Dr Peta Stapleton

Dr Peta Stapleton is a registered clinical/health Psychologist and Professor in Psychology at Bond University (Australia) who embraces evidence-based and innovative techniques. Peta is the current Chair of Graduate Research at Bond University and is a world-leading researcher in Emotional Freedom Techniques (‘Tapping’). She has been awarded many achievements including the Harvey Baker Research Award for meticulous research (Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology), and the 2019 Psychologist of the Year (Australian Allied Health Awards). In 2024 she was awarded the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society.

Peta has authored The Science Behind Tapping: A Proven Stress Management Technique for the Mind and Body (Hay House), which won Best Self-Help Book (2019 Best Book Awards, American Book Fest). Her latest book is Memory Improvement Through EFT Tapping (McFarland, 2023).  Peta is an accomplished speaker and presenter, and has been featured on more than 100 podcasts worldwide. She has presented at more than 100 Australian and international conferences and is the featured presenter of the Everyday Tapping Series for Gaia, TEDx talk Is Therapy Facing a Revolution?, and The Infinite Game. 

Scientific Research

Peta has exceptional performance in psychological research and is well regarded as an international leader, leading 22 clinical research trials. She has developed a reputation for taking a niche area (Clinical EFT) and subjecting it to rigorous clinical trials to contribute to a quality evidence base. This has resulted in a profound impression in the academic and general community, directly impacted other university and health department behaviour, government policy, treatment programs and therapist choice of modality. She has led several special editions on Clinical EFT for Q1 journals and sits on the scientific advisory of The Tapping Solution (Nick Ortner), Encephalon LLC (Dr Joe Dispenza), the Mind Heart Connect Foundation, and the editorial boards of OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, and Scientific Reports, the 5th most cited journal in the world.  Peta sits on the Academic Board for the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, and is a grant and ethics reviewer for the National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, USA.

Peta has in excess of 140 research publications (journal articles), 6 books, 7 book chapters, more than 120 Australian and international conference presentations, and 80+ podcast interviews. She has trained more than 2000 teachers in Tapping in the Classroom and more than 1000 therapists in Clinical EFT.

Peta has collaborated with researchers from:

• The University of Hong Kong and University of Florida, investigating cultural differences and the impact of first year university student’s experience; 
• The National Institute for Integrative Healthcare (USA) investigating Ecomeditaton in novice meditators;
• Great Ideas in Nutrition investigating Clinical EFT for bariatric surgery patients;
• The Peaceful Heart Network (Sweden) investigating Trauma Tapping Techniques in The Congo;
• The Kinsey Institute Traumatic Stress Research Consortium, Indiana University (USA), investigating Clinical EFT for chronic pain and vagal nerve efficiency;
• Luther University (USA) investigating Clinical EFT for forgiveness;
• The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (USA) investigating mechanisms of action in energy psychology approaches;
• Queensland education investigating meditation and Clinical EFT for students;
• The National Institute of Integrative Medicine (Australia) investigating Clinical EFT to support cancer patients; and 
• PainWise Pty Ltd investigating Clinical EFT for acute and chronic pain.

Current collaborations include Encephalon LLC, the Olivia Newton John Centre, Austin Health, Vital Projex, and The Peaceful Heart Network.

Peta has supervised 11 PhD students, 60 Honours students and 34 Masters students to completion and graduation!

Awards

A career summary includes:

• 2024. Winner. The Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society (this recognises distinguished theoretical or empirical contributions to psychology by psychologists at mid or later career stages. The contribution may lead to the understanding or amelioration of an important practical problem) 
• 2024. Vice Chancellor's Research Supervisor of the Year, Bond University.
• 2024. Finalist, Leader of the Year, in Women Changing the World 2024 Awards (presented by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York)
• 2023. Nominated for an Order of Australia
• 2019. Winner. Best self-help book in the 2019 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest – The Science Behind Tapping
• 2019. Vice Chancellor's Research Supervisor of the Year, Bond University.
• 2019. Winner. Psychologist of the Year. Allied Health Awards.
• 2018. Finalist. Sustainable Healthcare Awards (Aust). Research Category.
• 2018. Winner. Innovation and Technology Award, Gold Coast Women in Business
• 2016. Winner. Most Contribution to the Field (energy psychology) USA
• 2015. Winner. Women in Change Award, Gold Coast Women in Business
• 2015. Winner. Global Weight Management Congress Industry Professional Award of Excellence
• 2014. Winner. Harvey Baker Research Award for meticulous research in energy psychology (USA)