What is Clinical EFT?
Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques is an intervention that combines elements of exposure, cognitive therapy, and the somatic stimulation of acupressure points on the face and body.
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The mechanisms behind EFT include deactivation of the amygdala and the hippocampus - the parts of the brain associated with stress and memory. Recent research has also shown vagal nerve improvement with EFT.
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Research conducted on EFT has shown it significantly reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body. One 2020 study showed an average reduction of 43% in cortisol levels (1). Studies on EFT have also demonstrated it can reduce anxiety symptoms, improve heart rate and blood pressure, enhance immune function and increase feelings of happiness (2). Typically, Clinical EFT is used to reduce, or completely eliminate, unwanted emotions, body sensations, stress and/or pain in the body. It can also be used change unhelpful patterns of behaviour and to reduce, or eliminate, limiting belief systems that may be holding you back from reaching your full potential.
Clients often describe feeling calmer and more relaxed after an EFT session. Many also report having more mental clarity and even feeling 'lighter'.
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What makes it so effective?
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While other techniques and stress reduction strategies may take time to show effect, EFT often provides rapid relief. Many users of EFT report feeling calmer and more relaxed after just one or two sessions. Studies also show that the effects of EFT are sustained over time, offering enduring benefit. During an EFT session with a practitioner, you will be led in the application of the technique to target a specific area that you would like to see change in.
A good practitioner will also teach you how to self-apply the technique at home, which allows you to reduce unwanted feelings and stress, at any time. This means clients can continue benefiting from EFT without having to rely on their practitioner.
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An Evidence Based Approach
Over 300 research studies on clinical EFT have now been published in peer-reviewed publications (3). Effectiveness of Clinical EFT has been established for Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Pain and more. Research into the effects of Clinical EFT has skyrocketed and significant progress has been made to meet the APA standards for evidence-based treatment.
Randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses have now been conducted on EFT for anxiety, depression, pain, PTSD and more.
Much of the progress made in demonstrating the effectiveness of this modality can be attributed to Australian Clinical and Health Psychologist, Bond University Professor, and Clinical EFT researcher - Dr Peta Stapleton. Peta was awarded 2019 ‘Psychologist of the Year’ by the Australian Allied Health Awards and was awarded the 2024 ‘Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science’ Award by the Australian Psychological Society, for her world-leading EFT research.
Peta has delivered presentations for TEDx and Gaia. She is a published author of books; ‘The Science Behind Tapping’ and ‘Memory Improvement Through EFT Tapping: A Way to Boost Recall and Clarity’. She also speaks at numerous summits and conferences worldwide.
For more information on Peta’s research or to view more of her infographics and resources, please visit Peta’s website.
Videos & References
2022 - Research Update
Active Ingredients in EFT
References:
1. Stapleton, P., Crighton, G., Sabot, D., & O'Neill, H. M. (2020). Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(8), 869–877. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000563
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2. Bach D., Groesbeck G., Stapleton P., Sims R., Blickheuser K., and Church D. (2019). Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) improves multiple physiological markers of health. J. Evid.-Based Integr. Med. 24. doi: 10.1177/2515690X18823691 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
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3.Church, D., Stapleton P., Vasudevan A., & O’Keefe T. (2022). Clinical EFT as an evidence-based practice for the treatment of psychological and physiological conditions: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13.