Emotional Freedom Techniques

History

Here’s a brief bit of the back story on Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT. First there was TFT or Thought Field Therapy. This was developed by a psychiatrist named Dr. Roger Callahan.

The story goes that he was working with a patient named “Mary” who had such a strong fear of water that she could not even get into a bathtub without experiencing severe anxiety. Although he had tried many anxiety reduction techniques with her, progress had been slow and discouraging. Mary could not even approach the swimming pool on the grounds of his office, or allow water to contact her body, without experiencing near panic.

One day, while they were working with this fear in his office, Mary indicated that the fearful feeling was located in her stomach. There happens to be an acupuncture point located directly under the eye, which in traditional acupuncture, is linked to the stomach meridian. Dr. Callahan asked her to tap on that point. He did so on the assumption that this help her lessen her stomach symptoms.

Mary agreed to tap under her eye and did so. Then a totally unexpected thing happened. Instead of merely experiencing relief from the stomach symptoms, she called out in surprise that her fear of water was suddenly gone! Callahan didn’t take this too seriously at first because it seemed unlikely. However, when he saw her get up and run toward the swimming pool and splash water on her face, he took notice.

At this point he became somewhat alarmed because he knew Mary couldn't swim and he ran after her to make sure she didn't fall into the pool. It turned out, however, that the process of tapping under her eyes while she was talking about her fear of water, had led to the elimination of her fear.This was a dramatic instance of what Gary Craig, who was later to develop Callahan’s discovery into the tapping method known as EFT, calls a “one minute wonder”.

Acupuncture Points Can Change Your Emotional State

A psychiatrist named John Diamond, M.D, made an earlier discovery that the stimulation of certain acupuncture points can bring about changes in emotional states as well as in physical conditions.

Of course, this has been known for centuries by practitioners of Chinese medicine. In fact, the emotional connections of acupuncture points and organ systems have been mapped by Chinese doctors. Callahan, knowing this, decided to explore the possibility of using strategic tapping on certain meridian points to treat other phobias.

Not all the phobias that Callahan then tried this out on yielded to the tapping procedure as rapidly as Mary’s had (although surprisingly some did!). But her experience marked an important turning point. A new technology had been born, that of systematically tapping on strategic spots on the body while repeating key phrases out loud. This system could bring about beneficial changes in one's emotional state, and thereby treat psychological problems.

Dr. Callahan used specific sequences of acupoints for different emotional problems. According to him, there was a correct sequence for every emotional issue and this could be determined for a particular individual through the use of muscle testing.

Later he devised specific tapping sequences which he called “algorithms” that were considered targeted treatments for various emotional problems. Using this method of treatment, which he originally called “The Callahan Techniques” (now it is known as “Thought Field Therapy” or “TFT”) Callahan achieved some remarkable results in his clinical work over a period of years.

Gary Craig's Innovation

The problem with Callahan’s system is its very time consuming and you have to learn a lot of algorithms. It occurred to other people who practiced this technique that there might be an easier and quicker procedure and one that people could easily do at home.

In the mid-1990’s, engineer and personal performance coach, Gary Craig, developed a single algorithm method called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

When Gary worked with EFT, he found it to be every bit as effective as the more elaborate and time consuming approach that Callahan had developed, and also easier to learn. He then proceeded to construct what is presently the leading website in the energy psychology field, www.emofree.com, and is the acknowledged master of the technique he developed.

Through his classic Basic EFT Course (13 videos on CD, 1 audio on CD and 1EFT Manual on CD) he brought this method to the world, and today he continues to innovate with new variations of EFT in order to increase its effectiveness.

How Does EFT Work?

While the exact mechanism of EFT and acupuncture is not known, there are many theories and a lot of research into the relationship between the mind and body. The science of the connection between the mind and body is currently being explored in fields like Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and is daily being used by practitioners of Chinese medicine and other modalities like EFT.

The basic premise is simple, emotions become lodged in the body via neural pathways and repeated memories or related experiences reinforce these pathways. If they are not resolved or freed from the body they can manifest as some type of pathology.

Depending on who you are, what type of constitution and natural vulnerabilities you have, you will manifest different problems as a result. It may become pain, or an ulcer, it may become inflammation or heart disease. Whatever it is, it becomes part of your body and is a causal factor of your disease.

Techniques like EFT and acupuncture can free this from your physical body and actually help to rewire this neural circuitry so that you can become healthy again.

The Process Is Simple

Here’s a basic picture of the points used. If you go www.emofree.com you can download a free version of the manual which gives you a good basic introduction to how to do it. The process is simple.

emotional freedom therapy points

First, identify the issue. Second use an affirmation to clear any subconscious resistance you may have. It goes something like this “Even though I (fill in this blank with your issue), I deeply and completely accept myself.” Third, tap through the sequence of acupuncture points you see in the picture.

In my opinion, its better to work with someone who has some experience with the technique the first few times, it will save you lots of trial and error. After that you can do it at will and literally free your mind from emotional and physical issues that you may have had for years.

I have used it myself to get through emotional issues that years of therapy were unsuccessful in helping. If you have seen the movie, The Secret, you are familiar with their message of the power of positive thinking.

For many of us, its not that easy. The reason is, we have years of neural circuitry already established and you can't just erase it. EFT allows you to do the rewiring that can get you to a place where you can make significant changes in your life.

With this tool you can change the habitual thinking and behavior that keeps you in the middle of your present problem. Try it, the chances are you will be pleasantly surprised with the result. And it is completely safe; there are no side effects, no drugs and no toxicity. You can't lose.

Emotional Freedom Techniques really could be the missing ingredient keeping you from a happier, healthier life. Make an appointment here and mention this website for a 50% discount off your first session.

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