2 Ways Of Working

EFT(Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a form of emotional acupuncture and can be used to work with literally any physical or emotional presenting problem. The secret is in the detective work you do with the therapist to uncover the root cause. Using EFT, we can generally do therapy in one of two ways. Either, by applying EFT directly to the issue, e.g. how it's experienced physically/emotionally, or by applying EFT to the specific events we have associated to the problem from the past. Both approaches are useful in the right context; and some issues come with certain caveats. Here I explore 4 specific issues and lay out some pointers in using EFT with them.

Addiction

We must separate addiction into the addictive craving, and the underlying addiction itself. EFT is supremely effective at handling addictive cravings, and is the perfect tool to do so as it is painless, self-applied, and so simple a 5 year old can do it. However, the addiction itself will likely carry behind it a series of associations to past events, times, people and places which have resulted in the current behavior. By releasing the energy behind these events and associations the real addiction will be overcome.

Physical Pain

As a generalization, straight EFT tapping is very effective on pain, headaches, physical issues, without working on specific memories. EFT can collapse bouts of pain repeatedly and effectively. The caveat is simply to use your common sense. If pain persist after repeated rounds of EFT, then it is telling you something significant and you should get it checked with your doctor or health professional. EFT is not a replacement for standard medical care and the responsibility for your emotional and physical health remains yours at all times. A seasoned EFT therapist will take an inventory and health check of physical issues before treatment begins.

PTSD

With PTSD, EFT is usually used to collapse the various specific events that led to the PTSD. Effective with war veterans, victims of crime or violence, etc, PTSD often manifests with nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories etc. Aiming tapping at the specific events with thorough testing and application to *all* aspects of the problem will routinely result in full resolution of the problem.

Enhancing Sports/Other Performance

In my practice I find that most performance issues are around deserving-ness issues, e.g. a belief that ?I don't deserve to get the job/make this much money/be this successful.? Therefore, issues around enhancing performance will usually involve working together with the Practitioner to discover what the underlying emotional blocks to success are. Mostly these are hidden blocks set up by your unconscious mind after some kind of emotional trauma in order to protect you. Your mind doesn't realize that the old behavior that got you out of trouble and kept you safe in situation X is actually not that useful in situation Y, 10 years later. It has only your safety, protection, and survival at heart. An experienced EFT therapist will help you uncover these blocks by asking questions like ?what happened the last time you (achieved goal)?? & ?What's the upside of NOT achieving (your goal)??; ?When did you decide you don't deserve to achieve (your goal)??; ?The people who achieve (your goal) ? what are they like??

This can be built into the therapy process and EFT can even assist in uncovering the answers to just these questions. The answers will direct you to specific events to apply EFT to, helping you uncouple the association you have between those events and what it means to be successful.