How long to tap, how many session to tap, getting 100% clear
How long should I use EFT on an issue? Is it important that I tap on an issue until it is 100% clear? How many sessions should I work on the same issue?
There are a number of things to consider when approaching these questions. It will be easiest to take these questions one at a time.
How Much Work In One Session?
When it comes to how long to tap in one session it is good let our bodies be our guide. When tapping we are doing energy work. We are clearing energetic blocks causing energy is moving around and through the body. Because of the nature of the work we are doing it can be draining. Typically people can tap for about an hour before they need to take a break, but if you are doing work on something that is very emotional you might need to tap for less time before the body needs to rest.
Each person is going to react to EFT in a different way. I have clients who will have lots of energy one minute and the next minute they are completely exhausted. While other clients will slowly become more and more tired. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you need to stop.
As a side note, if you do find yourself particularly tired after a tapping session, make sure that you keep your system hydrated. When the body is tired it means you have done a good deal of work and water is essential to the body re-energizing itself.
Do I need to get 100% clear?
The amount of time you should spend tapping on an issue is going to depend on what your goal of tapping is. Let look at the examples of killing a craving and getting over the fear of public speaking to examine the different type of goals we can have with tapping.
When it comes getting rid of a craving my goal is not necessarily to get rid of the craving, but instead to make a good choice. My comfort food is Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I often crave them about 930p as I am getting ready for bed. The craving will peak at about an 8 on the SUDs scale. My goal of tapping is to make sure I am making good choices about what I am eating. After a round or two of tapping the level is down to a 1 or 2. The craving is still there if I tune into it, but I am not going to give into a craving level that is that low.
Again, my goal was not to eat the candy. Therefore I am now in a spot where that goal is reached. Because I am going to easily make the choice I want to make I don't need to do anymore tapping.
When I am using EFT to clear the anxiety I feel when speaking in public my goal is to be anxiety free when I speak so I can do the best job I am capable of doing. It is 10 minutes before I am to step to the microphone and my level of anxiety is at an 8 on the SUDs scale. After a few round of tapping my anxiety is down to a 2, but it is still there. My goal is to be anxiety free as I am speaking, because I know if I am anxiety free I will do a better job of speaking. Since my goal is anxiety free and I am still at a 2 I am going to keep tapping until I am clear.
When we are using EFT the goal typically isn't to clear whatever issue we are working on, but instead we are clearing an issue so that we can feel or act differently. Sometimes it is going to require us to completely 100% clear something to make that change. There are going to be other times where we don't need a 100% clearance to change our state or choices.
I have client who I have been working with on pain management. For her it is enough to get the chronic headache that is a 7 or 8 down to a 2 or 3. When it is at that level it is a manageable amount of pain. The pain is no longer something she feels all the time, therefore is enough work.
How many sessions do I need to on one issue?
Again, this is going to depend on the issue and what your goal is for the issue.
The rule of thumb I use is, "Keep coming back until you know it is gone."
The issue we are working on often can have varied and deep roots. Just because we are working on an issue and feel clear after one session doesn't mean that is going to be gone for good, but instead we have just cleared enough for this moment. When it comes to working on big issues (self-esteem, trauma, chronic pain) it more than likely is going to take a number of sessions.
Any issue that is worth spending time on is also worth spending time coming back to it to insure it is gone. This is one of the reason I encourage my clients to take notes when they are tapping. By taking notes on the types of issues you are working and the phrases you are using you are going to insure that you can come back to make sure you have cleared something.
I would keep revisiting an issue until you can revisit three different times in a row with not reaction at all.
Summery
Remember, there are no cut and dry rules for how much and how long you should tap on a specific issue. The most important thing to understand is why you want to clear the issue. When you why you are doing the work, then you will have a much better gauge on when you can move on to something else.
Did this article feed you? Leave a tip!
There are a number of things to consider when approaching these questions. It will be easiest to take these questions one at a time.
How Much Work In One Session?
When it comes to how long to tap in one session it is good let our bodies be our guide. When tapping we are doing energy work. We are clearing energetic blocks causing energy is moving around and through the body. Because of the nature of the work we are doing it can be draining. Typically people can tap for about an hour before they need to take a break, but if you are doing work on something that is very emotional you might need to tap for less time before the body needs to rest.
Each person is going to react to EFT in a different way. I have clients who will have lots of energy one minute and the next minute they are completely exhausted. While other clients will slowly become more and more tired. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you need to stop.
As a side note, if you do find yourself particularly tired after a tapping session, make sure that you keep your system hydrated. When the body is tired it means you have done a good deal of work and water is essential to the body re-energizing itself.
| Be the first to know about new entries, articles, and resources at EFT Q & A. Enter your email address below then check your inbox to confirm. |
Do I need to get 100% clear?
The amount of time you should spend tapping on an issue is going to depend on what your goal of tapping is. Let look at the examples of killing a craving and getting over the fear of public speaking to examine the different type of goals we can have with tapping.
When it comes getting rid of a craving my goal is not necessarily to get rid of the craving, but instead to make a good choice. My comfort food is Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I often crave them about 930p as I am getting ready for bed. The craving will peak at about an 8 on the SUDs scale. My goal of tapping is to make sure I am making good choices about what I am eating. After a round or two of tapping the level is down to a 1 or 2. The craving is still there if I tune into it, but I am not going to give into a craving level that is that low.
Again, my goal was not to eat the candy. Therefore I am now in a spot where that goal is reached. Because I am going to easily make the choice I want to make I don't need to do anymore tapping.
When we are using EFT the goal typically isn't to clear whatever issue we are working on, but instead we are clearing an issue so that we can feel or act differently. Sometimes it is going to require us to completely 100% clear something to make that change. There are going to be other times where we don't need a 100% clearance to change our state or choices.
I have client who I have been working with on pain management. For her it is enough to get the chronic headache that is a 7 or 8 down to a 2 or 3. When it is at that level it is a manageable amount of pain. The pain is no longer something she feels all the time, therefore is enough work.
How many sessions do I need to on one issue?
Again, this is going to depend on the issue and what your goal is for the issue.
The rule of thumb I use is, "Keep coming back until you know it is gone."
The issue we are working on often can have varied and deep roots. Just because we are working on an issue and feel clear after one session doesn't mean that is going to be gone for good, but instead we have just cleared enough for this moment. When it comes to working on big issues (self-esteem, trauma, chronic pain) it more than likely is going to take a number of sessions.
Any issue that is worth spending time on is also worth spending time coming back to it to insure it is gone. This is one of the reason I encourage my clients to take notes when they are tapping. By taking notes on the types of issues you are working and the phrases you are using you are going to insure that you can come back to make sure you have cleared something.
I would keep revisiting an issue until you can revisit three different times in a row with not reaction at all.
Summery
Remember, there are no cut and dry rules for how much and how long you should tap on a specific issue. The most important thing to understand is why you want to clear the issue. When you why you are doing the work, then you will have a much better gauge on when you can move on to something else.
Did this article feed you? Leave a tip!
| Free EFT Q & A Newsletter | Learn EFT | EFT Sessions w/ Gene Monterastelli EFT and Stress Busting Products | Ask a Question Contact Us | Learn Emotional Freedom Techniques |
Dear Gene, I don't know the Laws or rules where you may live, but I was wondering. I graduated from Massage Therapy School years ago.I was a little surprised at an answer you gave a writer. I know in our field (MT)we are not allowed to Diagnose, or to give advise outside of our Training or "Scope of Practice" I realize EFT is very powerful. Many things can be helped or even cured. Even still, we live in a Litigious world where MANY would just Love a Lawsuit Payday. I have no idea as to your training besides EFT. I just know that if a stranger asked me "...
but I was wondering if I could use EFT to do the sit-ups/leg raises to build my muscles". This is one of those Slippery Slopes where, at least in my neck of the woods, To not inform the questioner That Only a Dr.could answer such a question. I am unaware of the Ability of EFT to "Build Muscles" Maybe I'm reading too much into this, I just know that my Professional Liability Coverage is Very Expensive, I don't need any Malpractice suits nor would I feel comfortable ethically, answering questions outside of my training. This is also definitely
an Ethical area. No wonder The Shrinks (MD.'s) feel so threatened. They would jump all over this with, "This is why we go to school for 20 years!"
We where always taught "When in doubt, refer it out" (To a M.D.) Yes, I am well aware That Gary says "to try it on EVERYTHING" (Just spent a fantastic week as his and his Daughter Tinas Guest at a filming of Veterans with PTSD) If I didn't know 1st hand how busy the poor guy is, I would e-mail him to get his opinion. Has anyone else wondered this point? ThanX, Debi
Reply to this
I agree with what you have written here. I think there are a number of EFT practitioner who give the rest of a bad name by using EFT on things they are not qualified for. My rule of thumb is, "If I am not qualified to work with it without EFT then I am not qualified to work with it with EFT."
In the example given in the article at no point was I diagnosing what was going on her body. We were only tapping on how her visualization of the movement was like. I was never having her do the movement for me. Many times I told here, "To take total responsibility for her body and that she should take the advice of her physical therapist before doing any types of exercise." I should have been much more clear in my writing.
Thanks for the feedback.
Reply to this
ThanX for clearing it all up for me. It truly is sad that we live in such a litigious society. One where we have to remember the lengths some Cretins will go to, just for an easy buck. I appreciate your efforts and for the opportunity to Learn here...ThanX
Reply to this