EFT for Addictions

Emotional Freedom Techniques Training

Masha Bennett
Neurolinguistic Psychotherapist Advanced EFT Practitioner & Trainer AAMET www.practicalhappiness.co.uk

www.eft4addictions.co.uk

EFT: Definitions & Claims

Acupuncture without needles Emotional form of acupuncture Acupressure combined with cognitive therapy A New Age fad Power therapy Universal healing aid One-minute wonder tool A placebo Another form of quackery Tapping therapy Pseudo science

A fad or a valuable tool?

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Brief History of EFT

Traditional Chinese Medicine /

Acupuncture : < 5000 years ago

Thought Field Therapy (TFT):

developed in the USA by Dr Roger Callahan , 1980s The case of Mary

Emotional Freedom Techniques

(EFT): developed in the USA by Gary Craig, 1990s

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EFT Applications for Addictions

Reducing / eliminating cravings Alleviating withdrawal symptoms Managing anxiety, fear, grief , anger, guilt Relieving physical pain and tension Addressing irrational & negative thinking Healing past trauma Enhancing sense of control Reducing risk of relapse Stress management & personal development tool for therapists

How does EFT work?

No proven explanation of mechanism Popular view: balancing of the bodys energy system in relation to a specific issue? High concentration of mechanoreceptors in areas of skin associated with acupoints Signal produced by stimulating the points appears to reach the limbic system in the brain and reduce arousal Stimulates endorphin production Dual attention / Adaptive information processing? - Effects comparable to those of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing)
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Main EFT Acupressure Points

EFT Point CR Crown EB Eyebrow SE Side of Eye UE Under Eye UN Under Nose CH Chin CB Collarbone UA Under Arm TH Thumb IF Index Finger MF Middle Finger RF Ring Finger LF Little Finger KC Karate Chop Meridian point Several points Bladder 2 Gall Bladder 1 Stomach 1 Governing Vessel 27 Central Vessel 24 Kidney 27 Spleen 17 Lung 11 Large Intestine 1 Pericardium 9 Triple Warmer 1 Heart 9 Small Intestine 3

SS Sore Spot (not an acupressure point, but a neurolymphatic area)

ABC of EFT
Awareness of the problem/issue

Specific description SUD (Subjective Units of Distress) for emotions/physical sensations, or VoC (Validity of Cognition) for beliefs, rating on the scale of 1 10

Balancing

Stimulation of the Karate Chop point, or the Sore Spot Set-up statement to include description of problem and a positive affirmation, the latter usually about self

Clearing

Stimulation of the sequence of points Focus on problem emotions, physical sensations, thoughts, images Reminder phrase (naming the problem) at each point to maintain focus

Awareness of the problem

Specific description, e.g.
General I feel stressed at work I am in pain More Specific I am worried about not finishing my report on time I have a sharp stabbing pain in my left shoulder

I am fed up

I am annoyed with my friend for not ringing me on time

Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Awareness of the problem

cont.

Rating/Scaling the problem SUD (Subjective Units of Distress) 0 10 VoC (Validity of Cognition) 0 10 where 0 is no intensity, and 10 is maximum intensity Alternative scaling methods, e.g. for kids Use arms to show how big the problem is Traffic light system Red high intensity Amber medium intensity Green calm
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Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Awareness of the problem

cont.

What to pay attention to in the clients language in description of the problem

Mental images, e.g. I can still see those scary eyes Emotions, e.g. I feel sadness Thoughts, e.g. I dont know why its upsetting me so Physical Sensations, e.g. churning in my stomach Belief Statements, e.g. I should be able to cope better Sounds/Voices, e.g. I can hear him say Its your fault Smells, e.g. I can still smell her perfume Taste, e.g. metallic taste in my mouth Metaphors, e.g. heavy burden on my shoulders
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Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Awareness of the problem

Non-verbal cues to pay attention to:

cont.

Facial expression, e.g. sad, smiling, confused, scared Breathing, e.g. fast, slow, deep, shallow, (ir)regular etc Muscle tone, e.g. tense, relaxed Skin colour, e.g. pale, red, blotchy Eyes, e.g. gaze fixed or moving, bright, dull, tearful etc Voice tone & pitch Speed/rate of speech e.g. fast, slow Use of emphasis, e.g. and then IT HAPPENED.. Posture, e.g. upright, slumped, open, closed Gestures, e.g. their location, fast, slow, small, large Sweating, e.g. sweaty palms
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Psychological Reversal 1
Psychological Reversal can be defined as Self-

Sabotage on both psychological and energetic levels.

Psychological Reversal can be assumed to be

always present in: eating disorders serious addiction clinical depression serious chronic illnesses and may be present with other issues/conditions
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Psychological Reversal 2
If uncorrected, Psychological Reversal is likely to

stop the treatment (EFT or any other) from working Can be detected through muscle testing (as in kinesiology) however, this requires skill and often takes longer than the EFT Set-up / Balancing, so testing is usually unnecessary.

Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Balancing / Set-up
The Purpose of Balancing is to correct for any

Psychological Reversal / Self-Sabotage present. The correction is TEMPORARY, and the Psychological Reversal can kick-in again within minutes or even seconds The Balancing/Set-up is normally repeated at the start every sequence of tapping
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Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Balancing / Set-up

cont.

The Balancing or Set-up Phrase has two main

components: Statement of Problem / Issue Positive affirmation about self

Typical structure of the Balancing Phrase:

Even though [insert problem] I accept myself.

Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Balancing / Set-up 3
Examples of Balancing / Set-up Phrases:
I deeply and completely accept myself I love and accept myself I forgive myself I give myself permission to [heal, relax etc] I am OK I am a good person I am cool

Even though [problem].

Awareness-Balancing-Clearing

Clearing
Tapping through the rest of the points, 7+ times Reminder Phrase at each point , e.g.
This [problem] Remaining [problem] This [aspect of problem]

Important Note: Reminder Phrase is NOT an affirmation

Its function is to keep us focused on the problem

The Movie Technique

How long does the movie last? If longer than a few minutes, it may need to be split into more than one movie Give the Movie / Memory a title, e.g. Incident at Sainsburys What type of movie is it drama, horror, thriller, tragi-comedy, action film? Tap on the title of the movie After one or two rounds check if OK to look at individual scenes.
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The Movie Technique

cont.

Client to choose one scene & name it Usually the most emotionally charged scene, though sometimes we may work in chronological order Tap on the scene until the emotion subsides, then move to the next one It is important that there is only one emotional peak in each scene At the end get the client to watch the movie from beginning to end Check for remaining intensity, tap more if needed
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Shortcut for Cravings

EFT Shortcut for relieving cravings / urges
Tap on the following points (both sides) whilst focusing on the physical sensation, emotions and cognitions associated with the craving: Under Eye Collar Bone Under Arm Collar Bone (Stomach 1) (Kidney 27) (Spleen 17) (Kidney 27)

Repeat a number of times until craving subsides. Revert to full protocol if required.

Typical effects of EFT on cravings

Intensity of craving / desire decreases, often dramatically Perceived smell of food / substance changes (usually from pleasant to unpleasant or neutral) Tension & anxiety reduces

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Aspects
Aspect = Emotionally significant component of the issue Aspects can be

Aspects can often be

broken into smaller aspects

Aspects can be

Conscious Unconscious Remembered Imagined

Aspects can emerge

Sequentially Simultaneously Both

Emotional Cognitive Visual Kinaestethic Auditory Olfactory Gustatory Symbolic

Side Effects
Side-effects may include
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Tiredness, lethargy, yawning Light-headedness, dizziness Temporary increase in emotional charge Pain/ache moving to another location Different emotion emerging Repressed memories surfacing Feeling of nausea

The best way to deal with the side-effects No.3 to 7 is to continue tapping until the discomfort is alleviated.

Contra-indications
Clients with high blood pressure
avoid tapping on the head can use any other point instead, e.g. collarbone

Pregnant women

stimulate uterus avoid working with core beliefs in the 1st trimester (?) Client in Pre-contemplation Avoid directly pursuing the issue which is being denied Work on any distress experienced by the client Therapists competence & confidence psychotic symptoms / schizophrenia manic depression / bi-polar disorder multiple severe trauma Only use EFT with the above if you already have knowledge / experience of working with this client group

avoid tapping on inside ankle point as it is thought to

EFT Survey
71 respondents including

by M. Bennett in 2008
22 lay users

49 practitioners

Table 1. Self-reported frequency of successful outcome with EFT

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Results for self Frequency no. Never >25% 25-50% 50-70% 70-90% 90-100% 0 1 5 12 24 29

% 0 1.4 7.0 16.9 33.8 40.8

Results for other no. % Frequency 3 2 2 9 24 29 4.2 2.8 2.8 12.7 33.8 40.8 Never >25% 25-50% 50-70% 70-90% 90-100%

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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EFT Survey cont.

Table 2. Top 10 issues
for which EFT was reported to be effective
__________________________________________________________

no. 65 55
54

% 91.5 77.5 76.1 74.6 71.8 64.8 63.4 59.2 57.7 53.5

Issue Anxiety/Panic Anger Confidence/Self-esteem Relationship issues Depression Pain Management Trauma/PTSD Phobias Addictions Abuse issues www.eft4addictions.co.uk

________________________________________________________________________

53 51
46

45 42 41 38

EFT Survey cont.

Table 3. Comparison of EFT with other approaches by practitioners
Approach compared
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Person Centered Counselling Hypnotherapy Anti-depressants Tranquilizers Painkillers

no. 15 13 17 11 11 18

EFT more effective no. %

EFT as effective no. %

EFT less effective no. %

Don't know no. %

10 8 10 9 8 14

66.7 61.5 58.8 81.8 72.7 77.8

3 2 4 1 3 4

20 15.4 23.5 9.1 27.3 22.2

1 1 1 0 0 0

6.7 7.7 5.9 0 1 0

1 2 2 1 0 0

6.7 15.4 11.8 9.1 0 0

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Mashas Contact Details

W: www.eft4addictions.co.uk W: www.practicalhappiness.co.uk E: masha@eft4addictions.co.uk E: masha@practicalhappiness.co.uk

T: +44 (0)7887 617558 A: Practical Happiness, PO Box 142, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 9AD Skype: masha.bennett
Masha Bennett is based near Manchester, UK and travels nationally and internationally to teach EFT to health professionals and general public www.eft4addictions.co.uk

Main References
Bennett, M. (2009) Use of EFT Survey. In

preparation for publication in Journal of Holistic Healthcare. Bennett, M. (2009). EFT: Tapping into New Solutions. Addiction Today, Jan-Feb 2009, pp.30-31 Craig, G. The EFT Manual downloadable from www.emofree.com
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