Lately I have been using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as “tapping”.

It is a form of counseling intervention that incorporates elements from various therapies including cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and acupressure.

Here’s a simplistic description:

• **Tapping**: EFT involves tapping with your fingertips on specific meridian points on the body, which I lead you through when we come up with a fear, phobia, or some other feeling that is keeping you stuck. The points are often located on the face, upper body, and hands.
• **Verbalization**: as I mentioned before while tapping, you focus on a specific issue or emotion that you want to address. What is interesting is that you also repeat phrases of what I call mantras. These validate the issue and either promote self-acceptance, such as, “Even though I feel this [emotion/issue], I deeply and completely accept myself”, or challenge you to do more. Even though I feel fear while getting blood drawn, I know I am strong enough to handle it. I often go back and forth with clients between these 2 phrases to promote self acceptance and challenge clients to confront the issue.
• **Sequence**: A typical EFT session might start with identifying a problem, rating its intensity on a scale (often 0-10), proceeding with the tapping sequence, and then re-evaluating the intensity afterward to gauge progress.
• **Mechanism**: The theory behind EFT suggests that the tapping helps to balance the body’s energy system, reducing disturbances caused by emotional issues, and leading to relief from the intensity of negative emotions or physical pain. I don’t know how much the impact is related to energy versus the cognitive reframing that is done along side it. I know that either way, being in your body and reframing fear is a powerful way to shift.
• **Applications**: EFT is used for a variety of issues including anxiety, stress, phobias, chronic pain, and even some physical conditions where stress might play a role.
• **Simplicity**: One of the appeals of EFT is its simplicity; it requires no special equipment, can be done almost anywhere, and doesn’t necessitate a therapist after one learns the basic technique. I will say that sometimes things come up when you start using it. But over time this is something you can do on your own, anytime!

Reach out if you are interested!

Nicole C Weiss LCSW

• Phone: 619-318-5012
• Email: [email protected]