EFT Tapping: A Science-Backed Approach to reduce Stress and Anxiety
Posted on August 19th, 2025
What is EFT Tapping?
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) are a range of strategies designed to reduce stress. EFT Tapping is a therapeutic technique that involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body, while focusing on a particular issue, emotion, or memory. The process typically includes:
- Identifying the emotional issue
- Rating the intensity of the emotion
- Creating a setup statement (e.g., “Even though I feel anxious, I deeply and completely accept myself.”)
- Tapping on a sequence of acupressure points while repeating reminder phrases
This combination of physical stimulation and cognitive awareness aims to reduce distress, calm the nervous system, and rewire how the brain responds to stress or trauma.
Is There Science Behind EFT?
Yes — and it’s growing. Over 125 peer-reviewed studies have explored the effectiveness of EFT, with promising results.
Clinical research shows EFT can be effective in treating:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic pain
- Phobias
- Emotional eating and cravings
- Performance anxiety
One of Australia’s leading researchers in this field is Dr Peta Stapleton, a clinical and health psychologist based in Queensland. Her work has been instrumental in validating EFT as an evidence-based therapy. In her widely viewed TEDx Talk, Is Therapy Facing a Revolution?, Dr Stapleton explains how EFT fits into the future of psychological treatment, backed by neuroscience and clinical trials.
Why EFT Works
EFT taps into both the emotional and physical aspects of distress. While traditional therapies often focus on thought patterns or behaviours, EFT includes the body’s role in storing and processing trauma.
By stimulating the body’s acupressure points while consciously processing emotions, EFT is believed to calm the amygdala — the brain’s alarm system — and reprogram emotional responses to triggers.
This mind-body connection is particularly helpful for individuals who feel stuck in their healing process or who struggle to articulate emotions through words alone.
What to Expect in an EFT Session
A typical EFT Tapping session may involve:
- Identifying a target issue (such as a distressing memory, emotion, or belief)
- Learning the tapping sequence and acupressure points
- Practising EFT together in a safe, supportive environment
- Reflecting on emotional shifts and changes in intensity
EFT is gentle, non-invasive, and adaptable, making it suitable for children, adolescents, and adults alike.
Is EFT Right for You?
EFT can be a valuable addition to your therapeutic journey, especially if:
- You’ve tried other therapies but still feel emotionally “stuck”
- You’re dealing with unresolved trauma or stress
- You prefer a technique that includes the body as well as the mind
- You want a tool you can use independently between sessions
While not a one-size-fits-all solution, EFT is a powerful and empowering technique for many.
Tapping Into a Healthier You
At Rockhampton and Yeppoon Psychology Services, we’re committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care. EFT Tapping is just one of the many tools that some of our therapists offer.
Let’s work together to tap into your full potential.
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