Emotional Freedom Techniques Targeted Touch Taps Out Traumas
by Suzanne Lerner, PhD, D.CEP
Common Ground Magazine December 2009/January 2010
During a recent visit to the Grand Canyon, I noticed a woman standing far back from the canyon's edge, telling her friends to go ahead without her. While her companions enjoyed the breathtaking views of Mather's Point, she had to miss out. I gently asked if she had a fear of heights.
"Oh, yes!" she replied. "All my life!" I offered to share a revolutionary technique that helps people overcome their fears. Ten minutes later, after three brief EFT rounds, she announced, "Wait, I'm ready to go..." We walked together to the canyon's edge, one of the most challenging tests imaginable for someone afraid of heights ... and she was just fine! She had conquered her fear and could now enjoy the view. Welcome to the world of EFT!
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) was developed by Gary Craig, (emofree.com) from a more complex system called TFT. Craig found that tapping on specific meridian points (some of the same acupuncture points used in Chinese medicine) while a person focused on a distressing event, produced astonishing results. EFT focuses on the core events that have led to limiting, constricting beliefs about yourself and the world.
Most of our traumas from the past and fears about the future are associated with sympathetic over-arousal, more commonly known as the "fight or flight response." With EFT, we bring up the disturbing event with its associated overwhelming anxiety, and then soothe that anxiety, using the energy of the meridian system. When the event is once more stored in memory, it is no longer accompanied by emotional distress, having been replaced by a sense of peace and calm.
Memory handles traumatic experiences differently than routine life experiences. Traumatic memories tend to remain un-integrated with the rest of our memories, retaining all the specific sights, sounds, and thoughts that occurred during the upsetting experience. When our unconscious brain encounters anything that resembles these same aspects, it triggers all of the unresolved, highly charged emotions associated with the original trauma.
During the Holiday Season, these emotions may easily be triggered. You may have a fairly balanced adult life, and may even be looking forward to the holiday festivities. However, if you grew up in an abusive, alcoholic, or neglectful family, you may find yourself suddenly experiencing the "Holiday Blues." Christmas trees, holiday music and busy shoppers may evoke childhood memories of disappointing family gatherings, that left you frightened, helpless, dazed and confused. The good news is that the process of EFT can free us from these feelings that were never fully processed. Once cleared, the memory never has the same charge. By clearing the old traumas and irrational beliefs, EFT helps create a life of greater joy, peace, and possibility.
A growing number of doctors, psychologists and other health professionals are using EFT in their practice. Deepak Chopra, M.D. states that "EFT offers great healing benefits." Candace Pert, Ph.D., researcher and author of Molecules of Emotion, feels that "EFT is at the forefront of the new healing movement." Norm Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., a leader in the field of body/mind medicine, and co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association describes how "By removing emotional trauma, EFT helps heal physical symptoms too."
A novel aspect of EFT, is that it can be done by phone. Thus you aren't limited geographically in accessing effective EFT treatment. For example, a woman suffering from agoraphobia contacted me from the East Coast. She had been having panic attacks that left her overwhelmed, unable to drive or even go grocery shopping without assistance. Terrified she would have an attack and be unable to function, she had been virtually housebound for years. After only six EFT telephone sessions together, she was out driving and enjoying her life again.
A well-trained therapist can use a variety of techniques to make the process gentle and supportive. Clients often report that they feel lighter, easier and more hopeful after experiencing this approach. We cannot change the basic facts of our past, but when we release the thoughts and emotions bound up by the trauma, we are informed by our memories, but no longer controlled by them. Emotional Freedom indeed!
Suzanne Lerner, Ph.D, D.CEP is a licensed psychologist, hypnotherapist, and advanced EFT practitioner. She practices in the San Francisco Bay Area and works with clients around the world through telephone and Skype. You can reach her at 415-339-8127. To receive a free EFT tapping chart and find out more about her work, visitmakeyourlifeshine.com.
Suzanne Lerner, Ph.D. Diplomate, Comprehensive Energy Psychology Working locally in the San Francisco Bay Area & Internationally by Phone & Skype