Theoretical Evidence

Victoria Rodriguez’s thesis paper and accompanying video explore the somatic movement sequence Tapping In. Tapping In was born to facilitate the mind-body connection, muscular balance, and flexibility as well as implement tools for the physical and mental release of trauma.

This chapter explores how heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the parasympathetic regulation of the heart, is central to the physiological underpinnings of sociality and mental health. It reviews body-based practices, including Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), that can be used in compassion-focused interventions to facilitate safeness and promote clinical change.

Energy psychology, which combines acupuncture point stimulation with cognitive and therapeutic techniques, has shown strong effectiveness in over 120 clinical trials for treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Applied globally in disaster relief, this approach offers immediate stabilization and long-term benefits for trauma survivors, with growing evidence supporting its efficacy in both individual and large-scale settings.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or tapping, is a noninvasive, evidence-based practice proven effective in treating a wide range of physical and emotional conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. With over 100 research studies supporting its effectiveness, EFT has been successfully used worldwide for trauma relief and emotional healing in various populations.

The article discusses the issue of birth trauma and its long-term effects on women, citing the UK's maternity care system and the Covid pandemic as exacerbating factors. It highlights the limitations of traditional treatments for PTSD and introduces Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a potentially effective alternative.

Energy Psychology (EP) methods, which harness human energy for therapeutic purposes, lack a fully satisfactory explanation despite their rich evidence base. While biological models have advanced understanding, they fail to address all EP effects, particularly the role of acupoint stimulation. This paper introduces an energy-based perspective, grounded in Tiller’s multidimensional model, aiming to enhance theoretical frameworks and offer a more comprehensive understanding of EP mechanisms, especially regarding acupoint stimulation's function.

This review of 245 peer-reviewed studies on energy psychology, focusing on acupoint tapping protocols, identifies six evidence-based premises: effectiveness in treating various conditions, rapid results, durability of benefits, biological changes supporting subjective improvements, their crucial role in clinical effects, and their ability to modulate brain arousal. A hypothesis suggests that tapping effectively revises maladaptive mental models by creating emotionally intense experiences that contradict outdated expectations, facilitating neural reconsolidation and psychological change.

This article discusses the use of shorter scales, such as the Friedman Life Balance Scale, Friedman Spiritual Awakening Scale, and Friedman Mini 5 Factor Scale, to track change in psychotherapy sessions, demonstrating their effectiveness in measuring emotional stability, well-being, and spiritual awakening. The study presents case examples of clients who showed improvement in these areas over 15 therapy sessions, supporting an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy.¹

A study in France found that EFT significantly improved mood, reduced aggression and agitation, and improved relationships with family and carers among older adults, and the technique has also been used effectively in various healthcare settings, including care homes and community nursing. It is encouraging to see publication of this article in a nursing journal as well as to see evidence of exploration of the use of EFT in an important demographic of older adults for which there is limited study.

This study examines the effects of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping on anxiety and quality of life among adults in Delhi NCR. Participants underwent a two-week intervention with three EFT sessions, and their anxiety and quality of life were measured using the STAT and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety levels and an improvement in quality of life, supporting EFT as a cost-effective intervention. However, the study notes the need for further research comparing EFT to standard treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.

The role of virtual humans in a range of health scenarios, including therapy and counselling, is being explored as a substitute for human therapists and counsellors. This research study investigates the potential benefits of a virtual practitioner to deliver the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT is a kind of psychological acupressure technique to optimize emotional and physical health. Importantly, our study compares two different types of virtual therapists; one that exhibits empathic behaviour and another that delivers the therapy in a neutral manner...

Theoretically, methods like EFT tapping, especially an exercise like the Personal Peace Procedure, would lower the number of and strength of neuroceptive triggers that can throw a person off into maladaptive responses and reactions in a wide variety of life situations.

Energy psychology is a novel and controversial family of mind/body approaches used in the treatment of a variety of psychological disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. The aim of this study is to expand and enrich existing research about the use of energy psychology in psychotherapy for trauma, through analysing the accounts of three experienced psychotherapists....

Energy psychology is a clinical and self-help modality that combines verbal and physical procedures for effecting therapeutic change. While utilizing established clinical methods such as exposure and cognitive restructuring, the approach also incorporates concepts and techniques from non-Western healing systems.

The first few moments of an encounter with a veteran may be crucial in establishing a therapeutic alliance. A posture of respect and acknowledgment of their service provides a good start. Political observations should be avoided. Many service members identify with the archetypal warrior, laying down their lives to protect others and have a sense of betrayal that their purpose has been interrupted. They are often reluctant to talk about their experiences, or engage with a mental health practitioner, because of similar past experiences that did not bring relief.