EFT tapping explained
Science based education on how it works
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often called “tapping,” is a mind–body approach that interrupts and transforms unhelpful emotional patterns, creating new, healthy responses.
And the problem isn’t healthy stress; it's chronic, unidentified, unprocessed stress that we've all learned to ignore or suppress.
We are often physically, emotionally and energetically bankrupt before we take action.
What is EFT?
EFT is considered both a cognitive technique (working with thoughts, meaning, and memory) and a somatic technique (working with the body, emotions and the nervous system).
It is now widely known as Evidence-Based EFT, with extensive research led by Dr Peta Stapleton, Professor of Psychology at Bond University and a leading trainer in the field. It is also a method within Energy Psychology.
EFT draws on well-established psychological frameworks, including elements of exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and acceptance therapy.
During an EFT session, you gently tap on specific acupressure points while focusing on a triggering event. This simple combination sends calming signals to the brain. Research shows it can help reduce activity in the brain’s threat circuits, especially the amygdala (associated with fear) and the hippocampus (involved in memory processing).
By lowering the “emotional charge” held in the nervous system, EFT makes it easier to process stress, shift unhelpful patterns, gain new insights, and respond with greater clarity. Many people describe it as feeling lighter, steadier, and more grounded, often in ways that are both gentle and profound.
The Science Explained Simply
When we’re triggered, the brain’s alarm centre, called the amygdala, becomes active and causes the body to go into "fight-or-flight," which is the body’s natural response to perceived danger.
By remembering a difficult event while at the same time tapping on acupressure points, the body sends a message to the brain:
“This is safe now. Let’s look at this in a different way. You don’t need to react the old way any more.”
This creates a “repatterning” effect. Old emotional pathways quieten down, new, calmer ones strengthen, enabling clients to view stressful experiences with more neutrality or compassion.
Imagine your emotional triggers are like smoke alarms. Most alarms go off for real danger, but some are so sensitive they activate when you burn the toast.
EFT helps your system reset the alarm so it will only go off when you really need it. And less and less when you don’t.
You still have the ability to respond when something is genuinely stressful, but the unnecessary alarms, the ones tied to old memories or outdated protection patterns, become quiet.
With the alarms reset, you feel calmer, clearer, and more capable of choosing your response instead of reacting automatically.
Most clients use EFT when they are stuck or want to make a change.
They want to make sense of old experiences so they can move on.
They want to work on a relationship, whether personal, family or business.
They want to reduce mental, emotional and physical pain.
They want to work on building a different relationship with a habit, craving or addiction.
They want to remove blocks or patterns they are stuck in that are holding them back from achieving their goals, i.e financial, self-worth, imposter syndrome, fear of public speaking, phobias, etc.
They want a self-help tool for everyday use to lower stress levels.
EFT is gentle, practical, and empowering. You stay in control throughout, and there are techniques to use so you don’t even have to speak about something you would rather not.
Scientific research supports EFT's effectiveness through several pathways, primarily by generating a relaxation response. EFT involves stimulating meridian endpoints to calm the body's energy systems and incorporates somatic stimulation and verbal self-affirmation to achieve personal growth and transformation.
Disclaimer:
EFT is a practical coaching tool for stress relief, emotional regulation, and personal growth. It is not a clinical therapy or medical treatment, but a safe, empowering method you can use to support your wellbeing and resilience every day.