Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often known as “tapping”, is a relatively modern therapeutic approach that developed from a combination of Western psychology and ideas from traditional Chinese medicine.

EFT was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, who adapted an earlier approach called Thought Field Therapy (TFT), developed by psychologist Dr Roger Callahan. The original ideas were based on the belief that emotional distress was connected to disruptions in the body’s energy system, using concepts from acupuncture and meridian points.

Over time, EFT has evolved, and many practitioners now focus less on the idea of energy and more on the practical aspects of the process, including attention, emotional processing, relaxation and nervous system regulation.

The process itself is quite simple. A person identifies something they would like to work on, perhaps an emotion, memory, belief, physical sensation or stressful situation. While staying focused on that experience, they gently tap on a sequence of points around the face and upper body, often using statements that acknowledge what they are feeling while encouraging acceptance and a calmer response.

People use EFT in many different situations, including:

Managing anxiety and stress: for example, calming racing thoughts before a presentation, difficult conversation, medical appointment or stressful event

Working with fears and phobias: helping reduce the emotional intensity connected with specific fears

Processing difficult memories or experiences: supporting a calmer response when memories continue to trigger strong emotions

Building confidence and self-belief: working with thoughts such as “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t handle this”

Managing everyday emotional challenges: such as frustration, anger, sadness or feeling stuck.

Supporting performance and focus: such as preparing for exams, public speaking, interviews or sporting events.

The potential benefits of EFT are not about making emotions disappear. Emotions are a normal and important part of being human. Instead, EFT aims to help reduce the intensity of emotional reactions so that people can think more clearly, feel more in control and respond differently to challenging situations.

One of the things I particularly value about EFT is its practicality. Once learned, it becomes a portable skill that clients can use outside the therapy room.

The traditional explanation for Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) comes from Chinese medicine, where the tapping points are described as being located along pathways called meridians. Within this framework, tapping is believed to help restore balance in the body’s energy system. While this explanation is meaningful to many people who use EFT, the existence of energy meridians has not been clearly demonstrated by modern neuroscience.

A more scientific explanation looks at other possible reasons EFT may be helpful. The tapping points used in EFT overlap with areas commonly used in acupressure, and researchers are exploring whether the combination of gentle physical stimulation, focused attention, and emotional processing may help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress responses.

The brain plays an important role in how we experience emotions and stress. Areas often associated with the limbic system help process emotions, memories and our response to perceived threats. When we experience stress or emotional distress, these systems can become highly activated, creating both emotional and physical reactions. EFT may help by allowing someone to focus on a difficult emotion while also engaging in a calming, regulated activity.

There is still discussion about exactly why EFT works. Some researchers suggest the benefits may come from well-understood psychological processes such as relaxation, mindfulness, exposure to difficult emotions, focused attention or simply interrupting unhelpful emotional patterns.

My approach is a practical one. I am less concerned with whether EFT works because of meridian points, nervous system regulation, changes in brain activity or because it gives the mind a different focus while processing emotions. What matters most is whether it is safe, useful and helps people create meaningful change.

For many clients, EFT becomes a simple, portable skill they can use anywhere and anytime to help reduce emotional intensity, settle the nervous system and respond to life’s challenges with greater calm and choice.

The limbic system is a group of interconnected brain structures involved in processing emotions, memories, threat detection, and stress responses. When we experience distress, these systems can become highly activated, creating strong emotional and physical reactions. EFT may help by pairing awareness of the emotional experience with a calming, regulated activity, allowing the brain and body to experience that memory or emotion in a different state.

I tend to use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as part of a wider hypnotherapy session rather than as a standalone therapy. I see it as another useful tool in the toolbox — one that can help calm the nervous system, reduce emotional intensity, and support the deeper work we are doing through hypnosis.

EFT and hypnosis can work together beautifully because they both provide ways of helping the mind and body respond differently to emotional experiences.

In a hypnotherapy session, I may use EFT as a practical tool before or after hypnosis depending on what feels most appropriate for you.

For example, EFT can be used at the beginning of a session to help settle the nervous system, reduce anxiety, or create a calmer state before deeper therapeutic work. It can also be used while exploring a specific emotion, memory, belief or physical sensation that feels uncomfortable, helping to reduce the intensity and create a greater sense of safety and control.

EFT can complement the hypnosis process by helping reinforce positive changes, strengthen emotional resources, and support new ways of thinking and responding.

Hypnosis helps us work with the deeper patterns, beliefs and resources of the mind, while EFT gives you a practical skill that you can continue using outside the therapy room.

One of the things I value most about EFT is that it puts a tool back in your hands. Therapy is not just about what happens during our sessions together. It is also about helping you develop skills you can use in everyday life when challenges arise.

Everyone’s journey is unique. Some clients experience the shift they want after their first session while others prefer a few more to build lasting change. You’ll always know what to expect and be able to make informed decisions. I offer competitive, transparent pricing and will be happy to discuss this with you during your initial enquiry.

I offer both in-person and online hypnotherapy sessions, providing flexibility and choice to suit your individual needs.

In-person sessions offer the opportunity to meet in a calm, supportive environment where you can fully disconnect from daily distractions and experience a personalised therapeutic space. Being physically present can help some clients feel more connected, comfortable, and supported throughout their journey.

Online sessions provide the convenience of accessing hypnotherapy from the comfort and privacy of your own space. They are a flexible option for those with busy schedules, limited availability or who prefer the ease of receiving support without the need to travel. With a quiet and comfortable environment, online sessions can offer the same personalised guidance and therapeutic experience as meeting in person.

Whether you choose to attend in person or online, my approach remains the same: creating a safe, supportive and empowering space to help you work towards meaningful and lasting change.