What is EFT “Tapping”?

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a brief self-applied stress reduction technique using elements of cognitive therapy, with physical stimulation of acupuncture points. It is often referred to as ‘Tapping’ as it uses a two finger tapping process on known acupuncture points.

EFT can address a range of issues by simply focusing on the issue you would like to address with an acceptance statement, along with a simple two finger tapping technique.

Effectiveness has been established for phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, pain and more.

Here Dr Peta Stapleton, Clinical and Health Psychologist, and world leading Researcher and Trainer in EFT, explains more about EFT in her ‘How to do Tapping’ and Why it Works video on YouTube.

How Does EFT Work?

The mechanisms behind EFT include deactivation of the amygdala (stress centre in the brain) and hippocampus (memory centre), as well as recent research into vagal nerve improvement. EFT has also been shown to significantly lower cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone.  Research on gene expression indicates EFT has has the ability to down regulate genes associated with the stress response, and up-regulate or improve immune functioning.

Read Dr Peta Stapleton’s research here.

Science and Evidence

Dr Peta wrote The Science Behind Tapping (Hay House) in 2019 to make the science easy to understand! Learn more here.

EFT has previously been found to be an “evidence-based” practice for anxiety, depression, phobias and PTSD when measured against the standards of the American Psychological Association’s Division 12 Task Force on Empirically Validated Treatments. EFT now currently under review with the APA (2022) for its effectiveness for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (under the APA’s current criteria).

More About The Science Behind EFT

How can EFT help with weight management?

Dr Peta Stapleton’s Australian research has found EFT to be highly successful, and long lasting, when used for the treatment of obesity, food cravings, and weight management. Various forms of EFT has been used in the control of weight issues with good anecdotal results, however, Dr Peta Stapleton’s program ‘Tapping for Food Cravings and Weight Management’, designed in conjunction with Glenn Mackintosh, Australia’s leading weight management psychologist, is the only EFT for weight program that has been clinically researched, with scientifically proven results. While Peta’s groundbreaking research is mentioned in other weight management programs, this is the only program delivered by Dr Stapleton, the EFT master trainer and researcher.

Tapping For Weight Management Online Program

The Tapping for Weight Management Online Program is the only online EFT for weight management program in the world to be clinically researched. The 8 & 12 week programs are delivered by Myself & Australia’s leading weight management Psychologist, Glenn Mackintosh.

Learn More

What else can EFT help with?

EFT is not only a useful technique in weight management. Research trials have shown the remarkable and positive effects of Tapping on PTSD, anxiety, depression and phobias, as well as chronic pain, fatigue, and its successful use in the cessation of smoking has also been established. In addition to her weight loss related studies, Dr Stapleton’s most recent research has included:

  • Brain changes after EFT for overweight adults with food cravings (using fMRI)
  • Teaching EFT for Healthy Food Choices and Physical Activity in 14 year olds
  • EFT for Academic Fear and Difficulties in 15 year old high achieving students
  • EFT versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression in Adults
  • EFT for Chronic Pain
  • EFT for Stress Reduction (using salivary cortisol testing)
More About The Science Behind EFT
FREE GIFT

The Ultimate Tapping Guide

While EFT or tapping can address a range of complex emotional challenges, the basic protocol is quite straightforward and surprisingly easy to learn. Download your *FREE* Ultimate Tapping Guide now by Australia's leading EFT researcher and clinical psychologist, Dr Peta Stapleton.

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