The BASICS of Clinical EFT - Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques
What is Clinical EFT?
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques.
- Mind / Body Techniques to assist in helping the mind and body to release stuck energy and upset, including triggering events, images, unresolved issues, etc. that keeps you from living your life free of emotions that no longer serve you. Thus, creating a peaceful state as a base to create what you so desire.
- Release of anxiety, stress and upset by creating a state of calmness and reducing the emotional charge and intensity to a more neutral state, allowing you to think clearly with more shifts in your thinking that feels better for you, allowing you to live your life free from distress.
- Tapping (applying light pressure with fingertips to specific spots on your head and upper parts of your body) in a particular routine. Also, sometimes called acupressure on specific spots on your body. Many of these parts of your body are ones you may naturally already use for calming relief without consciously realizing it. Many call all of this simply "tapping".
- Clinical EFT is an evidence-based practice backed up by over 100 studies and research projects. Thus, this approach is considered a clinical treatment. EFT Universe is the group that furthered the development of EFT, using many of the original protocols that were developed by Roger Callahan and Gary Craig. The standard protocol allowed EFT Universe / Dawson Church to do research and create this evidence-based practice.
- EFT is client- centered, meaning it is client led as to what each person is comfortable working on and at what pace. It is a self-healing approach.
- EFT is neutral as to religion. That said a client's religious beliefs are honored and respected, as well as any spiritual beliefs, to be incorporated into the tapping if so desired. This is a client choice.
- EFT is customized / individualized for each unique individual.
- If a client has an issue that they are uncomfortable to talk out loud about, there are techniques within EFT to work with this situation, where limited sharing is possible. In addition, there are what is called "gentle techniques" to help with more significant anxiety producing issues or trauma.
- EFT can be learned and used as a self-help technique for many situations. Working with a Clinical EFT Practitioner can help individuals to learn these powerful techniques and how to use them most effectively. Professional guidance is highly recommended for those with trauma and other more serious problems, such as those with a mental health diagnosis.
- Sessions are facilitated by the practitioner and easy to follow along as the practitioner is doing the techniques with you.
- There is a "basic protocol" but this is only the base. There are many techniques available to the EFT practitioner to customize and use what works best with the client.
- Clinical EFT combines the use of the following therapy approaches and techniques.
- Acknowledgement of the Problem / Exposure
- Cognitive Frame of Self-Acceptance
- New Insights and Shifts in How We See Things with Feeling Better, Allowing for Ways to Move Forward to Live with Emotional Freedom
- Tapping on Specific Body Points / Meridian End Points Throughout This Process, Sending a Calming Signal to the Brain Which Lowers or Removes the Intensity of the Emotions.
What kinds of things can Clinical EFT help with?
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings
- Phobias
- Trauma
- Relationships
- Emotional Components of Pain
- School, Work and Personal Performance Issues
- Habits You Wish to Eliminate
- Limiting Beliefs
- Goal Setting and Working Toward Attainment
- General Well Being
What ages can EFT be used for? What about couples? Can EFT be done in groups?
All ages, including children are able to use some form of EFT. Caregivers can tap on babies and young children. I see children ages 9 and up. But I can help parents with teaching their younger children a simple version of EFT. Some find group settings helpful. Couples can learn these techniques to increase their relationship satisfaction.
Where can I get more information and the Basic Protocols for Tapping?
- Dr. Peta Stapleton has a free Ultimate Tapping Guide, you can find at her website: www.petastapleton.com
- EFT Universe has a free 60 page EFT mini manual that you can get on their website at www.eftuniverse.com
- Or you can buy the comprehensive 396 page manual. The EFT Manual Forth Edition by Dawson Church. At www.amazon.com.
Is there research to back up Clinical EFT?
Yes. There are over 100 clinical studies and RCS, peer reviewed research projects that support EFT as an effective treatment. You can go to www.eftuniverse.com and go to the Research Tab to get more detailed information on the science behind Clinical EFT. Or you can go directly to www.Research.EFTUniverse.com
Dr. Peta Stapleton has an abundance of research on her website: www.petastapleton.com
What kind of training is needed to be a Clinical EFT practitioner?
The Clinical EFT Universe Practitioner Program takes a year to 18 months to 2 years complete. There are 12 modules to complete this program with testing done throughout each module. There is also a 4-day professional skills workshop led by an EFT Trainer and near the end of the Clinical EFT program a 2-day intensive workshop. There is a mentorship component with each candidate completing 40 cases under the supervision of the EFT mentor along with 15 hours of personal Clinical EFT sessions.
What is your specific background and training?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor / Supervisor and a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist. In addition, I am a Registered Play Therapist / Supervisor and a Certified Child and Parenting Specialist. I have worked in the non-profit world in the past and presently I am in private practice. I am Clinical EFT Practitioner through EFT Universe. I integrate Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques within my regular therapy practice. I can also act as a stand-alone Clinical EFT Practitioner if a client wishes to only use these techniques. To find out more about my background you can visit my website: www.stromtherapy.com.
NOTE: There are two options as to clients I see to use EFT.
- Clients who are part of my therapy practice. I am licensed in the state of OK, USA and can see anyone who lives in OK, merging therapy and EFT. I do this virtually in my practice.
- I can use stand alone Clinical EFT for anyone in any place virtually. This means with this second option, it is not merged with my work as a therapist. And stand alone EFT can be done with anyone outside of OK, USA.
Are all EFT programs the same?
No. they are not. There are many variations out there. EFT has gained popularity and you will find lots of variations and some similarities. In general EFT in most forms will be helpful at some level. Clinical EFT through the EFT Universe is different in that it has followed some basic protocols and has accumulated 100 studies and conducted research that has deemed it by the American Psychological Association to be an evidence-based treatment. To find out more about clinical EFT you can download the EFT Mini Manuel at www.eftuniverse.com. This is under the tapping tab.
How much does it cost to work with you as a Clinical EFT Practitioner?
I charge the same rates that I use for my regular therapy practice. You may check my website for my current fees. www.stromtherapy.com
Disclaimers
As with all forms of treatment, there are no 100 % guarantees that they will work. We are all unique individuals and what may work for one person may not work for another. These techniques may give total relief for some and moderate relief for others and for some it does not work.
Contact Information for Tanna K Strom, LMFT, LPC, RPT-S, Clinical EFT Practitioner.
Tanna K Strom, LMFT, LPC, RPT- S, CCPS and EFT Practitioner.
Strom Individual & Family Therapy
918-749-1550
www.stromtherapy.com (Business Website)
www.creatingbranches.com (Blog)
www.facebook.com/stromtherapy (business Facebook Page)
Created: June, 2022