What is EFT?
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. It is basically a combination of traditional Chinese/Indian energetic theory (meridians) and modern talk therapy techniques. It involves light tapping on acupuncture points (no needles) to stimulate the energetic pathways (meridians) of the body while focusing on a particular issue consciously by talking about it. The idea is that your body has developed an electrical pattern or rut for that issue. By disrupting that pattern or rut while focused on it consciously, your body can deal with it in a different way. I have found this article on the Huffington Post a great description of the science behind EFT: Huffington Post Article
What if EFT doesn’t work?
I’ve only had a few cases where a client had minimal or no response to EFT. Both involved friends who did not want to get deep enough into the emotional aspects of their problem. I accepted that as their choice. I feel if you are willing to explore the experiences and memories contributing to an issue, then we will be able to make good progress. However, if you are not able to, or for some reason I cannot discover the path to address for your issue and you do not experience any relief, you can have a full refund. In some instances a client is not ready to make progress, and in that case I would ask you allow some time to pass before attempting EFT again. That is how much I believe in EFT and the successes I have had! I will put my money where my mouth is. 🙂
When should I use EFT?
I have seen EFT work on hundreds of issues. For the purposes of coaching, I find it especially helpful to address beliefs based on previous events that are keeping you stuck in a situations. Beliefs like “I’m not _____ enough”, “People like me don’t ______”, “It’s nearly impossible to _____”. Sometimes we have memories from when we were small that we have interpreted to mean that we will always have the same outcome. Using EFT is a great way of re-framing memories and events into what they are – something that happened in the past that doesn’t need to have a bearing on my future.
Additionally, I personally have seen it stop daily panic attacks after just a couple of sessions, alleviate migraines in a few minutes, drastically decrease or erase pain caused by injury or disease, relieve anger and other unwanted emotions, release bad/traumatic memories and their hold on the mind, and instantly alleviate allergies to name a few. It has helped children and pets. I have read case studies about its effect on countless other issues. In the EFT community, our motto is try it on everything. After one session, you will have the tools to use EFT yourself and try it on everything in your own life! I would love to hear about the success you have seen in your life applying EFT.
What can I expect from a typical session?
Before we start, I would provide you a questionnaire about what types of changes you would like to see. We would then discuss them and determine priorities, and whether they are your real goals and if they would really make you happy.
We would also discuss what blocks/reasons/excuses that have been holding you back. We would talk about what small, intermediate, and long-term goals you could set. We would talk about specific things you could do that very week.
Then we would tap on the anxiety or doubt you have about moving forward (everybody has them!), so that you feel empowered to take your next steps.
In future weeks we would talk about what went well since the last time we talked, what didn’t go well, what other thoughts and beliefs came up, how your friends/family are or are not supporting you, and what might make sense to do differently.
I seriously am genuinely happy for successes and am sympathetic to set backs.
While we will have an agenda, we are also able to veer off into other areas that might come up and support you may need there.
The session is 100% about you.
What happens after a session?
At the end of each session, I will give you some tapping phrases for you to use at home on a regular basis. The more you tap at home, the faster and more effective the process will be. I ask clients to commit to a minimum of 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. If you can tap longer or more frequently, it will only help you resolve your issue more quickly. The homework you do is the most important part of the process. A session serves to focus you and guide you in the right direction. You are the one doing the real work when you incorporate it into your life.
Are there any side effects?
The most common side effect is a tiredness immediately after the session. I feel it is because the body is releasing the energy attached to the beliefs and emotions concerning your issue. Not everyone becomes tired, but most people do say they feel very relaxed. Many are often excited about the new possibilities for their life. Often during the session, clients will have deep sighs, yawns, and even itchy noses. Again all of these are cues to me that you are releasing stored energy.
Do you guarantee that EFT works?
During your session, I guarantee that you will feel encouraged and hopeful about the next week and the direction you are going. For the tapping, I guarantee you will feel a noticeable relief on what we tap on. We will assess this by asking you to quantify your level of distress on a scale of 1-10 before we begin. As we work, I will regularly ask you to reassess your level. This will both help you realize the progress you have made and keep us focused on the issue. If during or after the initial session of your first package you do not feel encouraged, hopeful, and/or do not feel that tapping works for you, I will gladly refund your money.