I use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) , also known as tapping, with many of my clients to facilitate Trauma processing and healing; to help process stressful or overwhelming life events; and to foster nervous system regulation and resilience.  Please read below to learn more about how EFT can help, and to learn more about Trauma and EFT.

 

Trauma, whether originating from a singular event or recurring experiences, can leave a profound imprint on our emotional and mental well-being. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) offers a gentle yet effective approach to healing from trauma. 

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EFT tapping is an energy technique combining elements of cognitive therapy and acupressure. It works by stimulating specific meridian points on the body while verbalizing the emotional experience or issue at hand. This unique combination aims to treat emotional distress by addressing nervous system dysregulation and reworking beliefs and thought patterns, restoring balance to the body’s energy system.

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UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. It can result in feelings of helplessness, extreme fear, horror, and can have long-term effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health.  There is a concept of "Big T" and "Little T" Trauma:  ‘Big T’ Traumas are major incidents like accidents, illness, natural disasters, experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse, major loss, etc. ‘Little T’ Traumas include daily stressors or childhood experiences like emotional neglect that, over time, result in similar emotional responses. Both require attention and healing for well-being.

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THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Trauma leaves an imprint on both the body and the mind.  The effects of trauma can permeate every aspect of our lives, conditioning our responses to the world around us and shaping our beliefs about ourselves. it can result in flashbacks, nightmares, constant fear and negative beliefs about the self, others and the world that can interfere with a person's ability to have a healthy self-concept and healthy relationships with others. Physiologically, it can manifest as insomnia or unexplained physical ailments. Unhealed trauma can also lead to mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.  EFT tapping offers a comprehensive healing approach. It addresses not only the symptoms but also the root cause of emotional distress, thus helping release the grip of traumatic experiences. 

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THE BASICS OF EFT TAPPING

EFT tapping involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body. These include points at the the side of the hand, top of the head, the beginning of the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, chin, collarbone, under the arm, and on the fingers. 

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The Concept of Meridian Energy System

The meridian energy system, a central concept in Chinese medicine, refers to the network of energy pathways flowing through the body. Disruptions in this energy flow are believed to cause physical and emotional ailments. EFT tapping targets these meridians to restore balance and alleviate symptoms.

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EFT tapping works to regulate the nervous system by calming the stress response in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center and the part of the brain that triggers the fight, flight, freeze response. As you tap on the meridian points while focusing on your traumatic memory or distressing emotion, you send a calming signal to the amygdala. This helps to reduce the intensity of the emotional response to the trauma, thus promoting healing.

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Trauma Processing Through Desensitization

Desensitization is a key starting point in EFT tapping for trauma. This involves acknowledging and tapping on the traumatic memory or distressing emotion, aiming to reduce its emotional intensity. By gradually desensitizing the fear or pain associated with the memory, you can begin to heal.  The idea is not to relive the trauma but to acknowledge it and reduce its emotional intensity.  The goal is not to erase the memory but to change the emotional response to it.

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Identifying Limiting Beliefs Related to Trauma

Traumatic experiences often give rise to limiting beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. These negative beliefs can hold us back from healing and moving forward. By identifying these beliefs, we can begin to challenge and transform them through tapping.  EFT tapping is an effective tool for shifting negative thought patterns. By tapping while voicing your negative beliefs, you can begin to disrupt these patterns. Over time, this can lead to a cognitive shift, replacing the limiting beliefs with positive and empowering ones.

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The Body-Mind Connection in Trauma Healing

The intricate connection between the body and the mind is a key factor to consider in trauma healing. Traumatic experiences often lead to a disconnection from the body, creating a state of disembodiment or dissociation. Tapping serves as an effective tool to re-establish this body-mind connection, fostering integrated healing.

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Tapping to Release Physical Tension

Traumatic experiences are often stored not just in the mind, but also in the body as physical tension or pain. Tapping can help release this physical tension. As you tap on the meridian points, you can feel areas of tension easing, encouraging a higher sense of physical well-being.

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Developing Emotional Regulation Strategies

Emotional regulation involves managing and responding to an emotional experience in a manner that is socially acceptable and minimally disruptive. EFT tapping serves as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, helping to manage emotional responses to stressors and facilitating a calmer, more balanced state of mind.  By tapping, you can shift from an emotionally reactive state to a more calm and balanced state, even when faced with triggering circumstances.

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Tapping for Relaxation and Stress Reduction

EFT tapping isn’t only for addressing traumatic experiences.  It's also a useful tool for relaxation and stress reduction. Regularly incorporating EFT tapping into your daily relaxation practices can help maintain a calm, peaceful state of mind.

EFT tapping techniques can be particularly effective at relieving stress and anxiety. By tapping on specific meridian points while voicing feelings of stress or worry, you can send calming signals to your nervous system, reducing the intensity of your stress and anxiety.

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Incorporating Tapping into Daily Relaxation Practices

Tapping can be effortlessly incorporated into your daily relaxation practices. It could be combined with deep breathing in the morning, during a midday break, or before bedtime. Consistent practice not only results in immediate relief but also cultivates a more resilient and calm emotional state over time.

 

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Cultivating Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth Through EFT Tapping

Post-traumatic growth refers to positive psychological change experienced as a result of overcoming adversity and other challenges. This growth doesn’t discount the pain caused by trauma. Instead, it signifies growth beyond the trauma, bringing about a higher level of emotional functioning. EFT tapping, by confronting and releasing the emotional pain, paves the way for such growth. Resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, is a quality that can be cultivated. EFT tapping not only assists in healing from trauma but also strengthens emotional resilience. As you tap, you’re not merely releasing negative emotions; you’re also building a robust emotional foundation that can withstand future stressors.

EFT tapping has a transformative power. By targeting the root of emotional distress, it brings about profound changes in the individual’s emotional state. But more than that, it transforms their relationship with their trauma, empowering them to release their past and embrace a healthier future.

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Nurturing Self-Compassion

As you journey towards healing, nurturing self-compassion is critical. It’s crucial to remember that healing is not a linear process, and it’s okay to have difficult days. In these moments, approach yourself with kindness and remember that every step, no matter how small, is progress.

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CONCLUSION

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping provides a comprehensive avenue for healing trauma. It addresses not just the symptoms, but also the root causes of emotional distress, ultimately helping release the grasp of traumatic experiences. 

Recovering from trauma is a monumental journey, one often paved with challenges and triumphs. Remember to celebrate each victory, no matter how small, and to practice self-compassion on the harder days. Healing is a personal journey, and each step you take is a testament to your resilience and strength.

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Through EFT tapping, you are invited to actively participate in your healing process, using a method that is gentle yet powerful. With regular practice, tapping can bring significant shifts in your emotional landscape, fostering resilience, and facilitating post-traumatic growth. As you embark on this transformative journey, remember that you are not alone. Seek support, maintain consistent self-care, and continue tapping towards your healing.

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If you are interested in the science behind EFT tapping, many scientific studies that measure EFT's effects have been published in peer-reviewed professional journals. There are also several academic papers describing EFTs mechanisms of action, as it affects the brain, nervous system, stress genes, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and stress hormones such as cortisol. You will find them on the research page at EFTUniverse.com:  https://eftuniverse.com/research-studies/?_gl=1*h9dz9k*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAwMzQxMjgyLjE3MTE4NDM3MTQ.*_ga_GQXDZJWKRK*MTcxMTg0MzcxMy4xLjAuMTcxMTg0MzcxMy4wLjAuMA..