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What Are The Stages Of EFT?

What Are The Stages Of EFT?

Stages Of EFT

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an alternative approach to treating emotional pain. It's been shown to help with anxiety, stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as other mental and physical problems. This blog post covers about basics and different stages of EFT.

Therapy can be both beautiful, as well as a daunting experience for an individual. Even if you're thinking about seeing a professional or a therapist, you could be unfamiliar with the therapy procedure, whatever type of therapy it may be. 

You, like all clients, will desire to advance so that you can live a happy life and build cognitive abilities that will help you deal with a variety of issues.

However, it may appear to be a game of chance. What if you have no idea how long the journey would take or what you'll need to do?

If you ever want to opt for Emotional Freedom Techniques, which s one of the best tapping therapy, we've detailed the stages of EFT therapy progress to help you see where you're going.

You can use this article to guide you through the procedure rather than pressing ahead blindly.


The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination”.

Carl Rogers


WHAT IS EFT TREATMENT?

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known as EFT Treatment or EFT Tapping, is a form of therapy method which involves a process of intentional tapping (gently, with fingertips) on acupuncture meridian end-points on the face and upper body while saying statements based on psychology out loud (1).

An EFT intervention utilizes the same pathways/channels found in traditional Chinese energy medicine, whilst also capitalising on 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 is a technique that is long-lasting, gentle, and usually quick. There are no drugs or specialized equipment required, and it is simple to learn.

It is self-applicable once learned. 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 life situation, 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 we can make changes for the better.

In simpler terms, Emotional Freedom Techniques is a talk and touch therapy that addresses issues such as:

  •  Stress
  •  PTSD
  •  Chronic pains
  •  Nervousness 
  •  Weight issues
  •  Anxiety
  •  Depression
  •  Anger

EFT is also helpful if:

1.

You want to learn more about emotional wellness or treatment

2.

You release yourself from limitations and heal from inside

3.

You want to assist yourself as well as others

4.

You're looking for a new career that will allow you to help others recover and transform

5.

You want to improve your career as well as your emotional well-being

emotional freedom techniques treatment

THE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF EFT TAPPING

Humans have known about the healing properties of such locations for well over 5000 years. Many countries' historical medical histories include treatment of these sites, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which utilises needles to activate these "acupoints."

Dr Roger Callahan, a psychologist, spent many years refining his technique, which he called TFT (Thought Field Therapy).

Several therapists who studied under Callahan went on to develop new therapies based on his principles.

Some of these remedies are still proprietary and subject to copyright restrictions, while others necessitate substantial (and sometimes costly) training before they may be utilised properly.

Gary Craig, a Stanford engineer turned personal trainer who trained with Callahan in the early years of Thought Field Therapy, founded Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which stands out as being simple and open to anyone.

Gary Craig developed Emotional Freedom Techniques as a result of Callahan's impact, an approach that works like magic when it comes to healing the root cause of any distress (2).

EFT Tapping Background

THEORY BEHIND EFT TAPPING

EFT has developed from a long line of therapies that began thousands of years ago.

The theory behind EFT is the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system. A distressing event or incident causes the disruption in the energy system and hence a negative emotion and in some cases a negative belief.

Once the energy system is balanced the emotional charge goes away. The underlying idea here is that you aren’t "mentally blocked”. Rather you are “energy blocked”. When you use the simple EFT tapping steps you clear through blocked channels.

When you use EFT it gives relief by re-wiring the energy system and bringing it back into balance so you feel calmer, more at peace and ready to let go and move on.

Emotional Freedom Techniques

WHAT ARE THE TWO ASPECTS OF EFT TAPPING?

EFT Tapping is an alternative therapy that involves two primary aspects- talk and touch. 

Emotional Freedom Techniques

Talk:

EFT's primary element is communication. Tapping, like many other therapies and healing modalities, is a form of communication. The value of talking in therapy can be gauged by the fact that a branch of psychotherapy called Talk Therapy was developed on it. Talking about feelings and emotions might genuinely help people change their perceptions and how they evaluate things. This feature of conversation is also incorporated into techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Touch:

Touching is an important part of EFT Tapping because it is one of the five love languages. Touch, which expresses caring, affection, and presence, can be an enormously essential aspect in healing. The importance of touch can be shown in the fact that babies who have had enough or any safe touch are less likely to have psychological difficulties later in life than babies who have not had enough or any safe touch. The method EFT Tapping uses touch is tapping on certain areas on the body known as Tapping points.

Emotional Freedom Techniques

Creating a safe environment in which to practice EFT with yourself and others:

The first step in working with oneself or others is to create a nonjudgmental, accepting, and understanding environment. The same guidelines apply whether you're utilising EFT on yourself or with others.

We shall now refer to the individual getting the therapy as a client and the one facilitating the treatment as a practitioner, whether you are self-applying EFT or working with others.

 When it comes to self-applying EFT, we propose that you take on both responsibilities. Consider the type of atmosphere you want to establish for yourself while undergoing therapy.

The following are some suggestions:

  • Respectful 
  •  Loving 
  •  Non-judgmental 
  •  Trusting 
  •  Compassionate 
  •  Attentive 
  •  Present 
  •  Accepting 
  •  Understanding 
  •  Kind and helpful 
  •  Encouraging 
  •  Humourous 
  •  Light-hearted

For those new to EFT, it is also known as Tapping Therapy, which combines tapping on acupressure points while saying statements out loud to accept situations.

If you would like to experience the power of EFT Tapping first hand, just download the EFT Tapping Booklet below.

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.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF EFT TAPPING?

When people are concerned or upset, or when they have a specific issue that they want to tackle, they frequently use EFT tapping.

It may, however, be good for a person prior to an occasion that they anticipate would generate stress or anxiety, or any other mental discomfort. 

The basic EFT approach is to identify the issue and then begin tapping. Physical tension, for example, may have an aspect of the experience of pain or the emotion the pain is creating.

Begin with the aspect that the client is most aware of, then work on it one at a time. Move on to the next aspect when the intensity decreases.

There are five stages of tapping using EFT. You can repeat this procedure if you have more than one issue or fear to address and minimise or remove the intensity of your negative feelings (3).

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY THE ISSUE

To use this technique effectively, you must first identify the problem or concern you are dealing with. While tapping, this will be your focal point.

It is claimed that concentrating on only one problem at a time will improve your accomplishments. 

Obtain particular information regarding the discomfort. This could be a description, underlying feelings, or details regarding the source of the pain.


You can also analyse your feelings and emotions by asking yourself or another person questions.

a)

Identify what the problem is and the associated feelings. For example: 

  • I am really stressed because i have too much work and it makes me feel anxious.” 
  • “I feel like a failure because my mother is always criticising me.” 
  •  “I am too scared to ask for business as I will be rejected.” 
  • “I am too scared to go out on a date as I feel unattractive.” 

b)

Identify what is causing the problem and what specifically happened. For example: 

  • I am really stressed because I had an argument with my partner (about...) and I am really upset now.” 
  • I am scared of going on a date because I have been rejected by men all my life and the first time was when I was 7 years old and (describe what happened).” 
  • When I was at school my teacher humiliated me in front of the class.

c)

Identify if the stress is causing any pain or tension in the body. 

For example: 

  • I am really stressed and it is causing me to have a throbbing headache.” (describe the kind of headache)

Every problem has a series of aspects. In EFT we recommend working through one aspect at a time. Begin with the aspect that is most present for the client.

The one that has the highest emotional charge. As the SUDs of the original aspect lowers move to the next aspect.

Sometimes you will notice aspects are inter-related. never assume you know your client’s aspects. Work with their aspects using their words at the pace they are comfortable. 

STAGE 2: DETERMINE THE INITIAL LEVEL OF INTENSITY

After you've identified your problem area, you'll need to establish an intensity benchmark. The level of difficulty is measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most difficult.

The scale measures how much mental or physical pain and suffering you're experiencing as a result of your main problem. Write down the number based on how strong the issue is emotional.

After you've completed the entire EFT procedure, you can use a benchmark to track your progress.


If you started with a ten-point intensity and ended with a five-point intensity, you'd have made a 50-per cent improvement.

STAGE 3: THE SETUP STATEMENT

Before you start tapping, come up with a sentence that describes the problem you're trying to solve. It must concentrate on two key objectives:

  • Recognising the problems
  •  Regardless of the issue, you must accept yourself

The Setup Phrase has two components:

  1.  The opening statement
  2.  The affirmation.

Key to the opening statement:

  •  The words come from the client, not the practitioner 
  •  It doesn’t matter whether you believe the statement or not 
  •  It’s better to say it with feeling and emphasis 
  •  It’s better to say it out loud 
  •  It must be in the client’s words

AFFIRMATIONS

  • Statements of Intent
  • Phrased in the Positive
  • Often Repeated

OPENING STATEMENT

  • Statements of Facts
  • Usually Negative
  • Often Repeated

"Even if I have this [fear or problem], I truly and completely accept myself," is a popular setup phrase.

You can change this statement to match your needs, but it must not be used to solve someone else's problem. "Even though my mother is unwell, I deeply and completely accept myself," you can't say. 

To alleviate the distress caused by the problem, you must concentrate on how it makes you feel. “Even though I'm sad my mother is sick, I deeply and completely accept myself,” is a better way to approach this circumstance.

STAGE 4: EFT TAPPING SEQUENCE

The EFT tapping sequence involves tapping on the endpoints of nine meridian points in a methodical manner.

Each side of the body has 12 primary meridians, each of which corresponds to an internal organ. EFT, on the other hand, concentrates mostly on these nine:

Karate Chop 

Small intestine meridian

Top of Head  

Governing vessel

Eyebrow

Bladder meridian

Side of the Eye  

Gallbladder meridian

Under the Nose 

Governing vessel

Chin 

Central vessel

Beginning of the Collarbone  

Kidney meridian

Under the Arm  

Spleen meridian

Begin by speaking your setup phrase three times while touching the karate chop spot. Then, proceeding down the body in this ascending order, tap each subsequent location seven times:

  • Eyebrow
  • Side of the eye
  • Under the eye
  • Under the nose
  • Chin
  • Beginning of the collarbone
  • Under the arm

Finish the sequence by tapping the top of the head point after the underarm point.

Recite a reminder phrase while tapping the ascending spots to keep your focus on the issue area.

"Even though I'm sad that my mother is unwell, I deeply and completely accept myself," for example, your reminder phrase may be "The grief I feel that my mother is sick."

At each tapping location, recite this phrase. This procedure should be repeated two or three times more.

STAGE 5: FINAL CLEARING

On the Karate Chop say the starting set-up phrase again (name the original problem again) “Even though I ...(name problem), I deeply and completely accept myself.”

STAGE 6: RELAX

Relax, take a gentle breath in and out and take a sip of water. It is very important to drink water to flush out any toxins that get released. 70% of our bodies is composed of water – drinking water is vital to our health and vitality. 

STAGE 7: TEST THE FINAL INTENSITY

Measure the problem from 1 to 10 once more. Take note of how the problem and the original emotion differ.

Compare your results to your beginning level of intensity. If you haven't reached zero yet, or if you still have an emotional charge, repeat the tapping technique until you feel better.

Work gently and patiently; nothing should be rushed.

For many people you will notice a physical change, a sense of relief or possibly a new insight about the problem. 

The location of the pain might also change. This is called chasing the pain and a very positive sign that EFT is working. Explore emotional contributors, triggers, events or situations. 

DOES EFT TAPPING REALLY WORK?

EFT tapping is a simple technique for bringing the mind back on track and reducing your discomfort so you can figure out what you really need, whether it's a vacation from work or a therapist visit.

Furthermore, EFT tapping is extremely safe—the worst that can happen is that you don't notice any change in your anxiety or stress levels. 

There is a lot of evidence to support the claim that EFT works and works well.

EFT has been successfully utilised to treat PTSD in war veterans and active military personnel. Researchers compared the effects of EFT tapping on veterans with PTSD getting standard therapy in a 2013 study.


Participants who received EFT coaching sessions lowered their psychological stress significantly within a month. Furthermore, more than half of the EFT test group no longer met the PTSD diagnosis. There have also been some positive results from persons who have used EFT tapping as an alternate treatment for anxiety (4).


In a 2016 study, the effectiveness of EFT tapping vs typical anxiety treatment approaches was examined. When compared to patients who received other types of therapy, the study found that anxiety levels were much lower (5). 


In a 2017 poll of EFT practitioners, the majority (63 percent) said that EFT could heal even complicated PTSD in ten or less sessions. Almost 90% of those polled said that just about 10% of their clients make little or no development. It's worth noting, too, that these findings are based on self-reporting by EFT practitioners. EFT is frequently used with other treatments, such as cognitive therapy, which may contribute to the treatment's success (6).

EFT tapping is an alternative treatment for a variety of emotional and mental issues. suggests that it is definitely useful for anxiety, sadness, and PTSD, and many other discomfort. 

While tapping may help some individuals feel better, it's equally crucial to get expert care if you're experiencing physical or mental pain. Anyone thinking about adopting EFT should consult with their doctor first.

They should seek out the appropriate practitioner or therapist and explain their healing process, including all of the stages they will go through.

One should only choose a treatment after learning everything there is to know about it.

Keep learning and exploring!

Love,

Dr Rangana Rupavi Choudhuri (PhD)

P.S. Want to discover if EFT is right for you? Book a Complimentary Discovery Call.

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.

In summary, Emotional Freedom Techniques is a type of acupressure therapy that can help you rebalance your energy if it's been distorted. It has been approved as a treatment for PTSD in war veterans, and it has shown some promise as a treatment for anxiety, sadness, physical pain, and sleeplessness and many more. If you choose EFT tapping, you will go through a few stages. For better and smoother results, you need have a basic understanding of how your healing process works.


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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