What Is EFT Tapping and How Does It Work?

A Beginner's guide to Emotional Freedom Technique.

Let’s break it down…

EFT, often referred to as Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping, is a therapeutic healing method that combines cognitive therapy with somatic therapy. It involves tapping on specific acupressure or meridian points on the body (similar to Acupuncture but without using needles) while focusing on a particular emotional issue or physical sensation. 

In essence, EFT is a form of Counselling, Talking Therapy or Coaching. What makes it different though, is that it draws on various theories of alternative medicine including Chinese Acupuncture, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Energy Medicine. 

The goal of EFT is to reduce the intensity of negative emotions that you’re experiencing, such as stress, anxiety, fear, or pain, and promote a sense of emotional and physical balance, by regulating the Central Nervous System, and realigning negative thought patterns.

By tapping the specific acupressure points, plus using specific targeted language and EFT Tapping scripts, it can help re-balance your energy, alleviate physical and emotional pain and help release emotional distress from past or present events that may represent some kind of personal fear or trauma for you. 

It involves saying an "acceptance statement" while tapping points like the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, and collarbone to help calm the body's stress response and bring a sense of relief. 

Many EFT studies have demonstrated its efficiency for both physiological and physical symptoms. It’s a highly effective technique to help with many issues like anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, social anxiety, imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, phobias, pain, neurodivergence, plus much more. 

It's non-invasive and safe to use with groups or in a 1:1 session with a professional therapist like myself. You can also start Tapping by yourself as a self-help technique. EFT can be used with adults and kids and I work with both.

How does EFT work?

EFT Tapping rewires the brain's response to the proposed threat or fear, and the thoughts and emotions associated with it. We then experience more calm in our body as the relaxed amygdala sends the signal to the endocrine system to stop producing stress hormones, cortisol.

Tapping on specific meridian points sends calming signals to the brain—particularly the amygdala, the part of the brain involved in the stress response. This can help “reprogram” the brain's reaction to emotional triggers.

We literally ‘tap into’ and release emotional blocks caused by past traumas. We do this by accessing the subconscious mind through memories and chasing the energy. 

In a one-to-one EFT session, I will completely guide you so you can stay present.

There is lots of modern research on EFT now, and it shows promising results. Studies suggest that EFT can:

• Reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) by 43%

• Lower anxiety and depression

• Improve PTSD symptoms

• Relieve physical pain

• Plus many more, as more studies are coming through now…

​ A typical EFT session follows these basic steps:

1. Identify the Issue

   Choose a specific problem you want to address (e.g., “I feel anxious about my job”).

2. Rate the Intensity

   On a scale from 0 to 10, rate how intense the issue feels.

3. Create a Setup Statement

   Create a phrase that acknowledges the issue while affirming self-acceptance.Example:“Even though I feel anxious about my job, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

4. Start the Tapping Sequence

   Tap with your fingertips on 8–9 key acupressure points while repeating specific reminder phrases.

5. Reassess the Intensity

   After one full round of tapping, rate your intensity again. Repeat as needed until the intensity decreases

Advanced and multi-skilled therapist’s like myself have the experience to hold very safe spaces whilst unravelling issues that are holding your back. In your EFT Tapping session, I often combine Reiki Energy, Coaching, Visualisations, Inner Child Work and Shadow Work to help you find more self-love and acceptance.

If you’d like to have a chat to find out if EFT Tapping is right for you, and you’re ready to change how you feel about yourself, contact me.

If you want to learn more, follow my Tapping Tuesday videos on social media via my Instagram and Tik Tok account @ela_nedra

Love & Light

Emma 

Ela Nedra Health