Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Tap yourself free
Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, is a gentle and powerful approach rooted in Energy Psychology—sometimes called psychological acupressure. During EFT, we tap on specific acupuncture points on the face, torso, hands, and legs to help release blocked energy and restore balance.
Each of these points connects to different organs through the body’s meridian system—a network that links our physical and emotional health. This understanding comes from pioneers like Dr. George J. Goodheart, who mapped muscles to meridians, and John Diamond, who highlighted the emotional connections involved.
EFT is a wonderful complement to traditional therapies, blending both cognitive and body-centered healing. Like the other modalities I use, EFT is grounded in the belief that your body has a natural ability to heal itself. You already hold the wisdom and answers within you—whether you’re dealing with health challenges, stuck emotions, fears, or phobias. EFT helps gently unlock that healing energy and guide you back to a place of calm, clarity, and well-being.
Each of these points connects to different organs through the body’s meridian system—a network that links our physical and emotional health. This understanding comes from pioneers like Dr. George J. Goodheart, who mapped muscles to meridians, and John Diamond, who highlighted the emotional connections involved.
EFT is a wonderful complement to traditional therapies, blending both cognitive and body-centered healing. Like the other modalities I use, EFT is grounded in the belief that your body has a natural ability to heal itself. You already hold the wisdom and answers within you—whether you’re dealing with health challenges, stuck emotions, fears, or phobias. EFT helps gently unlock that healing energy and guide you back to a place of calm, clarity, and well-being.
What is the difference between EFT and CBT?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is based on a simple but powerful idea: the way we think influences how we behave, and together, these shape how we feel. Sometimes, our thoughts and behaviors get stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, leading to feelings of distress or discomfort.
In our sessions, I use CBT to gently explore these patterns—helping you understand the thoughts behind certain behaviors and why they may have become unhelpful over time. This awareness opens the door to new possibilities for change and growth.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) beautifully complements CBT by engaging both the body and mind’s natural ability to heal and adapt. While tapping on specific emotions or stressors, your thoughts often become clearer, offering fresh insights into behaviors and feelings. With this new awareness, you gain the power to shift old patterns and move toward greater balance and well-being.
Together, these approaches support you in creating meaningful change—mindfully, compassionately, and at your own pace.
In our sessions, I use CBT to gently explore these patterns—helping you understand the thoughts behind certain behaviors and why they may have become unhelpful over time. This awareness opens the door to new possibilities for change and growth.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) beautifully complements CBT by engaging both the body and mind’s natural ability to heal and adapt. While tapping on specific emotions or stressors, your thoughts often become clearer, offering fresh insights into behaviors and feelings. With this new awareness, you gain the power to shift old patterns and move toward greater balance and well-being.
Together, these approaches support you in creating meaningful change—mindfully, compassionately, and at your own pace.
Awakening Your Life Energy: The Power of the Thymus Gland
The ancient Greeks understood something profound about the thymus gland—the word thymos itself means life energy. You might also know this as Life Force, Vital Force, or Vital Energy.
Nestled just beneath the upper part of your breastbone, right in the center of your chest, the thymus plays a beautiful role in nurturing this vital energy. It’s largest during early life, gently growing until puberty, then naturally shrinking—a process allopathic medicine calls “normal.” But stress and illness can also cause the thymus to shrink more, which may leave us feeling tired, overwhelmed, or low on energy, and less equipped to handle life’s challenges.
Here’s why the thymus is so important: it produces and releases T-cells, the body’s disease-fighting warriors that help protect us from infections and illnesses like cancer. It works hand-in-hand with other immune organs like the spleen and lymph nodes to flush out toxins and keep us strong.
Beyond its physical role, the thymus is the “control center” for our body’s energy channels, known as meridians. These 14 channels carry the flow of energy throughout us, and the thymus helps keep that flow balanced. When stress disrupts this flow, it affects not only our body but our emotions too—touching feelings of love, fear, jealousy, or anger.
Here’s a simple and gentle way to support your thymus and nurture your life energy: try tapping softly on your thymus with the tips of four fingers from either hand. While you do this, repeat aloud or quietly to yourself the following affirmation about 12 times:
“I have love, faith, trust, gratitude, and courage.”
Try this for at least two weeks and notice any shifts—in your thoughts, how you feel physically or emotionally, or even in your behavior.
You can also choose an affirmation that feels right for you. Here are some ideas:
References:
Diamond, J. (1985). Life Energy. Using the meridians to unlock the hidden power of your emotions. Paragon House: St. Paul, MN.
Encyclopedia Britannica
How Stuff Works - How your immune system works
Nestled just beneath the upper part of your breastbone, right in the center of your chest, the thymus plays a beautiful role in nurturing this vital energy. It’s largest during early life, gently growing until puberty, then naturally shrinking—a process allopathic medicine calls “normal.” But stress and illness can also cause the thymus to shrink more, which may leave us feeling tired, overwhelmed, or low on energy, and less equipped to handle life’s challenges.
Here’s why the thymus is so important: it produces and releases T-cells, the body’s disease-fighting warriors that help protect us from infections and illnesses like cancer. It works hand-in-hand with other immune organs like the spleen and lymph nodes to flush out toxins and keep us strong.
Beyond its physical role, the thymus is the “control center” for our body’s energy channels, known as meridians. These 14 channels carry the flow of energy throughout us, and the thymus helps keep that flow balanced. When stress disrupts this flow, it affects not only our body but our emotions too—touching feelings of love, fear, jealousy, or anger.
Here’s a simple and gentle way to support your thymus and nurture your life energy: try tapping softly on your thymus with the tips of four fingers from either hand. While you do this, repeat aloud or quietly to yourself the following affirmation about 12 times:
“I have love, faith, trust, gratitude, and courage.”
Try this for at least two weeks and notice any shifts—in your thoughts, how you feel physically or emotionally, or even in your behavior.
You can also choose an affirmation that feels right for you. Here are some ideas:
- “I give my body what it needs and return to optimal health.”
- “I allow the innate intelligence of my body to heal my body and mind on all levels.”
References:
Diamond, J. (1985). Life Energy. Using the meridians to unlock the hidden power of your emotions. Paragon House: St. Paul, MN.
Encyclopedia Britannica
How Stuff Works - How your immune system works
Photo from aeroman3
