Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) have gained popularity as a holistic approach to addressing emotional and psychological issues. EFT, often called “Tapping,” involves gently tapping on specific meridian points on the body while focusing on a particular issue or emotion.
While EFT has proven to be effective for many, the most common misconceptions and mistakes that individuals may make during the process have to do with engaging with your emotional response and what comes up.
As a self-help technique, EFT is accessible to all and provides benefits even for those just starting out. It is easy to find resources to enhance your understanding and application of the technique from more qualified practitioners. Seeking training leads to a greater mastery of EFT and a more effective and confident application. Alternatively, you can choose to work with a professional to experience a more powerful transformation.
This post outlines common concerns and sheds light on the nuances that can enhance the effectiveness of this powerful technique.
EFT Works on the Physical Response Associated with the Memory
Tapping can be very successful in shifting beliefs or thinking patterns which makes it appear that it targets the thought itself. However, this is not the case, the shift happens because of your attention to how you feel about the thought. This part of how tapping works is critical to how you apply it.
Use your emotions as a guide
Better tapping results will be achieved when you are aware of having a strong emotional reaction. This can be a huge pointer to the aspects that are worth tapping on. In other words, your emotional response is your guide as to how to tap. The sweet spot for rapid transformation is a SUDS of between 5 and 10.
- If you find yourself flooded with a SUDS score greater than 10, then don’t talk just focus on tapping the meridians and breathing and gently allowing the feelings to flow over you.
- If your SUDS score is between 5 and 10 rotate the tapping points and say whatever comes to mind even if it appears to dwell on the challenge you are facing. Switching to the positive too quickly here it will likely still feel negative.
- if your SUDS score is 0-5 you can begin to introduce the possibility you desire for a positive outcome.
Time elapsed is not an issue
As tapping works by tuning into your emotional and physiological responses means that the age of the problem or the amount of time you have lived with it is not relevant to being successful but how you feel about it. In fact, tapping frequently eases problems that appear intractable with other techniques.
Perfect technique is not needed
Similarly, using the right words or correct procedure is not as important as tuning in to how you feel. Tapping is remarkably forgiving and flexible. So, missing a point here and there, going out of order, or saying things that don’t make sense does not impact your ability to experience a breakthrough. You will gain experience in reading your emotional and intuitive reactions.
Perfect recall or understanding is not required
if you are not sure, just refer to what emerges. it is not necessary to know where you are going before you start. In other words, you can just tap when you notice discomfort without having a full understanding of what is provoking you or why you are having this emotional response. Tapping through what arises can often lead to rapid clarity and resolution.
Concerns about using too much positive or negative language are unwarranted
Both positive and negative language have a place. With a strong SUDS score, it is often most beneficial to just talk about how you feel about the problem itself. This allows you to face it, come out of any denial or suppression, and truly acknowledge how you experience it. You can then begin to introduce the possibility of something better with phrases like ‘Perhaps’, “Maybe’ or ‘I’m open to …’ If you have core beliefs that the situation is not going to change you will notice resistance to these possibilities which indicates further acknowledgment of your position is required before moving in and claiming 100% certainty positive statements.
The power of EFT lies in acknowledging and tapping through emotions and having a sustained practice over time, Generally, you tap on the problem to reduce the level at which it bothers you before switching to positive. The more specific you can be in the stream of consciousness as you tap the better. Usually, the earliest memory or point when the behavior was triggered is the best place to start. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with EFT, orientation the practice around emotional, sensory, and physiological reactions is key.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
