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Overview
What happens when an EFT trainer has the audacity to offer a daily free group EFT to help others handle the wide variety of stresses that accompany a global pandemic?
I had no idea what I was getting into when I began to offer this service. Months later, after over 80 sessions, I am more certain than ever that EFT is a suitable tool for bringing calm to just about any kind of emotional trauma or upset. EFT practitioners working with groups in the midst of COVID-19 have an opportunity to engage powerful self-care. Also calming others, spreading the benefits of EFT, and amplifying the energy of borrowing benefits.
A time of change
On the evening of March 16, millions of people all over the planet were beginning to shelter at home without knowing when their lives could resume. I was one of them. I had just released a best-selling book called The Comeback – An Energy Makeover Love Story. This book shared how faith and EFT had gotten me through some extremely traumatic events in 2017. The uncertainty of COVID-19 certainly felt familiar.
My post-traumatic growth was now helping me see how I was uniquely qualified to step up my game. With the book signings and training events cancelled from my calendar, I had time. Time to offer help to my current clients and students, while also serving a wider number of individuals struggling financially and emotionally.
What could I do?
Determined to be more generous than ever, I set up a daily free tapping support group via Zoom. Social media, email and the EFT International events page helped spread the word, yet I was not sure who would show up. My plan included a commitment to keep the free group going for as long as it was needed.
Getting started that first week was scary. I confess that I tapped quite a bit before that first zoom call. I’d been an EFT trainer for 5 years and tapping with groups since 2005. And yet I found myself doubting if I could handle a group of unknown issues and participants. I reminded myself that, if all else failed, I could simply offer many rounds of tap and breathe. What better way to put EFT to the test?!
Getting started
Our first session took place on March 17, the day after my state closed. I remember emphasizing the need for hand washing before we shared the first round of EFT to release constricted breathing. Each day the group members provided new topics. These included intense anxiety, sadness about cancelled plans, job loss, insomnia, stress related to children and home schooling. Also physical symptoms, grief, and fears around long term uncertainty.
The anxiety stirred up by news broadcasts, social media and conspiracy theories surfaced in many of our sessions. Quite a few of our participants were sheltering alone and appreciated having the social connection through the group. We tapped together to accept whatever emerged. Time and again we reliably settled our nervous systems. It was not unusual to have laughter and silliness dominate the final moments of our calls.
The sense of responsibility
Holding a call for 30 minutes each day made me keenly aware that my role was to contain the emotional intensity and ensure safety. Our groups were usually less than 9 participants, which was manageable for me. We had an unfortunate invasion by someone who posted sexually explicit photos during the end of our April 1 (April Fool’s Day!) call, which really rattled my nerves. After that, I implemented new security measures, including an additional question for registration and the use of the waiting room feature to admit participants to the call. It’s been smooth sailing ever since.
Accepting whatever shows up
It is not unusual for a new participant to join the call in tears. Taking down the intensity by tapping without words has worked reliably well every single time. Witnessing those tears melting away day after day has given me confidence to stop worrying about who or what might show up. The power of borrowing benefits provided by the group also quickly diffuses the emotional intensity. Perhaps the greatest gift to all was no longer feeling alone in the pain.
On days when participants showed up feeling strong, we offered surrogate tapping for health care workers, protesters, our leaders and those responsible for law enforcement and safety. As businesses started opening up again, new fears emerged. These inspired us to tap about job safety, mandated requirements, childcare and making decisions about safely reconnecting with loved ones.
Where we are now
As of 4 July 2020, we’ve hosted 81 groups, serving hundreds of participants from all over the world. There is also a private Facebook page where video recordings and discussions are posted each day. Most participants have tried EFT and want more practice for new situations.
We’ve helped put a wild toddler to sleep and brought peace to a young couple who just started living together at the time of the shutdown. We have helped dozens of insomniacs begin to sleep peacefully every single night. A solid community of support has been created and new friendships have emerged. We accept new participants just as they are.
A participant's reflection
A regular group participant, Denise H. offered this reflection:
One of the ways group tapping is beneficial has to do the emotional high involved in helping others. I certainly felt it when tapping with this group. On the flip side, I also remember comfort and joy felt when I was the recipient of group tapping. It was unique and powerful.”
And as we continue...
The Tapping for Calm Clarity group continues to meet 3 times each week. If you would like to join one of our calls, we meet at 1PM US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/upwsf-qhqDspX7lAYky7ngIh6iwAn5bPyQ
Betsy Muller, MBA is an EFTi Master Trainer, holistic coach, retreat leader and best-selling author who has been tapping since 2001. Based in Strongsville, Ohio she offers EFT practitioner training , Certification and Mentoring. Learn more at https://createandconnectbrilliantly.com/ or contact Betsy@CreateandConnectBrilliantly.com
Betsy Muller says
Update – the group continues to meet every Monday at 1PM Eastern USA Time.
We just had our 173rd session and post session recordings on a private facebook group page. Registration links are posted on the EFT International events listings
Ann Diment says
Thank you Betsy for your generosity in running this wonderful group during this time of need. I joined you for a few sessions early on in the lockdown and really felt the ‘borrowing benefits’ of tapping as a group. It was wonderful to feel connected to a global group in such a supported way. I have been so heartened by the many groups that have emerged from this crisis to help fellow humans feel supported and it sounds like your group has helped so many people. Thank you.
Betsy Muller says
You are very welcome! I’m glad you could be part of sharing the benefits Ann. We continue to meet on Mondays at 1PM EST and would love to have you back.