tap for the unborn baby. In either case, I would suggest using as much detail about the trauma as you know, and guess in detail what the unborn baby might have experienced. It would be good to incorporate into such tapping some reframes such as: “It is over. It is in the past. I survived” or “It is over. It is in the past. He or she survived.”
The second approach would be to use the movie technique to process the memory of the trauma, if you, or the person you are working with, has made a mental movie of it based on what you or they have been told or guessed. I am frequently surprised how people form vivid mental movies of events they did not actually see, on the basis of what they have heard or imagined.
This could be equally true of something someone experienced as an unborn baby and had been told about or had speculated about. Not having a verbal or visual memory of the event would not necessarily hinder anyone from having imagined a clear visual and/or auditory as well as kinaesthetic memory of it. It really does not matter if it is accurate. If it is the way something is stored in someone’s mind, then dealing with it as it is stored can be very effective.
Judy Byrne, EFT Master
www.judybyrne.co.uk
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What is an auto-immune disease and what EFT phrases should be used?
Auto-immune diseases are common forms of immune dysfunction, during which the immune system, which normally defends only against invaders, can become confused and attack itself, targeting the cells, tissues, or organs of our own bodies.
There are over 100 auto-immune diseases, common examples are Fibromyalgia, Crohns disease, Lupus, MS, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Graves Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Psoriasis.
Like with any issue we choose to work on with EFT– there are no magic, fit all set-up phrases. Everyone will have different experiences and importantly different perceptions based on traumatic events from their lives.
It is crucial to elicit the precise emotions, descriptions of energetic feelings in the body and images etc associated with the presenting issue directly from the client. Feed the words back as set-up phrases.
Whilst there are no fit all set-up phrases, when working with clients with auto-immune disease, certain generalised questions can be useful to elicit set-up phrases. For example in all cases of auto-immune disease the body is attacking itself, could this be due to a mis-perception of beliefs about self and our environment? Examples I have come across that illustrate this point include:
- The world is a dangerous place - common with people with multiple allergies
- There is not enough sweetness in my life - common theme with Diabetics
Fibromyalgia and Chronic fatigue symptoms both leave the client in pain and without energy to be in the world. Suffers often have lead very stressful lives which they could no longer cope with, leading up to the onset of the illness.
Rheumatoid Arthritis often involves clients with an intense sense of self-blame and guilt preventing movement in the direction they are going.
So a global question for Auto-immune disease sufferers could be ‘If there was a reason why your body is attacking itself what might that be?
When working with any serious illness, it is critical to the client’s healing that they change their view of themselves and their world through persistent use of EFT.
Karl Dawson, EFT Master
http://www.eftuk.com
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How can I use EFT to help my child with school problems?
Emotional Freedom Techniques can be very effective in helping children with problems at school. One of the most important concepts in EFT is that of being specific. First determine whether the problems are being directly caused by something at school, like being taunted on the playground, not liking a teacher, being embarrassed having to give a book report. If this is the case, develop set-up statements that are specific to the school problem. For example:
...Even though Tommy calls me names on the playground and it hurts my feelings, I know I’m still an awesome kid. (Try to have the child identify a specific incident when this occurred, and use The Movie Technique www.emofree.com/tutorial/tutorcthree.htm)
...Even though Ms. X is mean and picks on me, I’m still a good kid, and I’m doing the best I can. (Try to go deeper and find out exactly what Ms. X is doing or saying, and how the child feels about that: Even though Mrs. X put red marks all over my math paper and told me I was stupid, I am doing the best I can. Consider consulting with the teacher.)
...Even though I’m really nervous about having to stand up in front of the class and give a book report, I know I can do it. (Have the child identify where s/he is experiencing the nervousness and tap on the physical sensation: Even though I have this crawly, jumpy feeling in my stomach when I have to stand up and give a book report. Reminder phrase: this crawly, jumpy feeling in my stomach.)
Often problems at school are a reflection of something else going on in a child’s life. Perhaps there is some sort of abuse at home, or the child may be reacting to parental conflict or divorce, and this will manifest as problems at school. In this case, it is important to find the underlying causes and tap on those. A good example of a case where divorce was the core issue of a child's problem with math at school has been written by Syandra Ingram can be read at www.emofree.com/Performance/math-scores-blossoming.htm
In summary, try to help the child be as specific as possible about the problem. Locate, and tap on, the physical manifestations, and consult with school personnel when appropriate.
Nancy Gnecco
www.NancyGnecco.com
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How can I use EFT and Law of Attraction to draw wealth?
EFT and Law of Attraction are a perfect match to attract wealth into your life! The Law of Attraction is always working, so all you need to do is to improve your vibration, and the best tool for this is EFT. Because we have social interactions, business deals and family histories that at times make us feel less than joyful, we need to use EFT to clear limiting beliefs, erase blocks, and feel better, so that our vibration is more closely aligned with the abundance and prosperity we say we want.
So, formulate all your emotional blocks to abundance into targets for EFT. For instance, suppose you are afraid to change or afraid of success, use these emotional issues as your targets for EFT. Maybe you don’t want to stand out, don’t want others to be jealous, or you have limiting beliefs that tell you that you don’t have “what it takes” to be successful. When you use EFT on your limiting beliefs, fears of success, and the specific events that have kept you living a life of scarcity or poverty, you will automatically be improving your vibration, and turning the Law of Attraction in your favor…and soon you will be attracting wealth into your life.
Carol Look, EFT Master
www.AttractingAbundance.com
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Should I use a diary with EFT?
I always suggest my clients keep an EFT journal. In my Level 1 workshops, I even give participants a small notebook so they can record their own Personal Peace Procedure. Handing them a notebook gives a message: “Okay, now you have learned foundational EFT – it is time to put EFT to use to change your life.” Workshop participants say it is motivational to be given a notebook.
It also insures that they do some work on themselves before they come back for a Level 2 and that’s exactly what I want them to do. When they attend my level 2, I ask to see the notebook. What good is an advanced workshop if the participants haven’t done the work on themselves?
When you keep a journal, you can look back and see how far you have progressed. Also, putting things in writing make issues and their aspects clearer so you can address them more completely with EFT.
So, if you don’t already have one, go out and purchase an EFT Journal. You’ll be surprised at how helpful you find writing your issues and progress can be. Use an EFT Journal to pursue your own healing journey.
Rehana Webster, EFT Master, NLP Master
www.behaviourchanges.com
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Can EFT help my marriage? How?
EFT is brilliant at helping marriages and other close relationships. EFT can very effectively resolve the emotional issues that can arise in any relationship. A large majority of upsets in relationships stem from the triggering of earlier unresolved experiences and issues rather than what is currently going on. In other words, the current person or event is the trigger, not the cause.
This can be demonstrated by getting a recent upset (that the person is still emotional about), identifying what exactly is upsetting about it and then asking what that reminds him/her of. Then, tap on whatever comes up and fully resolve it using EFT. Then, re-visit the recent upset (not directly tapped on at all) and, up to 90 percent of the time, you'll find that there is no longer any emotional charge connected to it. If the person still feels emotional about it (i.e. the remaining 10 percent), find out what now bothers him/her about the recent event and it's nearly always something else (another aspect).
It can happen that he/she is being reminded of more than one thing. If it's something else that is bothering him/her or even the same thing, ask "What ELSE does that remind you of?" and do EFT with that (or them). Where both people in a relationship learn EFT, it is a wonderful tool for healing issues and upsets that can arise, which prevents them from accumulating. It is recommended that those concerned get trained up to at least Level 2 so they have a wholesome set of EFT techniques to use in healing and enhancing their relationship and bring the freshness and intimacy back into it.
Peter Graham
www.integrative-clearing.com.au
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What other training helps EFT practitioners? (NLP, TAT, Hypnotherapy, EMDR, etc)
There are a number of other techniques that complement EFT. These include EFT's "cousins" (as Gary Craig calls them) such as TAT, BSFF and TFT. After using EFT for several years, I did trainings in each of these to check them out. I did the TFT workshop to see if the added complexity made a difference. The use of TFT's many and varied tapping sequences didn't help much but I picked up bits and pieces that are useful when applying EFT. I also realized how amazing EFT is with its flexibility and simplicity. TFT is very limited by comparison. I also picked up some useful bits and pieces from studying both BSFF and TAT but found they also did not match EFT effectiveness, flexibility and consistency. But, it was good doing these and I learnt some new ways to apply EFT and new ways to approach certain types of problems. Some NLP techniques and viewpoints are particularly useful when using EFT. Almost all professional EFT practitioners use NLP techniques, the most common being the use of reframing and metaphors. Some NLP courses are outrageously expensive but there are many good and detailed NLP books available. It's good to remember that every one of these energy techniques has something unique to offer but also has its limitations. EFT is by far the least limited technique that I have ever come across by a long long way. Another training that helps EFT practitioners enormously (if they haven't already done it) is some study of the basics of counselling. I realized several years ago that some of the students who were doing my Level 2 and 3 EFT workshops were being limited by their lack of counselling skills, which is why I now run a short course (8 evenings) called The Counselling for Non-counsellors Course, which I run with an experienced Gestalt therapist and trainer.
Peter Graham
www.integrative-clearing.com.au
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Is there a different way we should teach children to tap?
With little children teach them to use their hands to indicate the intensity of their issue. You tell them that their hands together mean no problem and their hands far apart mean a huge problem. For young children I use a shorter version of EFT that is easy to learn and use. You start at the side of the hand tapping and saying, "Even though I am _______, I am still a super kid" and then have them tap at the top of their head, then on the inside of each wrist, and then on the inside of each leg above the ankle as they focus on their issue. [Taught by Michael Gandy on Beyond the Basics videos at www.emofree.com]
For older children you probably want to use the standard face and body points after the setup at the side of the hand. It is important when you are working with a child to be focused on their needs, to use their words, to tap along with them as they are tapping, and check in with them on their issue after a couple of rounds.
For teenagers, if they don't really want to talk to an adult about their problems, you can tell them that they don't have to tell you anything. They can simply focus on their distress as they tap. Suggest they just focus on where they feel the emotion in their body. After a couple of rounds, ask where their intensity is on the 0 to 10 scale. After experiencing the power of tapping without saying anything frequently they are happy to talk to you about their issue.
Mary Stafford, EFT Master
www.mindbodytherapy.com
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How do I use EFT for Depression?
I ask depressed clients how long they have been depressed and what was difficult to deal with in their lives before they became depressed. Frequently they remember losses, traumas, and other difficult situations before they became depressed. Frequently depression is the result of repressing anger, guilt, hate and shame about situations they didn't know how to deal with. Using EFT on those specific situations that occurred before they became depressed frequently clears their depression.
Sometimes the situations that are the source of the depression take a lot of work to discover, especially if the client says they have been depressed as long as they can remember. Even those can benefit from EFT with persistence. Sometimes chronic depression that does not resolve with the persistent tapping is caused by chronic use of substances that are energy toxins and it takes diagnosing the energy toxin and treating it for the depression to end.
Mary Stafford, EFT Master
www.mindbodytherapy.com
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How do I know when to use humor?
The use of humor is an intuitive skill. Basically you sense when you can and cannot use it. Humor inappropriately used can be detrimental to effective therapy.
To develop this intuitive skill it will be helpful for you to:
- Learn to calibrate to your client’s body language etc (Information on calibration can be found in NLP books and on the internet)
- Master the art of developing excellent rapport.
- Do your own work on yourself clearing any issues that you have about using EFT. The more relaxed you are the more spontaneous you can be and thus the better your timing using humor. (Timing is essential for effective humor)
Examples when it may not be a good thing to use humor is if the client is just not in a place to see anything as funny; that can happen when a person is very depressed. Again when you develop the intuitive skill you will just sense it.
Tania Prince, EFT Master
www.eft-courses.co.uk
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How does EFT work with what The Secret teaches?
There is SO much more to The Law of Attraction than just "wishing" for something. For one, it’s virtually impossible to be optimistic about something you want when you’re focused on debt, illness, loneliness, unworthiness, or self-doubt. And it's virtually impossible to attract abundance if you're carrying around "garbage" from your past. By using EFT to neutralize the negativity in your life, and by changing your limiting beliefs into positive ones, you'll be in a more receptive place to attract the life of your dreams.
The integration of EFT and The Law of Attraction is a natural synergy. By learning how to use these two powerful forces together; EFT to eliminate the negative blocks in your way, and the Law of Attraction to attract what you want, you can easily manifest love, money, health, happiness or whatever you desire. I also tap on what you want to manifest as well. So I use EFT for the negative and the positive. For more information on EFT and the Law of Attraction visit the Products page of my website www.LKcoaching.com, or the Free Stuff page for downloads, links, articles and more.
Lindsay Kenny
www.LKcoaching.com
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I am starting my practice and heard you gave lectures at fire stations. What other groups did you visit and what did you talk about?
When I first started doing EFT in a public forum I would do free programs for just about any group or organization that would listen. I presented to Senior Citizen Centers, a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center for women, EMTs, Hotels, Rapid Transit, Schools, Anger Centers, a half-way house for displaced persons, and more.
Each time I did a demonstration with EFT I gained more confidence and more clients. I would use muscle testing to demonstrate how negative feelings affect the body, and then do a demonstration with 2 or more people in front of the class who had issues (relevant to their workplace or organization.) I had everyone else do Borrowing Benefits so they could experience the results as well. I usually did 1-2 hour demos and had great success with it. What a learning experience for me...and them. I highly recommend pro-bono work for groups, if you like that sort of thing.
Lindsay Kenny
www.LKcoaching.com
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How can I use EFT for insomnia?
Ask when the insomnia began and what was happening around the time that it first manifested. Tapping on the emotions or events around the time the insomnia began often is a good start.
A real issue for many insomniacs is the fear of not sleeping. This catastrophising about what will happen if I don't sleep adds to the pressure and stress. The brain can then get into a cycle of fear restlessness and poor sleep because of the fear of not sleeping!
Time line work can help in pinpointing the problem time and often more importantly reconnecting to a time of good sleeping habits. One of Gary's ideas for his ideal weight many years ago could be adapted here. [See the Palace of Possibilities video set for this story.] For example: Tapping on each point and saying something like: My ideal sleep time is....... hours each night and that is what I do. Doing this regularly often works well.
Focusing on what you want while you are working to clear out the negatives is helpful. Doing the tapping at the same time you focus on what you want brings up the tail-enders to resolve.
Many years ago an enquiring client rang up to ask me about help with insomnia and I said: "If you guessed at what is making sleep unsafe for you what would that be?" Her answer to this gave us a lead into a door to open the way to her emotional freedom and improved sleep.
Mair Llewellyn
www.AAMET.org
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There’s too much wrong with me, where do I start?
A really simple start is "Even though there's just too much wrong with me and it stops me starting, I deeply and completely love and respect myself without judgement anyway.
Reminder phrases: I don't know where to start, I have started already, there is too much wrong, where do I begin; what if I began with .............................. Continue with this theme until something more specific that you can work with comes to mind. Deal with this specific issue/pain with all its aspects until that piece feels clear and calm. Then go to the simple don’t know where to start setup again and repeat the process of following a lead or spike that shows up here.
I believe that Gary Craig's Personal Peace Procedure is an ideal method of dealing with a pile of stuff.
This involves writing a list. This could be a list of physical symptoms or memories which have some emotional charge to them. This list is written in no particular order of importance. Making a list in this way helps the task become more manageable.
Then, on a daily basis give the first issue on your list a movie title and deal with one emotional spike at a time until that issue feels clear. Take as long as you need to do this. Clear each spike about that issue. Only when you receive clarity on all aspects of the first issue do you move on to another issue on your list.
For Gary's guidelines on this search under "Personal Peace Procedure"
Mair Llewellyn
www.AAMET.org
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Can you give some pointers on doing EFT over the phone?
First, I make sure that both my client and I have given ourselves the same privacy and safe environment that we would have if we were doing EFT face to face. It is important not to have distractions and that includes anyone else within hearing range for my client.
Obviously, the client has to know the tapping points and for that I refer to Gary Craig’s downloadable manual or I send a document that demonstrates the tapping points. It is very important to make sure your client has something to look at for the tapping points. Please do not just describe where they are verbally. Verbal descriptions leave too much room for error and you want this session to have the best possible result for your client.
I like to work with an ear piece instead of holding the phone so that both hands are free to make notes on my laptop. I can make more notes in phone consultations then when I am in front of someone and that can help in the discovery process. When I look at what I have typed, I sometimes find those elusive patterns or core issues that might be subtly avoiding recognition.
Intimacy and rapport between us is as present in phone sessions as it is in face to face sessions. The reason for that comfort could be that I have seen so much success via the phone, and have done phone sessions for so long; they are just a natural part of EFT for me.
It’s a fact that intuition travels around the globe so it’s just as easy for me to tune into my client by phone as any other way.
For me, phone sessions actually get a lot more done than most face to face sessions. I say, even if you have a negative belief about phone sessions, dip that belief in real life and try it.
Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t have to be limited by geography to work with the practitioner we choose? Most of the skilled EFT practitioners I know have a global client base. Viva la phone sessions !!
Maggie Adkins, EFT Master
www.maggieadkins.com.au
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Sometimes I just get tired of tapping. Should I worry about it?
I don’t know that I’d worry about it, but I’d certainly take a good look at what I am doing. I am assuming that, if you are getting tired from tapping, you are also not getting good results.
It is sometimes difficult to look at our own issues the way a professional practitioner might. If you are not being specific enough or if you are afraid to go into the core issue, you might get tired of tapping before you get good results. Be much more specific about your wording and what you are focusing on. For instance, if you are working on a car accident trauma, instead of tapping on car accident, you might ask yourself, “”What is the worst part of that car accident right now?” You might make a list of all the aspects of an issue and tap on whichever one is the most powerful each time you look at it. There are many ways to make EFT more effective and faster. Putting aspects in writing where you can “see” them can be very helpful.
If you have hidden fears about who you will be or what you will have to do if something is truly healed or released, that also might be part of your getting tired. Perhaps a part of you is sabotaging your good intentions. Ask yourself something like, “What is the worst thing that might happen if this is healed?” If may seem like a strange question, however, the answer could be quite insightful.
If you continue to feel tired from tapping, I suggest working with a skilled practitioner. It may be that only one or two sessions can help you move through an issue as well as help you see how to better work with EFT in the future.
Maggie Adkins, EFT Master
www.maggieadkins.com.au
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Why is homework important?
Three reasons:
1. Attaining success with EFT is a collaborative effort between client and coach or client and practitioner. I want to know that the client is motivated to put aside time every day for his or her own self-care. When the homework is ignored, it's a good example of self-sabotage, and we have additional "tappable issues" to work on.
Clients who come to me say that they want to feel and get better. If they aren't doing the basics of homework for 10 minutes a day, I use this feedback as information about their family boundaries, their self-esteem, and their habits of getting overwhelmed.
2. I want my clients to feel comfortable tapping on their own. I don't want them to feel or be dependent on their weekly sessions with me or their coach/practitioner. The more I can support them doing their own homework, the more they will feel and be empowered.
3. Assigning homework helps me, the practitioner, think more deeply about what would be valuable for the client to work on during the week until the client is able to identify critical issues and underlying blocks on his or her own.
Carol Look, EFT Master
www.attractingabundance.com
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Is there ever a time you don't give homework?
I always give homework! However, if someone is afraid that they may dip into emotional issues that are too traumatic, I recommend they wait until their sessions to clear these traumas and until they feel comfortable using the tool at home by themselves. I never want someone to feel terrified of "what will come up" so be patient and wait until you feel confident the client is on stable ground. Practitioners with more unstable clients may have different guidelines about homework. All of my clients are highly functioning and can always manage to put the lid on any painful material if they don't feel safe.
Carol Look, EFT Master
www.attractingabundance.com
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Can EFT help Trigeminal Neuralgia?
You can use EFT two ways in a case such as this. A very basic application of the standard EFT routine will usually reduce pain very quickly. It does not matter what is causing the pain. However, in a case of Trigeminal Neuralgia the pain is usually very short in duration (although of great intensity) and the sufferer may not have time to use EFT before it reduces naturally. EFT should also be used to reduce the worry about the anticipation of painful attacks and to deal with any feelings of anger and resentment associated with the problem.
If a stressful life is the problem, this too should be treated with EFT. This is a more difficult task but an experienced therapist should be able to lead the sufferer using EFT to a less stressful situation, which can only help the overall picture
Tam Llewellyn, EFT Master
www.AAMET.org
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How important is diet when using EFT?
Diet is always important both in life generally and when in therapy. The old and well worn truism, "You are what you eat", may be old hat, but it is still very true. There is very little point in using EFT (or any other therapy) to improve a client's condition, if that condition is simply to be ruined again by poor diet.
However, EFT has an additional benefit. Few clients have bad diet intentionally, and (if a cause of the problem is seen to be bad diet) EFT can be used effectively as an aid to improve the client's diet and to help the client maintain a better diet.
Tam Llewellyn, EFT Master
www.AAMET.org
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Genetically Inherited Trauma
I spent many years researching with Jack Temple who found that the root of many ills were Traumas, some of which were secondary ('inherited') ones. These 'inherited' traumas created dis-ease(s), initiated by un-released emotional Traumas that were echoing from patients' ancestors. These inherited traumas proved to affect the vibration of the DNA code in the presenting patients. Is anyone else using EFT to remove these 'shadow' (unrealized) ancestral traumas? And how?
The beauty of EFT is that we really can use it on anything. Anything that we can direct attention to, we can bring the intention of healing to with EFT. I have not worked on inherited trauma myself but have worked with known traumas to parents, for example war time experiences. In such cases I have asked the adult child to be the director of a movie the central event of which is the trauma to the parent. I tell them that this movie is like the Hollywood movies that blend known events and fiction and are played by actors. As the director they create the fictional parts that wrap around the story that they were told and cast actors in the roles. Then we simply use the Movie technique on that movie starting with the title then stepping through the emotional scenes clearing them one by one. Much of the content may be semi-fictional but the emotion is real and clearing it makes space for real change.
I have also worked this way with trauma and intense experience to the mother around the time of a person’s conception and you can see this in the case of Roy on my DVD series EFT in Action see www.EFT-in-Action.com
You could use this to help a person to create an entirely fictional movie of historical events many generations back: confined on a slave ship; the dust bowl; famine and war.
In your years of researching inherited traumas you will have found ways of accessing or identifying those echos across the generations. Now I don’t know if that information is visual, energetic or how you might guide a person to experience it but what I would do is to use EFT on whatever is their experience and however they express it. Take their words and put them into the EFT set up and then just go wherever it takes you. Come back to the starting point to test for change.
Gwyneth Moss, EFT Master
www.emotional-health.co.uk
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How can EFT be used with family?
Family patterns (ways of responding to other members), whether past or present, or potential future interactions, are a major source of stress for many. The more stress we are experiencing in our lives, the more our health, vitality and wellbeing are compromised. According to the principles of Energy Psychology this is because all types of stress create
an imbalance and disruption in the body’s subtle energy system. Energy imbalances, including those caused by family dynamics, can be corrected with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
When addressing family issues, most people approach the problem with the desire to "fix" the problematic family member. The point to keep firmly in mind is that you can only "fix" yourself! While EFT is certainly helpful, the key issue to address is the excess emotional response of an individual to the behavior of his or her family member(s).
Begin with an individual’s response to the problems in the family that needed to be "fixed." An entire family structure can often be significantly improved by a single person's ability to find relief from family stresses using EFT. Working with one family member on his or her emotional responses to the dynamics of the family structure can be a good
opportunity to see the effects of surrogate work within the family. Stressful events most often affect all the members of a family structure. Any improvement in one part affects all other parts.
EFT may not be able to change the reality of the stresses in your life. EFT can likely reduce the physical and emotional impact of past and present environmental stress and positively prepare you for potential future stresses both inside and outside the existing family dynamic.
Loretta Sparks, LMFT, D, CEP, EFT Master
www.energypsychotherapy.com
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What is the best way to go about introducing EFT to an addict who is resistant to help?
The addiction is not the problem; the addiction is the ‘solution’ to the addicts perceived problems. The typical approach to treating addiction is to view any addiction as a problem. However, it is important to understand that the addiction is a carefully constructed solution to a problem – a problem the addicted person has yet to accurately identify or solve. Unfortunately, this addiction ‘solution’ eventually causes problems that compromise the emotional and physical health of the addicted person and their loved ones.
Whether viewed as a disease, a biological disorder, or physical and psychological dependency, addictions are treatable by addressing unresolved emotional issues and/or traumas. Seeing the addiction in this way makes EFT an extremely effective tool when treating any type of addiction because EFT addresses the root emotional causes of the addiction and the present manifestations of the addiction, such as cravings or compulsions.
The greater medical community generally agrees that interventions of any kind are best received after the addicted person has experienced a major event that challenges the security that he or she has found in their addiction.
Remember all addictions are the addicts current ‘solutions.’ The addicted person believes their particular addiction works for them. External events may shake this belief, such as losing custody of a child, a spouse leaving, the loss of a job, or simply realizing that they have ended up in a place that they never thought they would. These crisis events give the addicted person the smallest of hints that maybe their life isn’t working as well as they thought it was. During a crisis many addicted persons are more open and less resistant to take the steps toward sobriety.
It is best to try to introduce EFT when the addicted person is sober. Attempting to teaching EFT to a person who is impaired by drugs or alcohol is most often time spent in vain. Waiting until the addicted person is ‘ready’ may take a good deal of patience on the part of the helper.
In addition to the timing of introducing EFT to an addict who may be resistant, there below points can be important to remember:
1. Consider your relationship to the addicted person. You may be too closely involved with him or her and the consequences of their addiction to see the underlying problems clearly. Outside professional help is probably a better option.
2. Introducing EFT with the intention of combating immediate cravings instead of attacking an entire addiction would be a good step in the right direction. Working on cravings offers the addicted person some level of control and offers a good solid introduction to EFT without being threatening.
3. When addressing any issue of addiction with EFT remember the most important aspect: all addicts should be treated with - more love.
Loretta Sparks, LMFT, D, CEP, EFT Master
www.energypsychotherapy.com
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I am looking to study more energy therapies to enhance my practice of EFT. What do you suggest?
My own background is that I had psychotherapy, counseling, hypnotherapy and EMDR training before I discovered EFT. For a time, I felt I had "given them all up" for EFT. Then I gradually realized that I incorporate all that I have ever learned about therapy and the problems that bring people to therapy into the way I do EFT sessions. So I guess it will be no surprise that my question in reply to your question would be why more energy therapies? What are you looking for that you do not feel EFT is giving you?
EFT is amazingly effective and I have gone from thinking that nothing, not even EFT, works for everyone to thinking that when EFT seems not to be working I wonder what I am missing. So my first suggestion would be to go to EFT workshops where you can see really expert EFTers working and learn as much as you can from them. I am still learning a lot from watching the other EFT masters whenever I have the chance. I think we are all still learning from one another.
My second suggestion would be to think about investing time and energy in skills that would enhance your use of EFT, rather than energy therapies that would be additional to it. Some counseling skills will enhance the way you use EFT with clients and will give you a good structure within which to use it as a practitioner. It will also teach you to reflect on yourself and your part in the process and to have good boundaries. Some NLP skills to enhance your rapport-building skills with clients could also be helpful.
The only other energy therapy I use myself is Tapas Acupressure Technique which can be a good way to get a handle on something that is really global and see what specifics it produces. I would then usually switch to EFT to deal with the more specific aspects that TAT has revealed. I also find some of the HeartMath techniques complement EFT well.
Judy Byrne, EFT Master
www.judybyrne.co.uk
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Dear Carol, I notice that you never use the 9-gamut procedure, however, Gary features it in his videos. I don't understand whether I should continue using it or not.
ANSWER
Gary basically put this technique "on the shelf" after realizing the EFT setup phrase and tapping sequence is usually sufficient to get major movement with clients. However, we agree and believe that it is a very important tool and should not be completely ignored.
I also put it "on the shelf" after finding I used it so infrequently, but have found myself taking it off the shelf once in a while. I use it when someone is stuck and unable to get their SUDS level down and with people who have severe left/right brain impairment (my client after a car accident) or apparent inability to process information.
Hope this helps.
Carol Look
www.attractingabundance.com
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How is it that EFT helps with the physical problems?
ANSWER
EFT helps with physical problems in the same way that acupuncture helps with pain management and physical problems. EFT tapping stimulates the energy of the body so that it benefits the vital force of our life. If we think of EFT as a tonic, doing the tapping is a way of improving our state of health.
When we have physical problems frequently there is also an emotional component to our physical problem too. EFT tapping can help with reducing the emotional component such as the stress, frustrations and understandable disappointments of not conceiving. Neutralizing some of this helps our body to be more receptive in responding more normally. Occasionally clients I have worked with found that EFT has helped them to conceive naturally even though they had tried many other methods without success. The tapping procedure and clearing past fears & hurts and current stress can assist our bodies to work more the way that it is intended to be.
Mair Llewellyn Tickhill, England
ANOTHER RESPONSE
Using EFT, you are using three of your senses (sight, sound, touch) and also your intention with the affirmations. Every stimulus given to your brain evokes a cortical electro physical response. You are tuning to health! By helping stuck energy flow again you help regain your homeostasis. Your body’s biochemistry will release the necessary enzymes, antioxidants efficiently with a good working energy system. The basic neuroendocrine circuits will be activated with your affirmations and tappings.
Your unconscious energy system will begin releasing the necessary hormones, catecholamines, enzymes, antihistaminics etc. This is why you can even stop allergies with EFT, your own body releases your own medicine. You can stop pain because you release bodies own morphine, the endorphin.
You can sleep better and with quality sleep you will have adequate melatonin, growth hormone and serotonin levels. This helps fight diseases like cancer and slow or stop its growth.
Your immune system will work better, and also your apoptotic mechanism which destroys the mutated degenerated cells. I believe that many physical diseases begin at the energetic level, when the energy flow is stuck because of our experiences, our emotions. We usually do not try to solve them; instead we sweep them under the carpet.
Try to listen to your inner voice. It is usually telling you the truth. Be careful about your physical health, eat healthy food, do not alter your biological clock, sleep well.
Inci Erkin, M.D. EFT Master
www.drincierkin.com
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I have been unable to conceive, and yet I know intuitively that the issue is not a physical one. I would appreciate your insights.
ANSWER
What I would say would depend very much on what you are feeling, how it is affecting you now and what you are wanting. When I work with a client we may find that some past issues could be impacting you. For instance only today a client said she felt it was her fault that IVF failed. It was her fault that her egg quality wasn't good. Finding out what was behind this belief and neutralising the unproductive effect of this may help to clear the way. Everyone is different, so each session is different.
Here are a few questions which sprang to mind.
What effect (negative and positive) is not being able to conceive having on your life?
What are your beliefs, views about conception and birth?
What help, support or treatment have you had so far?
These are not special questions but the answers may bring insight and expose limiting beliefs. It is useful to tap for feelings, images and perceptions. Often someone not involved emotionally such as an EFT practitioner would be able to be more objective in helping. See Mair’s article on infertility at: www.emofree.com/Cases/fertility.htm
Warmly,
Mair Llewellyn Tickhill, England
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I understand from reading one of your articles that you have improved your eyesight over the last 20 years. Can you give more information of how you did that.
I started my vision improvement with self hypnosis before I even heard about EFT. I have been a hypnotherapist since 1980 so I used a lot of regression to some early trauma to help. I wrote my story about this early breakthrough and it was published in chapter 16 of a book entitled "Through the Open Door - Secrets of Self-Hypnosis" The authors of this book are well know hypnotherapists - Kevin Hogan and Mary Lee LaBay.
In the late 90s I continued to clear limiting beliefs such as "My eyesight won't get any better now I'm older", "My eyesight is as good as its going to be" as well as tapping for the frustration of trying to map read and navigate two opposing demands on my eyes with EFT. I also attended one of Gary Craig's "Serious Diseases" seminars in Dallas and returned to find that during the borrowing benefits there dramatic changes in my eyesight had happened. This was confirmed unexpectedly by a routine eye test when I returned to the UK. Those improvements have continued to hold to this day.
Each individual would need to tap on their own personal limiting beliefs, any trauma which surrounded the time when the eyesight problem first manifested. Tap on your day to day frustrations. Tap for any early child trauma. Both help make positive inroads to clear blockages to healthy vision.
I often say to my clients you cannot lose anything by doing this and you stand to gain a lot. So, be a detective and guess at what may have contributed to how your sight is now and tap on thoughts, beliefs and emotions surrounding this.
I wish you well on you way towards more freedom in looking at your life,
Warmly,
Mair Llewellyn Tickhill, England
Read Mair’s article: www.emofree.com/Articles2/bridge-to-history.htm
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The web site makes EFT all sound so easy and quick. Does EFT really work for everyone all the time? Don’t you have to believe in it for it to work?
No process, technique or treatment works for everyone. Look at how many diets are out there. That being said, EFT has produced such significant results, with such a large number of people, it has become a very compelling technique to explore and experiment with. If an individual does not experience results there are some other avenues to investigate. Allergies and sensitivities can prevent the EFT process from working. Excessive psychological resistance to letting go of the issue at hand can result in no change also. Fortunately, allergies, sensitivities and resistance can be addressed and release with the EFT process. Sometimes it takes good detective work to identify the underlying problem, but with patience and persistence a remarkable number of people achieve results with EFT.
And, no you don’t have to believe in it for it to work. Actually no one believes in it the first time they use it because it is so different from the usual psychological approaches to emotional issues.
Mary Stafford, EFT Master
www.mindbodytherapy.com
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I have been using EFT for over a month (I learnt it from the website) but I cannot make it work for me. I have a bad back. I have also tried it on my husband’s sinus trouble but it made it worse. My son had a sore throat, but it did not work on that either. What am I doing wrong and what set up statements should I be using?
A month is a very short time to learn EFT. The problem could be lack of knowledge and experience. And, not everything is a one minute wonder! Many issues often take much persistence.
Assuming that you are using the basic process correctly the most likely problem to explore first is that you may be using the wrong set up statement. EFT is a personalized system and there in never a ‘standard’ set-up statement for a particular problem. Rather each set-up statement needs to be specific to the individual in treatment. Sometimes a very general set up (e.g. ‘Even though my back hurts …….’) works very well, but for the best results you need to work on one or more specific instances related to the problem (e.g. Even though I was pushed down the stairs and hurt my back ….. Even though I am angry at my brother for hitting me …)
Sometimes EFT works instantly, but more often you have to use it many, many times before the problem goes away.
My suggestion to you is that you study EFT further, preferably with a qualified trainer, but if that is not possible read the articles and examples on this site, Gary Craig’s site (www.emofree.com) and the AAMET site (www.AAMET.org) to increase your knowledge, and by all means, continue to study the EFT videos.
Tam Llewellyn
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I live in Canada, and have recently found EFT. It works great and I am amazed. My husband is in hospital with cancer and I would like to know how I can use EFT surrogately to help him. What setup statement should I use?
I am sorry to hear about your husband. It is certainly possible to use EFT surrogately to help others, but it may be best to find a more experienced practitioner, especially as you are seeking to work on a patient with a serious problem. There is no specific set-up statement for cancer (nor any other specific condition for that matter) and the key to helping your husband will be in selecting the correct set-up statements for his individual case.
Serious diseases can have complicated issues and many aspects. Persistence is important.
Remember too that in dealing with any serious disease you should take care to act within the local law.
Tam Llewellyn
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I have been doing EFT for about 3 years now, and I was recently talking to the head teacher at my son's school (ages 4 to 8), about EFT. She asked me to come into the school and work with the children and with the teachers. I have not done this before and I have no idea how to go about this. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations. Children generally love EFT. But tread softly.
Keep in mind that you need to start small. It is good that you have a credible relationship with the school head teacher. It is always very important that you come across as knowledgeable, credible, competent and trustworthy. Newbies are often tempted to just jump in without sufficient preparation. Doing so may turn off the very people they wish to approach.
Keep in mind, too, that just because the head teacher wants you to work with the teachers that the other teachers may not be as open. Always be respectful to where they are.
Watching the Specialty Series I video where I present on Using EFT with Severely Disturbed Children and reading my handouts from that talk available on that video would be helpful. In addition, the text of my talk on 'Getting EFT Accepted in Institutions' is on Gary's web site and could be helpful to you in understanding the system you are working with.
There are many articles on the EFT web site about using EFT with children. Many of them give useful ideas. There are also some children books on the www.eftbooks.com site.
I have a PowerPoint presentation called Working with Children that summarizes many of the tips for working with children that are found on the emofree.com web site.
Best wishes,
Ann Adams, LCSW
Past EFT Master Director
www.EFT4PowerPoint.com
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I have just found EFT and am amazed that it is so simple and so effective. How can I become a trainer so that I can teach others?
Currently, there is no formal system to become a trainer, but to train effectively in any field you need to have a good grasp of the subject and a lot of experience. Prospective students may want to see what qualifications you hold and may ask what ‘certification’ you can grant.
There are three levels of EFT training set by the originator, Gary Craig, and the requirements for these levels can be found on Gary’s website (www.emofree.com) and on the AAMET website (www.AAMET.org). Gary does not give specific requirements for trainers, but the AAMET does and they can be found on their website. AAMET qualified trainers are authorized to award AAMET Practitioner certificates Levels 1, 2 & 3.
Tam Llewellyn
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I want to start an EFT business but always feel so awkward when I am networking for new business. I feel uncomfortable about approaching others. Any good hints on ways to sell my skills.
One thing to remember is the 4 letter word in networking: work. It is not about you or selling yourself. It is really about developing relationships. To develop any good referral source they must know you, like you and trust you.
People like to talk about themselves and what they do. Ask them questions that focus on who they are and listen closely. Questions like: How did you get your start in…? What do you enjoy most about what you do? How is your business different from other businesses like yours? What is your favorite tip for someone just starting out? What are your favorite ways to promote your business? How would I know if someone was a good referral for you?
People love to talk about their business. This approach helps them feel comfortable around you and they see you as a great conversationalist. AND it gives you a structure for your networking meetings. The benefit to you is that you no longer focus on your discomfort when you are focusing on them. When appropriate in the conversation you can add information about what you do but turn it quickly back to them.
But only ask questions if you are really interested. Paying close attention to another person is one of the most attractive traits a business person can have.
Ann Adams, LCSW
Past Director EFT Master Program
www.eft4powerpoint.com
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Where can I find an EFT practitioner in my area?
All of the EFT Masters geographic locations are listed on the EFT Masters World Wide site under “Find an EFT Master.” Almost all of the Masters conduct EFT sessions over the phone. Phone sessions enable you to have a session with an EFT Master where ever they are located. If you do want a face to face session with an EFT practitioner and there is no EFT Master located near you unfortunately, there is no exhaustive listing of all EFT practitioners on any one site. Check your local listings as many practitioners chose to market only in their local area – and some counselors, etc use EFT only as a part of their practice. However, the following three sites do have many EFT practitioners listed:
www.emofree.com
www.aamet.org
www.masteringeft.com/EFTPR/PractitionerList.htm
Patricia Carrington and Emma Roberts have both written excellent articles about how to best choose an EFT practitioner and get the most from the session.
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How can I use EFT with my animals?
EFT can be a very powerful tool when used on our pets and animals - the results can be dramatic! In short, there are two ways that you can use EFT for your pet. The first option is to actually physically tap on the animal, much like you would for yourself or another person, using the major points such as the top of the head, side of the eye, under the eye, etc. The phrases that you use can be a simple and straightforward as naming the problem. For example, "Even though I have this problem, I'm a good dog." As you continue, other things may come to mind. Be creative and don't be a afraid to say whatever comes to mind - your intuition may be sensing something that your beloved pet needs to hear, and even if it isn't, you can never hurt your animal by saying something that may not be entirely correct. The second option is to tap for your pet as a form of surrogate tapping. This would function much the same as surrogate tapping for another person. Tapping on yourself for your pet can be just as effective, if not more, as physically tapping on them. Start out with the karate chop and a set up phrase, as you normally would. For example: [Karate Chop] "I'm Fido, and even thought I have this problem, I truly and deeply love and accept myself." Continue on with the basic EFT recipe. You can find more information on surrogate tapping on Gary Craig's site www.emofree.com. Remember, be creative and be persistent - your pets' problems may not disappear after a single round or even several rounds, but there as plenty of success stories out there to keep you going.
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How do you use EFT with babies?
Gary Craig says that one of the best things we can do for our children is to teach them to tap continuously from an early age. This will serve to neutralize all the negative stuff they may accumulate over the years and result in a much freer adult. A great way to do this is to start tapping with our children when they are babies, particularly if there are problems like restlessness, fear, digestion problems, colic, etc. Birth itself can be potentially traumatic for a baby. Giving a baby the comforting effects of tapping and balance can be immensely beneficial whether specific problems are evident or not. You can tap for your child or baby surrogately, using set up phrases like "I am [baby's name], and even though this place is new for me, I truly and deeply love and accept myself." You can also tap (or gently rub the spots) on your baby, using whatever facial and torso points are comfortable to reach at the time - but remember to be gentle! It has been suggested to tap lightly with your ring finger only as this finger has the least muscle strength and will help ensure that you are not tapping too hard. Your baby will make it clear to you when they are receptive to tapping and when they are not. Sometimes, when they are crying or very upset, touching their face may only increase their frustration or aggravation. Pay attention to your baby’s signals. Using EFT is not meant to replace meeting true and legitimate physical needs.
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Since many believe that pregnancy plays an important role in the fetus experiencing the emotions of the mother, it seems that EFT can address those issues along with delivery complications. I just haven't seen much on this topic.
Tapping for pregnancy and birth issues is just as easy as tapping everyday for any other issue. There are hundreds of success stories concerning tapping for pregnancy - both the physical issues often involved with being pregnant as well as the emotional issues. Tapping during pregnancy can be used to effectively address emotional issues such as fear and sadness, and has also been reported to be effective on physical issues such as morning sickness, pain and discomfort, and hormonal imbalances. Likewise, EFT can be an extremely effective tool during the birthing process and throughout labor. Many people have experienced great success in achieving a sense of calm and decreasing pain during labor using EFT. There have been reports of EFT being effective in altering the less than ideal position of a baby before the birth occurred. As a warning, however, many people believe that using the more recently introduced "inner ankle point" may be harmful for women who are pregnant. In fact, on www.emofree.com, Tapas Fleming along with several others cautions against using that particular point at any stage of pregnancy. More information on the inner ankle point can be found at: http://www.emofree.com/faq/pregnancy.htm
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EFT and dental phobias
Many people experience fear when visiting the dentist and some of these people can even be classified as having a dental phobia. When addressing an issue such as a dental phobia, it is important to address not only the present feelings of fear, but, perhaps more importantly, to address the root cause of the fear. This could be something that the client experienced in the past concerning someone else, for example, a child who witnesses his mother experience extreme pain due to a visit to the dentist may come away with a fear of visiting the dentist themselves later in life; or the root of the fear could lie in a past personal experience of the client. Either way, the best way to treat the phobia itself and not just the current symptoms is to bring the client back to the first times they remember associating these negative feelings with being at the dentist’s office. Using the art of reframing can also be highly effective when addressing these types of issues. One my own clients who struggled with a dental phobia could remember two specific incidents in which she experienced extreme amounts of pain at the dentist yet had to remain in the chair whilst the work continued. While working on the first and earliest event, she recalled thinking "I'm going to die." I used this extreme exaggeration in the set up phrase, so when we began working on the second event, amongst other things, I used the very simple reframe "I'm going to die..........again." This was just a subtle reminder to the client that, despite her extreme emotions, she did in fact survive. Dental phobias present very addressable issues for EFT, although some may be more stubborn than others. The real skill lies in addressing not only the current fears and emotions, but in finding the root causes of the feelings.
Tania Prince, EFT Master
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Mother has Trigeminal Neuralgia
According to the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, "Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is not fatal, but is universally considered to be the most painful affliction known to medical practice. " Being such a severe condition, it may be easy to fall in to the trap of thinking that nothing could possibly be effective, let alone EFT. But, like other physical and disease symptoms, there are often deep, sometimes unrealized emotional issues at the root cause of neuralgia. EFT will be effective on both the physical and emotional aspects of this disease. You can tap on yourself or your client for the immediate issues, such as physical symptoms and pain, and you can (and should) address the deeper emotional issues mentioned above. A good example of a case of neuralgia is a case that I did during my EFT in Action DVD series. The client presented with a case of neuralgia. We first addressed the fears associated with having a neurological disorder as these were the immediate feelings. We then tapped on a memory of being beaten up as a kid by a school bully -- and being kicked in the face in the process. There were many other aspects to this trauma, but the presiding point is that this scary, neurological disorder had a deeply emotional root hidden in a childhood trauma. Physical disorders really are a result of a disruption in the body's energy system and they almost always have an emotional contributor.
Gwyneth Moss, EFT Master
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Building Your Practice
