Emotional Freedom Technique utilised in Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH)

Therapy is most effective when techniques work harmoniously to support clients’ well-being. The Emotional Freedom Technique, often called “tapping,” is one such approach that complements Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) remarkably well. After training with Gold Leaf Training, I was amazed by this technique’s transformative potential. In this blog, I’ll share how the Emotional Freedom Technique enhances SFH, explore its principles and history, and provide practical examples from my practice.

The Emotional Freedom Technique is now a widely accepted treatment for various problems and issues. Its roots date back to the 1970s when psychologist Dr. Roger Callaghan, dissatisfied with traditional therapeutic models, delved into Chinese medicine. Over the next decade, he developed Thought Field Therapy, which uses specific tapping patterns on acupoints known as algorithms.

Therapists trained by Dr. Callaghan created new therapies based on his concepts. One such therapist, Gary Craig, studied under Dr. Callaghan in the early stages of Emotional Freedom Technique’s development. In 1990, Craig developed the Technique, which has gained significant popularity over the past 30 years and is now used globally.

The technique is a gentle and widely embraced method, with most individuals finding it incredibly calming and beneficial after completing the tapping sequence. According to Trainer Clem Turner from Gold Leaf Training, the approach rarely has negative side effects. While some individuals may experience feelings of fatigue, emotional release, headaches, or mild nausea, these are generally short-lived and overshadowed by the overall sense of relief and well-being that the technique provides.

The technique is a therapeutic method that truly integrates cognitive and somatic elements. Clients tap on specific points on the body, known as meridian points in acupuncture, while focusing on emotional issues or distressing thoughts. This process helps to calm the nervous system, reduce the intensity of negative emotions, and reframe limiting beliefs. You can think of the technique as a tool to ‘reset’ your emotional state, like rebooting a sluggish computer.

In my practice, I guide clients through the tapping sequence and provide information to empower them to use the technique independently. This practical, client-centred approach aligns seamlessly with the principles of SFH.

SFH focuses on solutions, positivity, and empowering clients to build a desired future rather than dwelling on past problems. The tapping technique complements these principles beautifully by:

Reducing stress: This technique provides an effective way to “empty” the metaphoric stress bucket, which is a central concept in SFH.

Reducing emotional barriers: The technique clears unresolved emotional distress, enabling clients to concentrate on their strengths and resources.

Encouraging self-regulation: Clients can learn to use this technique independently, fostering agency and control over their emotional states.

Supporting a solution-focused mindset: By diminishing the emotional charge of limiting beliefs, clients find it easier to envision and work toward their preferred future.

Numerous studies support the efficacy of this approach for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, phobias, and trauma. A review published in the “Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine” highlights its effectiveness in reducing cortisol levels and improving emotional well-being. When integrated into SFH, the technique can provide an additional tool to quickly address emotional distress that might otherwise hinder progress.

The integration of the Emotional Freedom Technique into SFH sessions can be seamless and immensely beneficial. For example, I have found that it can:

• Address Pre-Session Anxiety: Many clients experience anxiety before or during their initial sessions. This technique can help clients feel more grounded and receptive, reducing anticipatory anxiety and setting a positive tone for the session.
• Clear Emotional Roadblocks: When clients struggle to articulate or focus on solutions due to overwhelming emotions, the technique can help them regain clarity. By tapping on specific meridian points, clients can release negative emotions and clear mental clutter, allowing for more productive sessions.
• Reinforce Positive Changes: The technique can be used to amplify the emotional resonance of a client’s successes and future visualizations, solidifying their progress. This reinforcement helps in embedding positive changes deeply within the client’s subconscious mind.
• Disassociate from Phobias: The technique is particularly useful in helping clients disassociate from their phobias. By addressing the emotional intensity associated with phobic reactions, the Emotional Freedom Technique can facilitate a more relaxed and controlled response to previously triggering stimuli.
• Enhance Emotional Regulation: Many clients find the technique highly useful for emotional regulation. It provides a practical tool for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges between sessions, promoting ongoing emotional balance and resilience.

I have found the technique immensely beneficial in complementing Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy. Here’s why:

• Promote Self-Empowerment: Teaching clients how to use the Emotional Freedom Technique fosters a sense of self-empowerment. Clients can take an active role in their emotional well-being, applying the technique whenever they face emotional challenges.
• Support Holistic Healing: Combining the Emotional Freedom Technique with SFH aligns with a holistic approach to therapy. While SFH focuses on solutions and future goals, the technique addresses the emotional and energetic aspects of healing, providing a comprehensive therapeutic experience.
• Boost Session Efficiency: Integrating the technique can make SFH sessions more efficient by quickly addressing emotional barriers. This allows more time to be spent on solution-focused interventions, accelerating the client’s progress.
• Enhance Therapist-Client Connection: The collaborative nature of the Emotional Freedom Technique can strengthen the therapist-client relationship. As clients experience immediate relief from emotional distress, their trust in the therapeutic process and the therapist can deepen.

One client came to me, drowning in endless overthinking. He likened it to a ‘mental washing machine’ that never ceased its relentless spinning, leaving him utterly drained and emotionally distant from his girlfriend. As we began tapping through the Emotional Freedom Technique sequence, he was unsure. Could something as simple as tapping make a difference? Yet, after just one round, he paused, looked up, and said, ‘I feel lighter.’ By the end of the session, the weight of his strain had melted away, allowing him to discuss his challenges without feeling overwhelmed for the first time.

When he returned the following week, he was a different man—smiling and revitalized. He had started using the Emotional Freedom Technique independently whenever stress reared its head, and it was transforming his life. ‘It’s like I can finally press the stop button on my stressful rumination, and I have a sense of peace.

The Emotional Freedom Technique or “tapping” is more than just an effective tool, it is a bridge between emotional release and forward-focused change. When combined with Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy, it enhances the therapeutic process by reducing emotional barriers, fostering self-regulation, and reinforcing positive transformations. Its evidence-based benefits, ease of use, and empowering nature make it a perfect complement to SFH, enabling clients to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

By integrating the technique into SFH, we provide clients with a holistic, solution-focused approach that not only helps them navigate emotional challenges but also equips them with a practical tool for lasting well-being. Whether it’s reducing stress, shifting limiting beliefs, or reinforcing positive changes, the impact is profound, helping clients move from emotional overwhelm to a place of balance and resilience.

If you’re curious about how the Emotional Freedom Technique and SFH can support your well-being, I invite you to explore these techniques with me. Together, we can unlock your potential for transformation and help you take meaningful steps toward a brighter future.