A Beginner’s Guide to EFT

Ever find yourself stressed out, anxious, or just plain stuck? You know *something* needs to change, but you’re not sure what or how? Well, you’re in for a treat. The life line that you are looking for? That's EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique. Some people call it “tapping,” (me, I'm some people) others call it “the one-minute miracle” (and they took that disclaimer down because someone took it too literally), but either way it is AMAZING!  

EFT’s got some serious stress fighting fire-power, and the best part? It’s simple, it’s practical, and YOU can do it wherever you are. Even while taking care of the kids, driving the carpool (you technically can tap your side of hand on the steering wheel - but maybe wait for a red light just to be safe), or in between rounds of stirring tonight’s spaghetti (multitasking queen, I see you!). Ready to have your socks rocked? 

First Things First, What Exactly Is EFT? 

Okay, let's jump in. EFT is a combination of ancient Chinese acupressure techniques (think acupuncture without the needles) and modern psychology. It’s East meets West in the most empowering way possible. 

The technique revolves around gently tapping on specific meridian points on your body - we call them "acupoints", while addressing an emotional or physical issue - the what to say when tapping - those are called "scripts".

By tapping on these spots and talking through the issue, you’re essentially telling your brain, “Hey, it’s safe to relax and release this!” And just like that, you start feeling calmer. Your energy flows better, your head clears up, and the problem feels as if it just faded peacefully into the background of your memory, no longer causing you distress. I really wish they'd teach this in school. It's life changing!

Because IT WORKS. Mind-blowingly well. And fast. You don’t need a Ph.D., weeks of training, or expensive equipment. All you need are your fingers. If you want to know about why we tap you can watch the beginning video of The Tapping Basics here.

Here’s what EFT can help with:

• Stress relief: From annoying traffic jams to full-blown work meltdowns, EFT has your back. 

• Anxiety and worry: Whether it’s social gatherings or that “Did I lock the door?” loop, tapping can calm your racing thoughts. It fixed my agoraphobia (you know those people who can't go outside of the house because their anxiety is so extreme? That's agoraphobia).

• Physical pain: Headaches, tension, even chronic pain, people see significant relief with regular tapping. 

• Self-confidence: EFT helps release deep-rooted doubts and self-criticism, clearing the way for that badass version of you to shine. 

• Cravings: Fighting the urge for a late-night ice cream raid? You can Tap On That too!

  
  

Seriously, there’s a reason celebrities, therapists, and wellness gurus swear by this stuff. I love that it’s finally being recognized in mainstream media - check out this Jane The Virgin video - Click Here - at 1min:10sec. They got the acupoint order wrong (lol), but YAY for telling the public about it! 

How Does EFT Work? A Quick Breakdown 

EFT is surprisingly simple, and once you get the hang of it, you can use it anywhere. Here’s a quick summary of how it works:

1. Identify the Issue: Pinpoint what’s bothering you and name the emotion tied to it. Whether it’s stress, frustration, or anxiety, be specific.

   
   

2. Rate the Intensity: On a scale of 1 to 10, assess how strongly you feel about the issue. This helps track your progress as you tap. 1 being the least emotional intensity and 10 being the greatest emotional intensity.

   
   

3. Use a Setup Statement: Acknowledge the problem while showing yourself compassion. Say something like: “Even though I feel [emotion] about [issue], I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” Repeat this while tapping the side of your hand. - Don't worry too much, I create the scripts for you. You can learn what to say in our Tapping Basics series video here.

   
   

4. Tap Through the Points: Using your fingertips, gently tap through the key EFT points (eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, under nose, chin, collarbone, underarm, and top of head) while stating reminder phrases like, “I feel stressed about this deadline.” Want to watch me show you each acupoint? You can learn exactly where to tap in our Tapping Basics series video here.

   
   

5. Check In and Repeat if Needed: Reassess the intensity of your feeling. If it hasn’t dropped significantly, continue with another round, adjusting your statements as needed. Once you feel relief, shift to positive affirmations like, “I’m capable and calm.”

   
   

That’s it! EFT is fast, easy, and highly effective, just a few minutes of tapping can create a noticeable shift in how you feel.

Why Try EFT? 

Honestly, why not try EFT? The worst that can happen is that you spend two minutes awkwardly tapping your face and trying something new. The BEST that can happen? Massive emotional breakthroughs, reduced stress, and a lighter, freer version of yourself. 

This method has been backed by multiple studies for stress and anxiety relief. It’s no wonder why therapists and coaches incorporate it into their practice, or why I can’t shut up about it. I love me some science, so it's also peer-reviewed, and evidence-based! You can check out the APA's acceptance too if you'd like proof and not just some stranger's opinion from the internet. I don't take offense. It takes time to build a therapeutic alliance, and I love that opportunity with clients in counselling sessions - but when I needed help, I needed it yesterday, not in 2 years (the waiting list at the time), a consultation, an intake session, and 4-6 sessions to start building trust.

Guided tapping sessions lets you skip all of that! Start getting relief immediately. Practice tapping with me here. And when you are ready give the guided tapping sessions a try too. And if I haven't created the tapping topics you need help on - you can give me helpful feedback for what you want me to create next, on my Facebook page here.

Whether you’re dealing with daily frustrations or working through major life challenges, tapping is the toolkit you didn’t know you needed. 

Try EFT Today! 

Pssst... You’ve made it this far, so what are you waiting for? Take two  minutes, set aside the self-doubt, and give EFT a shot. Think of it as hitting the “reset” button on your emotions, with zero cost, zero risk, and a ton of potential upside. 

You got this, my friend. The real question is - are you ready to tap into your best self? (See what I did there?) 

Have a go, and when EFT changes the game for you, don’t forget to share this post with someone who needs a little extra freedom in their life. The world could use way more chill vibes, no? 

Get tapping. Get thriving. Oh… and get it free! Check out the guided tapping sessions on Tap On That's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@EFT_TapOnThat. 

Cheers!

Kim