How Do I Learn EFT Tapping?

In this article, I have described my journey from a non-believer to being an EFT Practitioner and Trainer!

Having done my doctorate in Cancer Research from Oxford University, I was convinced that science is the only way forward and that anything that deviates from it is plain buffoonery.

By that, what I actually meant was that medicine, as understood in its most conventional form, is the only hope and cure for all ailments.

The other women in my life - my mother and sister- were familiar with alternative emotional wellness therapies.

My sister used to run workshops where she used alternative healing techniques. I involved touching certain points on the face and upper body, and believed that this will help people alleviate physical and emotional pain.

Once I was visiting her and she was conducting a similar workshop at her home. I was mocking and laughing from afar at how stupid my sister could be to believe that something so bizarre can work.

That was the first time I watched alternative therapy in action.

I suffered from migraines and used to experience splitting headaches on a daily basis. Nothing was helping and I felt I was doomed.

One day, when I was at my mother’s, I had a similar headache. My mum noticed and asked me to try out this alternative therapy she knew.

I agreed begrudgingly. When we’re in pain, we aren’t worried about logic. We just want relief.

The alternative therapy she used was Emotional Freedom Techniques.

And it worked!

That’s how I was introduced to it and decided to go learn it professionally. Here’s how I learnt and accumulated knowledge about EFT over the years.

WHAT IS EFT TAPPING?

Emotional Freedom Techniques, generally referred to as EFT Tapping, is a form of alternative therapy method which involves intentionally tapping (gently with fingertips) on acupuncture meridian end-points on the face and upper body while speaking statements based on psychology out loud.

An EFT intervention takes into account the same pathways/channels found in traditional Chinese energy medicine, and at the same time, taking advantage of our ability to think about or "tune-in" to our problem or issue in proactive ways.

EFT or “Tapping” is easy to learn and flexible enough to be used by anyone.

It can allow us to transform the way we respond to uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and troubling memories (with pain, tension or stress, for example).

Whether it is used alone or together with an experienced practitioner, EFT can bring surprising–and lasting–relief, change the energy we bring to any situation in life, and so much more.

As we explore EFT for ourselves, we can become more aware of how our thoughts, beliefs and emotions affect us physiologically and make changes that will improve our lives.

New to EFT? Learn how Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping heals.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) is clinically proven to lower stress, tension, anxiety, past-trauma to enable health, happiness and vitality.

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THE STANDARD EFT PROTOCOL (aka Standard EFT Tapping)

The Standard EFT Protocol is the “Setup” and “Sequence” of tapping points that comprises one full round of EFT Tapping.

It is based upon the shortcut to the original EFT Basic Recipe and is designed to align with EFT developer Gary Craig’s Gold Standard EFT protocol.

The Setup: Speak aloud, “Even though I have [this issue], I deeply and completely accept myself” (state 3x while tapping the Side of the Hand point).

The Sequence with Reminder Phrase: Speak aloud, “[This issue]” while tapping each point in the Sequence:

Top of the Head (TOH),
Eyebrow (EB),
Side of the Eye (SE),
Under the Eye (UE),
Under the Nose (UN),
Chin Point (CH),
Collarbone (CB),
Under the Arm (UA)
Thumb
Index Finger
Middle Finger
Little Finger

Options Tapping Methods:

The Setup phrase can be spoken only 1x at EFT Advanced Practitioner Level
Additional points such as Gamut Point or the Finger Points may be added
Top of the Head may be tapped last or for positive phrases
Additional strategies such as the 9 Gamut Procedure, Under the breast, On the wrist, Ankle points, Thymus Points and Sore Spot may be used as needed

Sample round of EFT Tapping:

The Setup – Tapping the side of hand: “Even though I have this headache, I deeply and completely accept myself,” Repeat 3x

The Sequence with reminder phrase:

Sample round:

Top of the head:

This headache...

Eyebrow:

This headache...

side of the eye:

This headache...

Under The Eye:

This headache...

Under The Nose:

This headache...

chin:

This headache...

collarbone:

This headache...

Under The Arm:

This headache...

thumb:

This headache...

Index Finger:

This headache...

middle Finger:

This headache...

Little Finger:

This headache...

Breathe in and out and take a sip of water

Closing the sequence – Tapping on the side of hand: “Even though I have this headache, I deeply and completely accept myself,”

THE SETUP (or “Setup Phrase”) For Standard EFT Protocol

The EFT Setup is the first part of the Standard EFT Protocol, done at the beginning of a tapping round to prepare us for the changes we seek and/or to help us refocus the tapping when a separate Aspect arises.

It is not necessarily a required component for every tapping round, but is highly recommended for achieving optimal results.

The Setup Phrase itself is a two-step process:

The first step is to tap on the SOH (Side of the Hand, originally called the KC or Karate Chop) Point while speaking aloud a phrase acknowledging/ tuning-in to the energy of the problem, uncomfortable feeling, thought, challenge, or body sensation (e.g. “Even though I have this ,”)

The second step is to continue tapping while stating an affirmation of self-acceptance, acknowledgment, or positive intention to “balance” the negative focus. This allows us to step back objectively from the problem (e.g. “…I deeply and completely accept myself)

For example: “Even though I have this pain in my neck, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

Either part of the Setup Phrase can be flexed in style, language or emphasis, based upon the needs of the EFT client. For example, Even though I have this pain in my neck, it feels better than it did 5 minutes ago.

THE EFT TAPPING SEQUENCE

The Sequence is the second part of the Standard EFT Protocol. It refers to tapping the 8 EFT meridian endpoints in succession.

Eyebrow (EB)
Side of the Eye/Temple (SE)
Under the Eye (UE)
Under the Nose (UN)
The Chin (CH)
Collarbone (CB)
Under Arm (UA)
Top of the Head (TOH)
Thumb (TH)
Index Finger (IF)
Middle Finger (MF)
Little Finger (LF)

While saying a short, specific Reminder Phrase (e.g. This red headache in the side of my head).

The Reminder Phrase is the issue-at-hand from the first half of the Setup phrase – the words that describe the subjective experience of the client (feelings, thoughts, body sensations, etc.).

It is used to maintain focus on the specific aspect the client has chosen to address.

THE BASIC RECIPE AND THE 9-GAMUT PROCEDURE

The original version of EFT Tapping as taught by EFT developer Gary Craig included four parts that are often not used in the more common shorter versions.

The four additional parts are called:

Tapping on Finger Points
Adding the 9-Gamut procedure (using the Gamut Point (Point 6 in the image))
The Liver Point
The Sore Spot

Each of these extras can be used flexibly. Many experienced Practitioners, Advanced Practitioners and Trainers incorporate these elements in their EFT Tapping practice from time to time.

Add the Finger Points, Sore Spot, Liver Point or the 9-Gamut procedure to extend your Sequences, shake up the normal tapping procedure, and see what happens.

THE ORIGINAL EFT Tapping BASIC RECIPE

Focus on the negative emotion and assess its intensity on a scale of 0-10.
Perform the Setup: While tapping on the Side of the Hand point or gently rubbing the Sore Spot, repeat the following three times: "Even though I have this [uncomfortable emotion], I deeply and completely accept myself."

Tap through the Original Sequence while stating the Reminder Phrase with each point: Eyebrow, Side of the Eye, Under Eye, Under Nose, Chin, Collarbone and Under the Arm. (In the original sequence, Top of Head was not used.)

Now tap the Finger Points. For each finger, tap at the base of the nail on the side of the finger that is towards the body, starting with the Thumb, Index Finger, Middle Finger, Little Finger (you skip the Ring Finger, because the same meridian is tapped when you tap on the Gamut Point).

These points are actually on the thumb-side of the hands, along the L-shaped borders of the fingernail beds.

The Gamut Point is on the Back of the Hand between the knuckles, at the base of the ring and baby fingers (see the EFT Booklet for illustrations).

For the 9-Gamut Procedure (so called because of the 9 steps involved), you continuously tap on the Gamut Point while performing the following 9 steps:

Close your eyes.

Open your eyes.

Eyes hard down to the right (head stays still).

Eyes hard down to the left (head stays still).

Roll the eyes 360° in one direction

Roll the eyes 360° in the other direction

Hum a bar of a tune (such as “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat” or “Happy Birthday”)

Count, 1-2-3-4-5, then hum the bar of the tune again

Return to the original sequence and tap through all the points again, stating the Reminder Phrase at each point:

Eyebrow Point (EB), This [uncomfortable emotion]
Side of the Eye (SE), This [uncomfortable emotion]… etc.

This is the complete Original EFT Basic Recipe (now called “The Full Basic Recipe”).

How To Self-Heal & Become An EFT Practitioner

Discover how EFT Tapping can help you to self-heal or to become professionally qualified as a Certified EFT Practitioner. Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) is clinically proven to lower stress, tension, anxiety, past trauma to enable health, happiness and vitality.

BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY DISCOVERY CALL

In summary, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an alternative therapy that is used to overcome physical and mental issues that people experience. It involves tapping on specific energy points on the body, primarily on the head and the face. It relieves our symptoms and helps us restore balance in our body.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is purely for educational purposes and does not in any way replace the requirement for medical and psychological diagnosis and treatment. Please do seek professional medical and psychological diagnosis and advice for all medical and mental health conditions. It is advised to always book any consultations with qualified professionals.

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