EFT Tapping Sydney | Emotional Freedom Techniques
What is EFT Tapping?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), commonly known as EFT Tapping, is a gentle technique that combines focused attention on an issue with tapping on specific points on the body.
EFT Tapping can be used to explore thoughts, emotions, memories, beliefs and experiences that may be contributing to stress, overwhelm or feeling stuck.
During an EFT session, I guide you to focus on a particular issue while gently tapping on a sequence of acupressure points. Rather than simply trying to push an uncomfortable feeling away, we bring awareness to what is happening for you and work with it at your own pace.
EFT Tapping may be helpful when you're experiencing:
Stress and overwhelm
Anxiety and worry
Fears and phobias
Emotional distress
Difficult or upsetting memories
Limiting beliefs
Low confidence and self-esteem
Feeling stuck
Anger, frustration or resentment
Grief and sadness
Performance or exam stress
Emotional responses around particular situations or triggers
Research into Clinical EFT has investigated its effects on psychological symptoms as well as biological markers of stress. Some studies have found reductions in cortisol following EFT sessions. Cortisol is one of the body's primary stress hormones and is involved in the body's response to perceived stress.
This doesn't mean that EFT will automatically lower cortisol for everyone, but it is an interesting area of research into how working with stress and emotional responses may also be reflected in the body's stress response.
Why work with an EFT practitioner?
There is a lot you can do with EFT Tapping on your own, and many people find self-tapping a valuable tool for everyday stress and emotional wellbeing.
However, working with an experienced EFT practitioner can offer another level of support.
When you're tapping by yourself, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly what to focus on, particularly when an issue has several layers. What appears to be the problem on the surface isn't always where the strongest emotional response sits.
As a practitioner, I can use different EFT techniques depending on what you're working with. This can be particularly valuable when an issue involves trauma, shame, embarrassment or emotions that you may not feel comfortable talking about in detail.
You don't always have to tell the whole story. Sometimes going into the details of an experience can feel overwhelming, or it simply isn't something you want to share. That's okay. We can work with the emotional response, thoughts, sensations or intensity around an issue without necessarily needing to revisit every detail of what happened. The intention is to gently work with the emotional charge around an experience and explore whether your response can begin to shift.
You always remain in control of what you share throughout the session.
I can help you identify what is most relevant to work on, choose an appropriate technique and guide you through the process rather than leaving you to figure it all out yourself.
EFT Tapping for fears and phobias
EFT can be particularly interesting when working with fears and phobias.
One of the most memorable experiences I've had with EFT was working on my own fear of spiders. I had a genuine spider phobia. It wasn't something I could simply tell myself to ‘get over’. My reaction was automatic, and even the thought of a spider could create a strong response. Using EFT, I worked through the different aspects of my fear and noticed the intensity of my response change.
What I love about this experience is that I didn't need someone to convince me that spiders were harmless. Something shifted in the way I responded to them.
It gave me a very personal understanding of what it can feel like when something that once created a strong automatic reaction no longer has quite the same hold over you.
This is one of the reasons I enjoy using EFT with clients who are dealing with fears, phobias, triggers or situations they would like to experience differently.
EFT Tapping and the stress response
When we're under stress, our body activates its stress response. Cortisol is one of the hormones involved in this response.
Research into EFT has explored changes in cortisol alongside changes in psychological distress. In one randomised controlled trial, participants receiving EFT showed a significant reduction in salivary cortisol following the session. A later replication study also found a reduction in cortisol following EFT.
While cortisol naturally fluctuates throughout the day and is influenced by many factors, this research provides an interesting insight into the potential relationship between EFT, emotional stress and the body's physiological stress response.
For me, this is part of what makes EFT so fascinating: we're not simply trying to think our way out of an emotion. We're bringing attention to the experience while also engaging the body through the tapping process.
EFT Tapping in person or online
EFT Tapping can be offered in person at my private clinic in Russell Lea, Sydney's Inner West, or online.
Online EFT sessions work well because you can follow my guidance and tap on yourself throughout the session. You can also be in your own familiar environment, which some people find comforting.
Whether we work together in person or online, my role is to guide you through the process, help you identify what is most relevant to work on and support you as you explore the issue.
Learn EFT Tapping as a self-help tool
One of the things I love about EFT is that it gives you something you can take with you beyond the session.
Once you've learnt the basic tapping sequence, you can use it yourself when you notice stress building, before a challenging situation, after an upsetting experience or whenever you want to create a little more space around what you're feeling. It can be incredibly empowering to have a simple tool available whenever you need it.
Self-tapping can be a wonderful addition to your own wellbeing toolkit. At the same time, if you're working with a more complex, persistent or emotionally charged issue, having practitioner support can help you navigate the process rather than trying to work it all out on your own.
EFT Tapping with Inner West Kinesiology
At Inner West Kinesiology, I combine EFT Tapping with my experience working with the mind, body and nervous system.
Every session is individualised to you and what you're experiencing at the time. You don't need to have any previous experience with EFT, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to work on before your session.
We can start where you are and see what comes up.
My aim is to provide a supportive space where you can explore what you're experiencing without judgement, while learning practical tools you can continue using yourself.
If you're looking for EFT Tapping in Sydney, an EFT practitioner in Sydney's Inner West, or online EFT Tapping, I'd love to chat with you about whether it may be a good fit for you.
Complimentary discovery calls are available if you'd like to ask questions before booking.
Melanie has helped me move through some deep rooted traumas I had experienced over the years. I started tapping with Melanie to address some gut and allergy issues. I experienced a few ‘ah ha’ moments that helped me realise that I had emotional traumas that were fuelling my physical issues. During and following our tapping sessions, I was amazed by the speed of shifts I experienced - this was far quicker than other therapies I have tried. I feel lighter than I’ve ever felt and my physical symptoms have noticeably decreased! I am considering making EFT tapping part of my daily routine. Thank you Melanie for helping me feel unstuck and move through my stuff to help me peel back the layers of my healing journey. I am extremely grateful.
Zoe P.
Research supporting the Efficacy of Tapping
For scientific research and available studies on tapping, please visit the following web sites:
EFT Universe
The Science of Tapping
Frequently Asked Questions About EFT Tapping
What is EFT Tapping?
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), commonly called EFT Tapping, is a technique that combines focused attention on an issue with gentle tapping on specific points on the body. It can be used to explore emotional responses, stressful experiences, fears, limiting beliefs and other issues where you would like to experience a different response.
What can EFT Tapping help with?
EFT Tapping may be used to work with a wide range of emotional experiences, including stress, overwhelm, anxiety, fears, phobias, difficult memories, limiting beliefs, low confidence, self-esteem, grief, anger and performance stress. Every person responds differently, so sessions are tailored to the individual.
Is EFT Tapping the same as therapy?
EFT Tapping is a technique that can be incorporated into supportive wellbeing work, but it isn't a replacement for medical or psychological treatment when that is required. If you're experiencing significant or ongoing mental health concerns, it's important to seek appropriate support from a qualified health professional.
Is EFT Tapping better with a practitioner?
You can absolutely learn EFT Tapping and use it yourself, and many people find self-tapping useful. Working with an experienced practitioner can provide additional guidance, particularly when you're dealing with a complex or emotionally charged issue.
A practitioner can help you identify different aspects of an issue, select appropriate EFT techniques, guide the tapping process and help you stay focused on what is most relevant for you.
Can EFT Tapping help with trauma?
EFT may be used to work with emotional responses associated with difficult or traumatic experiences. You don't necessarily need to describe every detail of an experience during a session. Different EFT techniques can allow us to work with the emotional response or intensity around an issue while respecting your boundaries.
EFT should not be considered a replacement for appropriate trauma-informed psychological or medical care.
Can I do EFT Tapping online?
Yes. EFT Tapping works well online because you can follow the practitioner's guidance and tap on yourself throughout the session. I offer EFT Tapping sessions both online and in person from my Inner West Sydney clinic.
How many EFT Tapping sessions will I need?
There isn't a set number of sessions. It depends on what you'd like to work on, how complex the issue is and how you respond to the process. Some people choose to work on a specific issue over one or several sessions, while others use EFT as an ongoing wellbeing tool.
Do I have to talk about everything that happened?
No. You don't have to tell your entire story for us to work with an issue.
We can focus on what you're comfortable sharing and work with the thoughts, emotions, sensations or responses that are present for you. You remain in control of what you share.
Can I learn EFT Tapping to use at home?
Yes. One of the benefits of learning EFT is having a self-help technique you can use between sessions. I can teach you the basic tapping sequence so you can incorporate it into your own toolkit.
If you're dealing with a particularly complex or emotionally intense issue, practitioner support may be helpful.
Where can I have an EFT Tapping session in Sydney?
I offer EFT Tapping sessions from my private home clinic in Russell Lea in Sydney's Inner West, as well as online.
If you're unsure whether EFT Tapping is right for what you'd like to work on, you can book a complimentary discovery call first.