EFT employs tapping acupressure points to balance disturbances in your energy field, drawing from Thought Field Therapy, Kinesiology and Chinese Meridian Therapies as well as neuro-linguistic programming and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches.
Studies on EFT have demonstrated its efficacy with specific conditions like PTSD and phobias; however, EFT may work best when combined with other mental health treatments.
EFT is a form of acupressure
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is an energy healing method combining neuro-linguistic programming, Kinesiology and quantum physics that aims to reduce emotional intensity that may be contributing to unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviors or physical ailments – as well as reduce and relieve stress, which may be at the core of depression. EFT’s noninvasive nature usually brings immediate change – research also shows correlations between changes in physiological markers and improvements in psychological symptoms; providing empirical validation for clients who report subjective benefits reported through EFT therapy sessions.
Recent meta-analyses conducted across the United States explored the efficacy of EFT for treating depressive symptoms. Six qualifying controlled trials were included; five compared it with no treatment control while one evaluated EFT against evidence-based alternative psychotherapy (ACT). Trials took place from teenagers to older adults across multiple US locations, with participants ranging from teenagers to older adults participating. Overall, results revealed EFT to be significantly more effective than its no treatment control counterpart and showed robust results with an effect size of 1.268 in meta-analyses while analyses for publication bias were non significant indicating findings were not affected by publication bias bias bias.
The meta-regression results revealed that format and depression severity were key determinants of outcome. Studies utilizing group-based EFT sessions had greater therapeutic outcomes, as did studies with lower depression severity scores; moreover, total EFT session numbers played a part in shaping results; with fewer sessions yielding stronger effects.
Although EMDR and EFT offer promising treatments for PTSD, their adoption in clinical settings has proven challenging. Due to being less well-established than talk therapies which have been validated over decades. Yet there is evidence suggesting they can reduce PTSD symptoms with comparable effectiveness to other evidence-based interventions.
This review suggests that tapping is an integral component of EFT, and its psychological benefits are likely due to this aspect of therapy. A previous study demonstrated this correlation, showing tapping while exploring trauma was associated with decreased amygdala activity, lower cortisol levels and greater vagal tone.
It is a form of energy therapy
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach which reduces psychological pain associated with emotional distress, mood disorders and negative thought patterns. Furthermore, EFT relieves physical symptoms and enhances quality of life based on its mind-body philosophy which asserts that when one component is affected, so too will be its counterpart – meaning EFT’s popularity continues to rise for its ability to ease anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mindful Acupressure (MA) is an integrative form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acupuncture known as tapping on meridian points. MA is often employed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), though its applications extend further such as stress relief, anger management and prolonged or exacerbated grief. MA is non-invasive brief treatment which may be combined with psychotherapy or medication treatments and has proven its efficacy through neuroimaging research, biochemistry studies and clinical trials.
Clond and colleagues conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis (the method of collecting and presenting results from studies), concluding that EFT significantly decreased patient anxiety. They reported shorter interventions as being most effective. Additional research studies have proven its efficacy for treating depression; its evidence for effectiveness continues to grow although why and how it works remains unknown.
While talk therapies such as CBT and EMDR have been around longer, energy psychology techniques are quickly gaining ground in terms of scientific evidence. At present, there have been over 175 studies on energy psychology techniques – with 70+ randomized controlled trials and five meta-analyses dedicated to these topics – showing their efficacy against depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
EFT remains poorly understood; however, its mechanism of action may lie in stimulating acupoints to cause physiological responses such as reduced activity in amygdala and cortex areas of the brain, decreased cortisol levels, and improvements in vagal tone – possibly accounting for its consistently positive results observed during clinical trials of energy psychology.
It is a form of hypnosis
EFT (Energy Field Therapy) is an Energy Therapy technique used to address both emotional and physical ailments. The process entails tapping on various points around your body while speaking your thoughts and emotions aloud; EFT is often employed for anxiety relief as well as grief/trauma healing, weight loss, limiting beliefs/habits change and pain relief; other therapies or natural medicines, like Kinesiology may also be combined for maximum benefit.
This technique is founded on the belief that your mind and body are one system, with emotions being an outward manifestation of an emotional software program running inside of your brain. It involves cognitive science, spirituality, philosophy, physiology and energy healing all coming together at one point to create lasting changes at quantum levels; using techniques like hypnosis, neuroscience, psychology as well as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
EFT is a proven way to reduce stress, anxiety, sleep problems and concentration issues while increasing sleep quality and concentration levels. A 2013 study concluded that Emotional Freedom Technique users experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms with over half no longer meeting diagnostic criteria for this diagnosis. Furthermore, it’s safe and straightforward method for dealing with psychological problems, making it similar to both acupuncture and acupressure treatments in terms of accessibility and ease-of-use.
Your EFT experience should be free with a certified practitioner, available either through online listings or word of mouth from friends and family. Before making your choice, inquire into their training and experience; find someone who understands your unique needs – perhaps combine EFT with therapies such as talk therapy or mindfulness to maximize effectiveness.
There has been considerable research conducted on EFT, yet it still does not qualify as an official medical treatment option. If you suffer from serious or life-threatening mental or physical conditions, medical or psychological advice should always be sought before turning to EFT as a solution. There is evidence suggesting it can help treat some anxiety and PTSD related symptoms but more research needs to be conducted into its effectiveness.
It is a form of meditation
Emotional Freedom Techniques, or tapping therapy, is an innovative energy psychology that utilizes the body’s nervous system to process thoughts, emotions and sensations. Utilizing acupressure points as balancers of energy flow within the body to alleviate emotional distress – EFT has quickly become an appealing alternative to more traditional talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.
Tapping can help people overcome emotional trauma and anxiety by relieving stress. EFT may be combined with other methods, like meditation, to form a more comprehensive treatment approach that is successful at treating PTSD, depression, anxiety and other disorders. EFT seeks to release any negative emotion that keeps us from reaching our goals and enjoying life fully.
The Tapping Method integrates elements of exposure, cognitive processing and physical contact at acupressure points into one mind-body intervention developed by Gary Craig in the 1990s. Based on an earlier approach called Thought Field Therapy developed by psychologist Roger Callahan, Tapping is a form of energy psychology involving tapping different areas of the body sequentially in sequence; each session targeting either specific trauma memories or negative feelings; you can even learn to self-administer this technique.
An increasing number of therapists are turning to this approach as a means of treating chronic pain, anxiety and other emotional conditions. Studies have demonstrated its success at shortening healing time from months or years to days or hours by using new discoveries about our body’s subtle energy system and helping alleviate symptoms by correcting imbalances and blockages in energy flow. It’s easy to implement and can drastically cut therapeutic sessions down by months or even years!
Some of the most widely-applied EFT techniques, including weight loss, chronic pain relief and smoking cessation are currently unproven, making it hard to know whether they work. What research there is is often conflicting and only evidenced at a B or C level.
ReachLink makes finding an EFT practitioner easy; simply choose from their list of qualified practitioners who specialize in this technique and we will match you up! Human care coordinators take the time to assess your needs before connecting you with one who can integrate this therapy into their treatment plan.
