For the next chapter of my comparison of alternative therapies for alleviating chronic stress, worry, bad habits, and the symptoms of traumatic experience, we dive into a technique called EFT or “Tapping.”
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques. This mind-body practice combines elements of modern psychology and ancient Chinese acupressure principles to provide a unique form of emotional self-care.
How does tapping work? The basic technique involves using your fingertips to tap on specific meridian points while focusing on negative emotions or limiting beliefs.
By tapping these points in a specific sequence, you allegedly send signals to the brain to “rewire” how you respond to triggers and negativity.
Proponents claim tapping can help reduce stress, anxiety, phobias, physical pain, and even past trauma.
For example, you might start by identifying the issue you want to focus on, such as feeling overwhelmed at work. You’d then rate the intensity of your stress or anxiety on a 0–10 scale.
While keeping that feeling in mind, you tap on a set sequence of points on the face, hands, and torso while reciting a simple reminder phrase like “Even though I feel overwhelmed at work, I love and accept myself.”
After one or more rounds of tapping, you’d re-evaluate the intensity of those feelings, ideally finding some relief.
The Pros of EFT Tapping:
- Simple and portable — can be done anywhere
- Free to learn the basics
- Considered low-risk with no adverse effects
- It can provide temporary relief from stress and tension
The Cons of EFT Tapping:
- Often provides only temporary relief rather than root-cause resolution
- Benefits may come from mindfulness/self-awareness rather than tapping itself
- No professional certifying bodies for EFT practitioners
- Has to be self-administered consciously each time
If you’re looking for a potentially faster and more comprehensive path to overcoming trauma and deep-rooted negative beliefs, you may want to consider an alternative approach called the One Belief Away™ Method.
This approach utilizes subconscious reconditioning to rapidly identify and “delete” limiting beliefs at their core.
Unlike EFT, which manages symptoms, the OBA™ Method gets to the root of the issue by finding the initial sensitizing event that created the unconscious belief. It then replaces that belief with empowering new beliefs aligned with your goals and desires.
Clients frequently report profound breakthroughs and perspective shifts after a single session.
One of the biggest advantages of OBA™ is the depth of unconscious transformation that hypnosis can facilitate. While you have to consciously “tap” through issues with EFT, hypnosis allows the practitioner to access your subconscious mind directly. This presents fewer roadblocks and dramatically speeds up the reprogramming process.
The downside is that the OBA™ Method is that it requires working one-on-one with a Certified OBA Hypnotist™ or One Belief Away™ Coach.
There’s also a higher investment required compared to free YouTube tapping videos. However, many clients find the ROI from OBA™ worth it, given the profound and lasting changes it produces.
Both EFT tapping and the One Belief Away™ Method are tools that can provide benefits for increasing resilience and well-being. Tapping may be a good starting point for managing immediate stressors and gaining self-awareness.
OBA™ could be the more powerful solution for those seeking deeper subconscious breakthroughs and rapid core belief change. As with any personal growth work, the most important thing is taking that first step.
I’ve used and taught EFT techniques to clients when they’ve been with me for several months and want more “power tools” for their mental toolbox.
Occasionally, when the OBA™ Experiences aren’t producing the desired result for certain clients, especially those struggling with OCD, tapping has been a valuable addition.
Overall, I find EFT a useful “surface-level” tool for relieving stress, stabilizing mood, and sometimes breaking a phobic response.
Yet, if I could only use one approach to achieve the desired outcome, the One Belief Away™ Method would be a clear choice because it can accomplish everything EFT does while also healing the root of the issue, which is essential for sustainable positive outcomes.
🙂 Tim Shurr
*If you need help attaining a goal, breaking a bad habit, or overcoming a past hurt, schedule a Free Hypnosis Screeningand determine if OBA™ Hypnosis is right for you.