FAQs

How many sessions will I need to have?

It really depends! A few people will get a very fast healing in one or two sessions. Many people need about 6-10. For people who want to work long-term on their personal growth, the journey never ends. An issue with a clear-cut cause such as a phobia is likely to take less time than a complex issue such as depression or anxiety, although improvements are often felt immediately.

I'm  worried about reliving painful memories, will I have to do that in an EFT session?

No, absolutely not. There is no need to retraumatise yourself. In EFT we use many techniques to gently work around difficult stories, whether they are a painful memory, or something that is embarrassing or shameful to tell. If need be, I can lead you through the process without the need for you to tell anything at all, although usually it is helpful for me to know a little bit about the issue.

Do you have to believe in it for it to work?

No, not at all! It is important that the client is willing to try and has not been sent to me by a well-meaning relative, but it can work even if you don't think anything can help you, or you don't 'believe' in the energy system of meridians and acupressure points.

 Is EFT therapy?

EFT is an evidence-based somatic therapy. It is not the same as psychotherapy or counselling. It does not provide a diagnosis. It’s not a cure for psychiatric conditions. It’s a therapeutic intervention that can help you feel better and reduce or eliminate symptoms of common conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, and many more. In some cases these may even become subclinical, or disappear altogether after a course of EFT.

Read more in my blogpost, "Is EFT therapy?"

I imagine therapy as lying on a couch delving into my childhood - will I have to do that in an EFT session?

Definitely not! EFT is a very down to earth, practical process. There is often a lot of laughter as a person's burdens are lightened. Childhood memories very often surface, but it depends on each person. It is never necessary to explore a memory that someone does not want to. The outcome of EFT is focused on the here and now, and how a person can best live their life

Will I lose my memories if I 'clear' traumas?

No, your memories will not go away. Those things still happened to you. What often changes is the way people think and feel about those memories. It can be deeply satisfying to remember a person or an event without the pain. Sometimes people do forget that there was ever a problem, depending on the memory, but important memories stay intact. Similarly, if you heal a phobia of heights, it doesn't mean that you will want to go and stand at the edge of a tall building. A healthy, normal fear of heights remains, just the symptoms of abnormal panic and vertigo that prevented normal behaviour are cleared.

Is EFT trauma-informed?

EFT can be a very effective treatment for all kinds of trauma, from phobias to c-PTSD. The phrase "trauma-informed" refers to the general approach of a practitioner or organisation. As well as completing EFT International's rigorous certification process, I have taken several different training courses and undertaken self-study in trauma, polyvagal theory, TTT (trauma tapping technique) and trauma-informed care. I make every effort to ensure my practice is trauma-informed.

Read more in my blogpost, Is EFT Trauma-Informed?