Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in therapy is something I’m so thankful for – because sometimes, just talking isn’t enough – especially when it means opening up about long-held fears and emotions. EFT or tapping, offers a gentle and effective way to calm the nervous system and create space for healing.
In this post, I’ll share how EFT helps regulate emotions, ease shame, and support you both in sessions and everyday life. For many people, the idea of starting therapy is overwhelming – sometimes even frightening. The thought of speaking aloud feelings that have been held in silence for years feels an impossible task. If we try to voice these parts to a stranger, fear may show up – we might worry we won’t be understood, or we might remember times we were shamed for expressing how we felt.
This is where EFT also known as tapping can be a powerful ally.
EFT in Therapy Helps Calm the Nervous System
EFT works by calming the nervous system. As we tap on specific points on the body while speaking about what we’re feeling, something begins to shift. Breathing deepens. The tightness in the chest or throat softens. And suddenly, what once felt unspeakable becomes easier to put into words.
I cannot remember a session where someone has not benefited from tapping. Again and again, I witness a widening of perspective — a shift from being stuck in survival mode to feeling grounded, clearer, and more compassionate and understanding toward oneself.
EFT in Therapy Helps to Create Space for Compassion
Often, when we’re distressed, we’re operating from a very narrow and confined space – defensive, guarded, fighting to stay afloat. Tapping allows people to step outside that reactive mode. I’ve seen clients access self-compassion, and even extend understanding toward others, in ways that previously felt unreachable.
EFT can be particularly helpful when working with shame, which is one of the most difficult emotions to process. Shame can silence us, disconnect us, and make us feel fundamentally unworthy. And yet, I’ve seen shame melt away in sessions through tapping – sometimes, astonishingly quickly.
I’ve worked with clients processing experiences of deep abandonment, humiliation, or trauma. As the memory surfaces, tapping soothes the body’s response to it. Clients begin to realise, often for the first time, that what happened was not their fault. That realisation can be life-changing.
EFT in Therapy Is Also A Tool You Can Use In Everyday Life
EFT also helps people begin to trust the therapy process itself. Rather than feeling flooded or raw after a session, many clients leave with a sense of peace and reflection.
In my own therapy years ago, I often felt that too much came up too quickly and I left sessions feeling worse, not better. That’s why I now make it a priority to close sessions in a grounded, resourced way, so that clients feel safe and steady as they leave.
What I love most about EFT is that it doesn’t stay confined to the therapy room. Clients can use tapping outside of sessions – when work is overwhelming, when home life feels strained, or when old fears surface unexpectedly. It’s a tool that’s free, always available, and deeply empowering.
Curious about how EFT might support you?
You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation. I’d love to hear from you.
When looking for a therapist, are registered with BACP or UKCP