Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or “tapping,” is a powerful mind-body tool I’ve been integrating more with clients. It involves tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on a distressing emotion, belief, or memory.
I hear you: EFT can sound a little strange at first and it’s also considered “experimental” but it works. And there’s a reason so many counselling therapists and psychologists are using it. Tapping helps down regulate the nervous system, while also supporting cognitive integration (reframing). It combines somatics, self-compassion, and a powerful form of mindfulness (the neutral observer), in combination with a bunch of setup statements. The secret sauce to EFT is tending to the somatic (ie bodily) experience of the issue by tapping on areas of the body connected to our stress response or vagus nerve. Basically, it helps reduce the emotional intensity of past experiences or anticipatory anxiety so they’re no longer as triggering, or sometimes, not triggering at all.
And the research is growing fast and it’s substantial (!):
- Over 200 studies have explored EFT’s effectiveness, including 103 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 9 meta-analyses, and 10 systematic reviews.
- A randomized controlled trial by Church, Yount & Brooks (2012) found a 24% reduction in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, in the EFT group.
- A meta-analysis by Nelms et al. (2022) showed EFT significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and phobias.
- A 2022 study in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted both psychological improvements and biological changes, including shifts in stress markers with EFT.
- The comprehensive review Clinical EFT as an Evidence-Based Practice confirms effectiveness for a wide range of psychological and physiological conditions.
- For a quick overview, check out this Science Behind Energy Psychology Quick Facts summary (March 2025).
As trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk reminds us, trauma lives in the body, and talk therapy alone often isn’t enough. We need tools that help the body let go or stored emotions.
I’ve trained with the ACEP, the leading organization advancing EFT education and research. I’m passionate about offering this tool not because it’s trendy, but because it’s actually effective and because people deserve access to good, evidence-informed options that support deep and lasting healing.
I work well with clients who are functioning okay in life, but want to grow, reflect, and understand themselves better. They’re the kind of folks who want to be more intentional and emotionally aware. So whether it’s ambiguous grief, health issues, a bad boss, or an upcoming difficult conversation – EFT can help process the emotions associated with these experiences. Curious to try it? You can book a free consultation here.