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Emotional Freedom Technique: What Conditions Can EFT Therapy Treat?

Teri Karjala • Feb 27, 2019

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a therapeutic technique that involves tapping the energy points around the body to reduce tension and promote a better sense of well-being. Though skeptics may claim it lacks scientific foundation, Harvard Medical School did a major study showing the benefits of EFT.

Research showed that by touching the body’s meridian points—our energy points—brain activity, specifically in the amygdala, was reduced. The amygdala is the part of the brain that engages in a “fight or flight” mode. When a fear or anxiety is triggered, our amygdala becomes flooded with cortisol, which you may know better as the stress hormone.

With EFT therapy, however, Harvard’s study showed the stress accompanied by whatever problem a participant was facing, seemed to slip away.

Dr. Dawson Church, an energy psychology expert and one of the leading advocates of EFT therapy, performed an EFT study where 83 subjects participated in a one-hour long tapping session. He compared the results with those who receive traditional therapy and those who received no treatment all; his research showed a 24% reduction in cortisol in EFT subjects vs. no difference in subjects receiving traditional therapy.

One of the benefits of EFT is, once a person is instructed where to tap and what to say, it can be done anywhere…no equipment or medications needed.

EFT has been known to help with:
  • Reducing stress. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease had subjects categorized into 3 groups: an EFT group, a psychotherapy group, and a no treatment group. Results were that the EFT group had a decrease in cortisol, along with improved psychological distress.
  • Reducing muscle tension, joint pain and headaches. A 2013 controlled study found that EFT tapping reduced the severity of headaches, and helped manage chronic injuries.
  • More effectively coping with depression and anxiety. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease discovered that, through 14 different EFT treatment trials, EFT led to a decrease in anxiety in those who were suffering from psychological distress.
  • Improving sleep, energy levels and overall health. A study of 86 women suffering from fibromyalgia found that, after completing eight weeks of EFT therapy, there was a significant decrease in anxiety and depression, and an increase in energy levels, vitality, and mental health.
  • Improving Athletic Performance. A 2009 study published in Open Sports Sciences showed that EFT, when used on basketball players for 15 minutes, improved their free throw and vertical jump immediately after the session.

Creative Counseling Center offers EFT therapy, often leveraging it in conjunction with talk therapy. This integrated approach enables our clients to process emotional pain more effectively, and eliminate the mental blocks that prevent them from moving forward in their lives.

Maybe you’re not sure whether EFT tapping could help you, If you are suffering from anxiety, depression or chronic stress, request a Free Phone Consultation using the brief form below. We’ll answer your questions and guide you in the right direction based on your needs and goals.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Teri Karjala is a Licensed Professional Counselor & Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the founder and Executive Director of Creative Counseling Center, LLC. Working in the field since 1999, Teri and her team of therapists specializes in counseling for those who have experienced trauma. They work with children as young as age 2, as well as teens and adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and couples.

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