Calming the stress response
‘Tapping’ on the body’s acupressure points sends signals to the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) to reduce cortisol and adrenaline production-essentially downgrading the fight-or-light response in real time.
Memory reconsolidation
When a fear memory is recalled while the body is simultaneously in a calm state (induced by tapping), the brain re-saves that memory with less emotional charge,
Phobias are conditioned fear responses. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has been found to interrupt the neural pathway between the trigger and the panic response thorough repeated paring of the stimulus and with a calming physical action.
Lifetime fears released
*Clive was a keen cricketer who first came to me as he struggled for a number of years with the ‘yips’ and was devastated as his ability to bowl had gone. Even pitching the ball in a straight line was impossible. Following a few sessions he was free to enjoy bowling again.
Clive also loved the outdoors and was due to go on a walking holiday in the mountains. He enjoyed the beauty of being in nature however had a fear of heights and on one particular route/pathway there was a bridge he needed to cross that terrified him. Intrigued he asked if EFT could help with this fear?
In my experience of helping people through the years, there is often an traumatic experience early on in someone’s life that will -energetically stay with them- and trigger the body’s fight or flight response. When I asked Clive if he recall such a time in his life he told me when he was in school (aged around 14 years) rushing down the spiral stairs in his school he tripped and tumbled down the marble stairs. Physically he was okay, however the shock/trauma of that day had stayed with him. Even sitting in a café in local hospital, one of the tables was next to a spiral staircase a number of floors up, looking down into that space Clive experienced a phobic response.
I used ‘Tapping’ to help release the trauma from the memory of the event. I then asked Clive to imagine walking across the bridge, we did this a number of times.
The core mechanism for release
We tap on specific meridian points on the body whilst simultaneously focussing on a distressing memory or feeling. The idea is that this dual focus disrupts the stress response tied to that memory. Each time a memory is recalled then experienced in a calmer state , the brain has a chance to refile it with less emotional charge.
Returning from his holiday Clive told me he was fine walking across the bridge, also visiting relatives in the hospital and he was amazed that he was able to enjoy a drink in the café sitting on the table next to the stairs!
What research says
Several randomised controlled trials (RCT’s) have shown EFT can significantly reduce phobia symptoms (e.g fear of heights, flying, needles, public speaking etc).
*Clive is not his real name
If you’re struggling with a phobia and would like the opportunity to experience the joy of being free
Contact me for a FREE initial consultation on 07818851643 or message me at sean@confidenceontap.com