Therapy Thursday: Emotional Freedom Technique

Today I'd like to share a remarkably quick and simple method to relieve a wide range of emotional, psychological and physical symptoms, particularly stress and anxiety. Though Wikipedia is dismissive of Emotional Freedom Technique, largely because its efficacy has been hard to prove systematically, many therapists who I respect enormously use and recommend this approach, and thousands of testimonials from grateful clients speak to its wide-ranging usefulness.

EFT works on the premise that “the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system.” Working on principles similar to acupuncture and acupressure, the technique involves repeatedly tapping on certain energy meridian points. This allows you to go straight to the energetic, physiological source of many emotional and psychological issues without having to identify the root causes. Though EFT could never replace the kind of healing and personal growth that can be accomplished by working with a good counsellor, it is almost unparalleled in its ability to bring rapid relief of symptoms, and is a tool that can be easily learned, used and owned by anyone. Anxiety frequently spirals out of control because people experience the unpleasant symptoms of anxiety a few times, then become increasingly anxious about the possibility that those symptoms will recur. The more helpless they feel in dealing with those unpleasant physical sensations when they arise, the more this vicious circle is perpetuated. The circle is broken when they find a tool to relieve those sensations, and in this respect EFT can be incredibly empowering.

For quick and easy instructions and a diagram of the energy points, go to www.EFTuniverse.com, and click on 'Get Started Free' in the top left corner. You have to give an email address, but I have received no junk mail as a result.

If you suffer from anxiety, I urge you to give this a try. You have nothing to lose.

If you know someone who might benefit from this information, please pass it on.