Tapping FAQs
Hey friends! I wanted to make a post specifically focused on some of the common questions around Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping! Tapping is such an invaluable resource to me and I just want everyone to experience how much it can change their lives. If you have a question I don’t cover in this post, please feel free to reach out to me with it!
What is it?
Tapping is a proven way to expedite healing emotional wounds and clearing subconscious blocks. Tapping entails literally tapping on specific meridian points on the body while talking through a specific situation/experience. When you work with a practitioner, they will tell you exactly what to say at each point while you are tapping.
How does it work?
Tapping works by rewiring the neuropathways in your brain. What you are doing when you are tapping is changing the way your body responds to a specific trigger. The body can’t tell the difference between actual threats & what our amygdala perceives as a threat. What tapping does is halt our fight-or-flight response & reprogram the brain and body to react differently. Tapping on these meridian points sends a calming response to the amygdala so it knows it is safe. Tapping while focusing on a past memory or discussing a stressful event, reprograms the hippocampus & tells the amygdala it is safe. EFT isn’t a mind eraser, but it does clear negative & emotional energetic charges behind a memory, changing our approach and response to the event & life going forward!
How long does it take?
Every person and every trigger is different. Some people can feel completely different after 2 or 3 rounds of tapping, while some people and situations may take longer. For example, you could work on clearing some anxiety over a situation at work in 3 rounds, while a past wound inflicted by a family member, may take a couple of sessions with a practitioner (usually sessions are an hour long).
Can you tap on anything?
Yes! Now with that said, am I out here claiming tapping can heal you from a medical diagnosis such as cancer or autoimmune disorder? No. You can however use tapping to work on anxiety and stress that you are experiencing as a result of a medical diagnosis! I have personally used tapping to work on social anxiety, motivation, stress, feelings of insecurity, and more! I have also worked as a practitioner with clients on a multitude of things. Some of which include relational stress, healing past wounds, feelings of unworthiness, state of the world stress, victim mentality, guilt, low self esteem, and more.
Do you have to work with a practitioner?
No! That is the great thing about tapping! It can be done on your own, anywhere, anytime! I do recommend you find a source – whether it be a practitioner, youtube video, IG post, etc. the first few times you are tapping to ensure you are getting the full benefit and following the correct patterns. If you are working on healing something heavy, I do highly recommend working with a practitioner who can guide you through that process in a controlled, safe environment. Also if you are struggling with what to say while tapping, a practitioner would be a wonderful resource for you to have because they will create the script for you.
Where on the body are the meridian points?
What if I miss (or skip) a point while tapping?
That is fine! If you start watching various practitioners on youtube, you will probably notice that not everyone does it the exact same way. For example, I always skip the underarm point when tapping on my own and with clients. Let’s just say my chest does not allow for that point to be easily accessed. 🙂 I am also certified in a form of EFT (emotional freedom technique) called Energy Tapping. With this form of tapping you start each session with breathwork and actually add a tapping point – the third eye or center of your forehead. I have also seen practitioners only utilize four or less of the tapping points.
How will I know if it’s working?
Initially when you start, you are choosing to work on something that causes you anxiety, or stress, you are doing the work to change how this specific thing makes you feel when you think about it or are triggered by it. As you tap, you will notice changes in how your body is feeling. If you are working with a practitioner they will track this with you by having you rate the intensity of the negative feeling (1-10) after each round of tapping. Physical signs the tapping is working include yawning, a more relaxed feeling over the body, loosened shoulders/back, etc. These are all ways the body is releasing that stress.