EFT or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a form of energy psychology. Energy psychology is a branch of psychology that addresses the mind and body systems in tandem in order to address the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. EFT is an advancement in our ability to help ourselves and others heal and grow. It integrates about 42 other helping modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy, talk therapy, NLP and various somatic methods. A core principle of energy psychology is the understanding that the root cause of psychological problems is emotional stress. Unresolved emotional stress can cause physical, mental and performance issues. Therefore it is essential to address the root emotional stress when attempting to resolve mental or physical trauma. Now we know that EFT works through the Primo Vascular System. Not only are you stimulating your sensory neurons (that tell you something touched you) when you tap or apply gentle pressure, you are also sending a signal to the brain through the Primo Vascular System. Specifically, the signal travels to the amygdala through the connective tissue where the primo vascular system resides. We also know from FMRI studies that the area of the brain that lights up when you think about your specific issue is the area of the brain that experiences calm. In one study by Peta Stapleton, participants looked at images of high calorie, tasty foods and the brain lit up in a particular area. Then participants did 4 weeks of EFT, followed by new scans. The brain did not light up this time, despite both scans being done when participants had an empty stomach.

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques and was created by Gary Craig in 1995. Conscious EFT is a trauma-informed version of EFT that was created by Nancy Forrester, Executive Director of the National EFT Training Institute in Ontario, Canada. In EFT, going to the oldest (and often biggest) trauma used to be encouraged. In Conscious EFT, the approach is to stay in the present and work with what you feel in the moment. The philosophy of Conscious EFT is that the present is all there is. With that in mind, to facillitate change, we need to work with what we are feeling in the present moment.

EFT has over 300 published, peer reviewed studies and 3 metadata analyses to back up its claims, more than most other accepted self-help methods, and is considered to be an evidence based intervention. Peta Stapleton wrote an excellent book, "The Science Behind EFT". Check out her ongoing work on her website.(https://www.petastapleton.com/) EFT International also dedicates a page to the Science and Research behind EFT. See it here.(https://eftinternational.org/discover-eft-tapping/eft-science-research/)

Researchers are not exactly sure how EFT works, but there is a solid theory. When we stimulate acupressure points the amygdala is stimulated, sending a message of "You're safe, it's safe, we're safe" to our body. When we tap while focusing on a specific memory or experience, while receiving that message of safety from the amygdala, there is a mismatch and the brain needs to reconsolidate to match the new information of safety.

EFT has profoundly changed how I relate to the world. I still have my moments of overwhelm, but I can see the truth in most situations, and act accordingly. I have less in the way of anger and feelings of disappointment and betrayal when life happens...and those feelings are rarely extreme. My kids say I am "creepy calm". I think that's a compliment. And yet, I still find joy in things. For example, I often find myself smiling and feeling joy for no apparent reason.

If you are just learning about EFT, start with an Introductory EFT course. I recommend my EFT for Personal Transformation course. Once you have played around with EFT a little, there are many paths to EFT Certification. I recommend starting with a level 1&2 course through EFT International.(https://eftinternational.org/training/categories/eft-training-level-1-level-2/) Visit their website to check out trainings on line and in person throughout the world. I can also recommend the National EFT Training Institute in Canada. If you are serious about Certification but need more structure, NeftTI offers a Harness the Power of EFT (https://www.neftti.com/trainingcertification/harness-the-power-eft-certification/)nine month course which will take you all the way to accreditation if you do the work. I recommend starting with their DISCOVER the Power of EFT course,(https://www.neftti.com/trainingcertification/discover-the-power/?wpam_id=180) offered in person and now also available online from anywhere in the world.

My answer is that it depends. If you do EFT with a therapist, it is definitely a therapeutic intervention. Simple tapping used by yourself is a tool for self-help, stress relief, and emotional and nervous system regulation. It didn't come out of the therapy world, it came out of Energy Psychology, is an evidence-based modality, and may very well be considered a form of therapy in the future. I think the main thing is scope of practice. When you do EFT with an EFT Practitioner, it is EFT, when you do it with a therapist, it is therapy, when you do it by and for yourself it is self help and self care.

No problem. You can contact Kimberly via email, text or phone, or book a free 15 minute Curiosity Call (https://www.taptogether.ca/service-page/curiosity-call)to get your questions answered. In honour of Kimberly's high school Biology teacher, Mr. Braun, if she doesn't know the answer, we will do our best to find out for you.