what is eft ?
Exploring emotions, creating space, reconnecting within.
EFT invites us to explore and gently release the emotional patterns and beliefs that shape our experience, creating space for greater freedom, clarity, and possibility.
emotional
freedom
techniques
By bringing attention to thoughts, emotions, memories, or physical sensations while tapping on specific points on the body, EFT can support a greater sense of calm, emotional balance, and self-awareness.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as “tapping”, is a non-invasive mind-body practice that combines emotional awareness with stimulation of acupressure points.
what is the process ?
EFT invites us to bring gentle awareness to what we are experiencing in the present moment. During the practice, we focus on a specific emotion, thought, memory, or physical sensation while gently tapping on meridian points on the face and upper body.
This combination of focused attention and rhythmic tapping creates an opportunity to slow down, connect with our inner experience, and approach difficult emotions with curiosity and compassion.
While different perspectives exist about how EFT creates change, many people describe experiencing new insights, a softening of emotional intensity, and a greater sense of inner balance.
the roots of eft
EFT was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, an engineer and personal performance coach. It evolved from Thought Field Therapy (TFT), a technique developed by psychologist Dr Roger Callahan, which introduced the use of tapping on specific points of the body while focusing on emotional experiences.
Gary Craig simplified this approach into a more accessible practice that could be learned and used by individuals to explore emotions, work with distressing experiences, and develop greater self-awareness.
Today, EFT is practised around the world both as a practitioner-led approach and as a self-help technique. Many people use EFT as a way to explore emotions, navigate stress, and cultivate greater emotional awareness, resilience, and balance.
Different perspectives on how EFT works
There are different perspectives on how EFT may support emotional change, reflecting both its origins in energy psychology and its more recent exploration through scientific research.
Whether you are drawn to the energy psychology perspective or prefer to understand EFT through a scientific lens, having a practical tool to support emotional awareness and regulation can be valuable. EFT offers a simple practice that can be carried with you and used as a way to pause, reconnect with yourself, and bring a greater sense of calm when navigating life’s emotional challenges.
Energy Psychology perspective
Within Energy Psychology, EFT is understood as working with the body’s energy system. Drawing from concepts in traditional Chinese medicine, this approach suggests that the body contains pathways known as meridians through which energy flows.
Emotional distress is sometimes understood as being connected to disruptions or imbalances within this energy system.
From this perspective, tapping on specific points while focusing on an emotional experience is believed to help restore balance, supporting a greater sense of harmony between mind and body.
Clinical EFT perspective
Clinical EFT explores the practice through a research-based lens. Studies have investigated its effects on emotional wellbeing and have found associations with reduced stress, anxiety, and physiological markers of stress, including lowered cortisol levels.
From this perspective, the benefits of EFT may be linked to several interacting processes, including focused attention, emotional processing, exposure to difficult emotions, and the calming effects of rhythmic tapping.
Research continues to explore the mechanisms behind EFT and how these different elements may contribute to emotional regulation and wellbeing.
EFT may support you with:
- Managing stress and overwhelm
Creating space when emotions feel intense or difficult to navigate. - Repetitive thoughts, emotional patterns and limiting beliefs
Exploring beliefs, reactions, and habits that may keep you feeling stuck. - Difficult emotions
Working with feelings such as fear, frustration, sadness, or anger with greater awareness and compassion. - Self-confidence and inner resources
Developing a kinder relationship with yourself and reconnecting with your strengths. - Life transitions and challenges
Finding support when moving through periods of change, uncertainty, or emotional adjustment.