EFT and EMDR

EFT & EMDR,  Emotional Freedom Technique and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing are relatively new and very impressive therapeutic tools that make it possible to take the intensity and power out of counter-productive feelings, urges, habits, phobias, traumas, and sometimes even physical pain - surprisingly quickly and permanently. When I first heard about EFT and about EMDR, I was highly skeptical.  I thought both sounded silly and thought they couldn't possibly live up to claims made.  When I saw them demonstrated, I changed my mind.                                   
Although in my experience neither technique always works with everyone or on every problem, they are both very effective very often with most people and on most issues. They are certainly the most powerful and quickest methods I've learned yet to help individuals identify and directly diminish upsetting states of mind.

Insight, perspective, and learning better behavioral strategies are all important aspects of change. Simply knowing what you need to stop or start doing, though, can seem impossible when powerful "lizard brain" feelings, memories, or urges take us over, highjack us in effect. By eliminating or reducing the intensity of self-defeating internal states, EFT and EMDR help people bridge the gap between good intentions and successful change.

When I first introduce EFT or EMDR to counseling or coaching clients, I warn them that the techniques will seem weird or trivial at first.  Once clients experience their impact, though, most surprised and impressed.  Fortunately you don't have to believe they work for them to do so. 

I won't attempt to describe the techniques here because verbal descriptions can't do them justice.  You can learn more about EFT at www.emofree.com and more about EMDR at www.emdria.com   

The many ways I have used these techniques effectively with clients include: a snake phobia; fear of flying; emotional indifference; procrastination; resisting the urge to "rescue" a child from hard efforts best left to the child; letting go of chronic agonizing over a disappointing parent; obsessive checking at bedtime to be certain nobody's under the bed; a mouse phobia; jealous rage; shame in response to unfair criticism; and intimidation over anticipated criticism ("egg-shelling").

I especially like the portability of EFT and the fact that clients can learn it and use it between sessions and after therapy is finished. It can be taught and used with clients by phone. Once the technique is learned, along with a few subtleties in its application, it can be used anytime a new problem comes along or an old problem re-emerges. I appreciate and agree with the egalitarian philosophy of Gary Craig, the primary developer of EFT. ToGary and to me, there need be no mystique about how people can improve their lives. The more they do on their own without a therapist, the better.  EFT and EMDR are new, exciting, and powerful tools for making change easier, quicker, deeper, and more lasting.