Meet EFT, the therapy that promises to balance emotions

EFT activates the same points as acupuncture.
Photo: Getty Images

Have you ever heard of a therapy that promises to eliminate emotional blockages? This is EFT, which stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques or, in Portuguese, Emotional Liberation Technique. Created by the American Gary Craig, it stimulates areas of the body known as meridians and releases negative energy and emotions held back in these points. André Lima, a holistic therapist who surrendered to EFT in 2007 and has been teaching it ever since, explains that the technique activates the same points as acupuncture. Chinese medicine believes that illnesses are caused by blockages in the body – capable of triggering chemical and hormonal changes. “The technique is applied when we talk about something that makes us uncomfortable. At the same time, we stimulate the specific points in the body that make the energy circulate, dissolving the negative emotion while the client repeats self-help phrases”, explains André.

In practice, it works like this…

Graziella Marraccini, astrologer and EFT therapist, says that there are no limits or contraindications for applying the technique. Exception only for those who have certain disorders, such as schizophrenia. “It can be used to treat everything from heartache to addiction,” she says. According to the specialist, the results come with the practice of the exercises. EFT (also known as needleless emotional acupuncture) can even be applied remotely with the help of a therapist.

The professional asks the questions so that the client tells what bothers him. From there, he formulates phrases to encourage unlocking (for example: “Although I have this problem, I deeply and completely accept myself”) and teaches the movements. The customer repeats the gestures while talking.

Where does it come from?

EFT was developed by Gary Craig from the work of Roger Callahan, an American psychologist who was familiar with acupuncture. Callahan discovered through office experience that all negative emotion is caused by blockages in the flow of vital energy. By making the energy flow, the negative emotion is dissolved. During consultations, he stimulated the patients’ meridians, tapping them with his fingertips. In Brazil, the technique is not regulated, but courses already exist.

EFT also treats:

Anxiety, insomnia, fears, phobias, pain, numbness, tension and other negative emotions, such as trauma, fear of public speaking or even flying on an airplane.