In part 1 of our 3 part series on EFT we explored the question: does EFT work?
Part 2 provided you an overview of the EFT Tapping Technique.
For the third and final part of the series we will explore some questions that are most frequently asked by EFT newcomers centered around how to use EFT. You will also discover a deeper understanding of EFT Techniques and how they work.
13 Questions Regarding EFT
1. How hard do I tap, how many times, and what side of the body should I tap on?
It is good rule of thumb to tap with your fingertips about of 7-10 times on each point, but you don’t have to count.
If it feels good to stay on any one point, it is fine to keep tapping.
A gentle tapping is all that is needed. When there are points on both sides of your body, it works to tap on just the right or just the left or even switch sides during the Sequence. Or you can try using both hands to tap both sides at the same time.
Try different ways, see what feels best to you.
2. How do I know what to say when I’m tapping?
Most importantly, there are no magical right words and you can’t do it wrong.
The words you use just help you tune in to your issue as specifically as possible. You can simply plug your problem into the standard Set-Up and Reminder Phrase formats and usually get results.
You can usually be as free flowing with your Set-Up and Reminder Phrase as you like as long as you stay focus on one specific issue at at time.
3. What do the different tapping points mean?
The tapping points are really just acupressure points.
The original points in the EFT tapping sequence are all endpoints of meridians (energy channels).
An additional point, that was not included in the original EFT Sequence, is the Top of Head (TOH). It is now widely used by EFT practitioners world-wide. The Top of Head is called the “Hundred Meeting Point” in acupuncture and tapping there feels very balancing and effective for many people.
Some like to add a point about two inches under the nipple, called the Liver Point, while doing the Sequence. The Liver Point is also a meridian end-point corresponding to the liver and was included in the original Sequence for a very short while just as EFT was first developing.
It easy eventually dropped from the EFT tapping sequence because its position, directly under the breast, proved to be awkward for women to tap on. Another point that accesses several meridian lines is the inside of the wrist.
4. Isn’t it bad to keep stating the negative, shouldn’t I try to stay positive?
Remember that the Reminder Phrase (repeated as you tap through the Sequence) is a short form of the longer Set-Up phrase, which is actually a positive statement.
For example, the Set- Up phrase might be: “Even though I am experiencing this fear and I can feel it as a constriction in my throat, I love and accept myself.” The Reminder Phrase might be variations on “this fear” “this constriction in my throat,” “this throat constriction,” etc.
A good rule of thumb is to use any words that will keep you focused on the energy of the problem, which can feel uncomfortable.
By allowing yourself to focus on the negative while doing the Reminder Phrase, you give uncomfortable feelings the opportunity be safely expressed and transformed by your tapping.
5. Is there a way to use positive affirmations with EFT?
Yes, but first address the negative feelings and emotions.
Allow this to be a gradual process.
Once your feelings are no longer very intense (at an intensity of 0, 1 or 2) it may be a good time to adjust your Set Up and Reminder Phrases to reflect emotions and states of mind that you would like to feel. If you are ready to feel calm, peaceful, or at ease, then there are many ways to be creative as you tap: “Even though I’ve had this (name problem), it is releasing now, and I give myself permission to feel (content, peaceful, happy, etc) instead.”
Another way to tap in positive affirmations is simply to tap in lists of things you are thankful for, whatever you find beautiful or meaningful, or things you would like to feel about yourself or your life.
You can tap on the points while saying affirmations about today being a good day, consciously bringing positive energy into your day.
6. Is there a way to assess progress without using the scale of 0-10?
Yes. Consider all of the different aspects of the situation or trauma that you are working on. As you complete rounds of your tapping sequence, allow yourself to take a moment to sense what is going in within you:
- Where was the sensation located in your body? For example, if your fear was expressing itself as a tightness in your stomach, is that tightness still there?
- Has the physical sensation lessened, moved, or changed?
- Is there a visual picture that has formed?
- If so, how bright is the picture? Can you see colors?
- How clear are the people and objects in the picture? Does the picture look lighter?
- Is the picture beginning to look more faded?
- Is the picture fuzzy or dispersing, turning black-and-white or sepia?
7. Can I do EFT with children?
Yes, just make it fun! Have a sense of humor and be playful. Get down to eye level with the child and let them lead the discussion. Remember that they articulate things differently than adults do.
Help them describe their problem as specifically as possible by involving colors, sparkles, and shapes.
Use a teddy bear or any stuffed animal or doll to show them where to tap. Let the child tap on the stuffed animal as he or she talks about what is going on, and shift from time to time over to having the child tap on herself.
You can hold a stuffed animal yourself and tap along, guiding the child through the issue.
8. When should I see a practitioner?
Working with a practitioner can provide you emotional support, guidance, a different perspective, and usually – better results.
The subtle nuances of EFT, often called “the Art of Delivery,” are not something you can learn within days or weeks from a book or a DVD alone. If you have a complex issue (like childhood abuse or low self-esteem) and get stuck tapping on your own, it is a good idea to contact a practitioner.
9. Does EFT done over the phone work as well as EFT done in person?
Yes, almost all EFT professionals conduct a large part of their practices over the phone and this isn’t simply for sake of convenience.
A phone session can provide you with more privacy and visual distractions are completely eliminated. Tapping sequences can easily be guided on the phone.
10. Does EFT always work instantly?
Although there are times when profound shifts and positive changes occur immediately, at other times, the process requires many sessions (either with yourself doing the tapping or with a professional practitioner).
Often there are a variety of aspects that have contributed to the concern, and it can take many rounds or sessions to resolve a complex issue.
11. Can EFT cure serious problems medical problems?
The body, mind, and emotions are closely connected and because EFT addresses the whole person, healing results can be astonishing but it is important to remember that EFT cannot be labeled as a “cure” for any serious condition.
EFT can be thought of as an integral part of a healing strategy.
Serious conditions are quite emotionally complex, and EFT can support healing in many ways.
If you are willing to explore possible emotional contributors to your condition (on-going stress, childhood trauma, unresolved grief and loss, identity issues) EFT sessions over time can, in most cases, provide great relief. EFT can also help with symptom relief and can help alleviate the side effects of conventional treatments, medications and procedures (like surgeries for example).
12. I cannot tap with my fingertips, is there an alternative?
You can try simply imagining the tapping.
As you go through the EFT process and visualize tapping each point, certain neural pathways are activated within the brain. Imagining the tapping requires a particular kind of concentration, but many people feel that imagining the tapping gives the same profound results as regular, physical tapping.
13. Can I use EFT with other methods/techniques?
Yes, there are many other healing techniques out there that can be combined with EFT in beneficial ways.
EFT can be incorporated into a Hypnotherapy session beautifully. Reiki, psychotherapy, reflexology, traditional counseling, and countless other therapies can be easily blended with the EFT process.
EFT has no negative side-effects and can be used alongside conventional treatments of all kinds. Many traditional therapists are amazed at how quickly and effectively EFT works and a surprising number of them are now using EFT within their regular practices.
Try blending your own favorite healing practices with the EFT process and discover how rewarding it can be!
Although scientific research still hasn’t deciphered the exact mechanics of how EFT works, what is astonishing is that it works as often and as thoroughly as it does.
The vast majority of people who try EFT often report feeling calmer, more balanced and able to breathe more easily – after just a few rounds of tapping. EFT gives us a way to change the manner in which our emotions affect us; this allows us to enjoy our body’s natural state of well-being.
With the help of EFT it is possible notice, acknowledge, and transform how we feel & express our emotions.
With EFT we can start to respond to our own emotional states and help ourselves feel better more quickly. Our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions affect our bodies and the way we live our lives.
EFT is a tool that can we use to consciously create the lives we desire.