The Emotional Freedom Technique in Therapy
By Randi Fredricks

The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a group of powerful processes that can help just about anyone to achieve genuine freedom from the emotions that have created problems in their lives. The EFT techniques have been described by some as one of the most important breakthroughs in the area of psychology in this century. They have been used successfully with thousands of people with a broad range of difficulties.

EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for over five thousand years, but without the invasiveness of needles. Instead, simple tapping with the fingertips is used to input kinetic energy onto specific meridians on the head and chest while you think about your specific problem - whether it is a traumatic event, an addiction, pain, etc. -- and voice positive affirmations.

The Chinese use acupuncture, which is a medical practice. Needles are inserted into certain meridians where energy flows through the body. The needles, once inserted, can stimulate the acupuncture points. The Chinese have had remarkable success using this practice. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) works on the same principals as acupuncture without any use of needles.

EFT is based on a revolutionary new discovery that violates most of the beliefs within conventional psychology. It contends that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system. With remarkable consistency, EFT relieves symptoms by an unusual (but scientific) routine of tapping with the fingertips on a short series of points on the body that correspond to acupuncture points on the energy meridians. Where there is an imbalance, there is a corresponding blockage in the flow of energy through the meridian system.

The tapping serves to release the blockages that are created when a person thinks about or becomes involved in an emotionally disturbing circumstance. When this blockage is released, the emotions come into balance. Once balanced, the person cannot get upset about the circumstance no matter how hard they try. The memory remains but the charge is gone. Typically, the result is lasting and the person's awareness usually changes in a positive way as a natural result of the healing.

EFT is capable of dramatically relieving emotional disturbances along with many physical symptoms. EFT is helpful in various areas:
  • PTSD
  • Insomnia
  • Fears and Phobias
  • Allergies
  • Sexual Abuse Issues
  • Anxiety and Panic Attacks
  • Traumatic Memories
  • Pain Management
  • Compulsions and Obsessions
  • Concentration
  • Physical Conditions and Healing
  • Depression and Sadness
  • Dyslexia
  • Grief and Loss
  • Negative Memories
  • Peak Performance
  • Self Image
  • Nightmares
EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture, to treat emotional disorders. Focusing on the issue and stimulating the major neural pathways initiates a memory process causing change by unblocking the emotional short-circuit. This process results in substituting positive emotions for the negative emotions, which were previously learned and associated with the issue.

The process initially requires the person to think about the event or issue. Simple tapping with the fingertips is used to input kinetic energy onto specific meridians on the hand, head, and chest. This combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing specific phrases works to clear the emotional block from the body's bio-energetic system. This restores the mind and body's balance, which is essential for optimal learning and mental health. EFT can dramatically enhance intellectual performance simply by eliminating the emotional lids on our intellectual potential.





Randi Fredricks has a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Psychology. She runs her own natural health business, All Things Well, and counsels clients at her office in San Jose, California. You can reach her at 800-957-5655 or contact her online. This article is taken partially or in whole from Randi Fredricks' book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems.



Randi Fredricks   :::   1723 Hamilton Ave Suite D, San Jose, California, 95125   :::   408-315-0645

Contact Randi Online

This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Randi Fredricks is a Marriage Family Therapist Intern IMF 56610 supervised by Mary Crocker Cook MFC 24835. Randi Fredricks is not licensed with the
California Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine. © 2001-2008 Randi Fredricks All rights reserved.