Center for Inner Healing
Printable Illustrated EFT Manual

To do EFT, first determine what emotion is predominant (up) at the time (i.e., anger, grief, shame, fear, etc.) and set a SUDS (Subjective Understanding of Distress Scale) of between 1-10 on it (ten is the highest). This is a subjective number. Simply use the first number that comes to mind. Then, remember the number and start to address the issue using the technique as follows:

THE SET-UP

Many times, people object to saying something negative to their subconscious mind, fearing that it will seize upon the negative thought and internalize it. That is not the case with EFT. This is the only negative affirmation technique we know of today, however, it should not be a problem. This is because you are simultaneously tapping the access points and eliminating the blockage in the meridians that caused the negativity. By doing this, you are neutralizing the negative thought rather than infusing it.

We do the Set-Up by tapping the side of the opposite hand (the karate chop point - Figure #1) continuously while saying something to the effect of, “Even though I have this anger within me, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

By saying this, we are doing a couple of important things. First, we acknowledge that we are angry. Second, we tell the subconscious mind that, although it is angry (remember, emotions such as anger reside in the subconscious) the conscious mind (which is saying the words) “accepts” it and “loves” it. Can you imagine the relief of the subconscious mind, which is only about 3-4 years of age on an emotional level, hearing that although it's being “bad” by being angry, it is accepted nonetheless by the “mature” conscious side of the mind? That, in and of itself, is a very valuable and profound change of the relationship between the conscious and subconscious parts of the mind. Relief starts immediately.

Some people can't say they love themselves, usually because they are their own harshest critic. If this happens, simply have them say, “Even though I don't love myself, I accept myself nonetheless.” They can also say, “Even though I can't say I love myself, I'm still OK.” This will usually resolve the issue immediately.

SPECIFIC ISSUES

For the "karate chop" (KC) spot you use the first and second fingers of the opposing hand to "tap" repeatedly on the "karate chop" side of the palm saying the following:

"Even though I feel so stressed out because of that phone call I just received, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

You should then repeat the same words or some close variation two more times for a total of three verses while constantly "tapping" the (KC) point the entire time.

GENERAL ISSUES

When you have a more generalized issue, you rub either of the "sore spots" clockwise, one at a time, starting with the right side saying:

"Even though I feel stressed out, but don’t know exactly why, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

Repeat that phrase or something close to it (some variation can be a good thing in this type of “set-up”) two more times, while alternately rubbing the “sore spots” (Figure #2) continuously with the first two fingers of the opposing hand. It should be noted that there are two (2) sore spots, even though only one is shown in Figure #2. The way you find them is to feel approximately 2” down from the collarbone and 3” from the center of your chest. Rub until you find the particular spot that is usually sore on each side. Rub the right side first, then the left, and return to the right side.

We find that the wording of the “set-up” is THE MOST important aspect of the technique. If you get the wording exactly right, the technique works very effectively, profoundly and quickly. If you don't get the exact right words, it still works to some degree, but not quite as well.

There is actually a knack to getting the right wording that comes with time and experience. We’ve noticed that after awhile, a sixth sense arises as to how to formulate the words to address the underlying issues. However, the way to “get the knack” right away is to experiment with different versions of what you intend to resolve. Try all kinds of words that sound similar or mean the same thing as the issue you intend to deal with and you'll be surprised at the affect it has on you and your client.

It should be remembered that you are effectively “talking” to the subconscious mind which is emotionally like that of a 3-4 year old. You don't want to use large or complex words or concepts. Use words that you would use when talking to yourself. Try every variation of the words and phrases you can think of and use a run on sentence if you want until you achieve relief.

Some people who have been raised in a foreign country or who have spoken a foreign language during their early years may be better off using that language to “speak to themselves” during this process. This is especially so if you or your client thinks in that foreign language and then translates to English in order to speak. Sometimes we have instructed people we are working with to actually translate the words we are using into their native tongue and repeat them to themselves out loud. This appears to work better than hoping their “3-4 year old” subconscious mind will translate on its own after hearing our words.

You may also want to incorporate harsh or curse words if you speak to yourself that way. Although this sounds odd, it has proven effective a number of times when nothing else has worked.

There is also another purpose in doing this “set-up” before the rest of the points are touched. The “set-up” corrects what is called a psychological reversal before you begin tapping the rest of the access points. This is done because sometimes your “energy” can be reversed and you will never know about it until you find that your tapping isn’t working. A good example is when nothing is going right for you and you're dropping things and falling down all over the place regardless of how careful you think you're being. Or, you just can't think straight about anything. Those are times when you are likely to be “reversed” in your energy channels and you need to have it corrected.

The “set-up” described above will automatically reverse your energy reversal and put you back on track so that the tapping will work for you. You need not worry about reversing your energy if you are already ok, since you can’t do this part wrong because it only works if you are already reversed.

Another reason for the “set-up” is that it effectively converses between the conscious and subconscious mind. In essence, one part of you is saying to the other part of you that “Even though I feel guilty (for something I’ve done wrong), I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” We believe this is your conscious mind saying to your 3-4 year old subconscious mind that “Despite the fact that you're feeling guilty (which it judges to be totally wrong for its infantile behavior), I will accept and love you anyway.” When the emotional subconscious mind hears this, it can sometimes become overjoyed knowing its being accepted just as it is and is no longer being looked down upon by the conscious mind. It is more than happy to finally be freed from that condescension and judgment of the conscious mind. Once that is done, the subconscious mind is then ready, willing and able to change dramatically in short order using the tapping.

Now, we don't want to give you the idea that this “really” happens just this way. It is meant in a metaphorical sense to assist you in gaining a better understanding of how we perceive it happens in your mind and body. There is no research to support this particular explanation. It’s just how it appears to us as we watch people finally “hearing” that they are loveable and acceptable to themselves no matter what they may have done.

It's sometimes surprising to see how many people have their biggest challenge saying they “love and accept” themselves. They just don't believe it after a lifetime of contrary experiences. But its important to know that you don't have to believe it to say it and allow your subconscious to hear it. Its just amazing how willing the subconscious is to hear and believe something of this nature. Quite simply, from our point of view, it just wants to be accepted and loved. Perhaps that's one of the reasons this all works so well.

THE SEQUENCE

The Sequence you are about to learn is the second most important aspect of the technique. You must first focus on the issue being addressed and follow the tapping points outlined. Please note that we normally use an abbreviated sequence which we call the “shortcut” which consist of the first eight points. We find this usually takes care of the majority of the problems being addresses. However, we have also included additional points to be tapped when the first eight are not completely successful.

THE EYE BROW (EB)

Start by tapping on a point at the beginning of the eyebrow next to the nose. You may use either or both sides of the face at the same time. Use the index and middle fingers together to “tap” between 5-7 times on this point. We say 5-7 times because this is not an exact science. If it was, you could “tap” once on the correct point and be done with it, but since this is not an exact science, multiple taps assure that the point is struck.

As you tap the eyebrow point (EB), say the words “this stress” or “that phone call” or something that identifies the stressful event or issue for which you started tapping in the first place. This is a reminder phrase that is intended to keep your mind on the issue at hand and it may change as you go through the various points.

SIDE OF EYE (SE)

Tap the side of either eye as close to the eye as is comfortable for you between 5-7 times saying “this stress” or whatever the issue is in a shortened version. Again, use the 1st and 2nd finger to tap.

UNDER EYE (UE)

Tap under the eye on the orbital bone approximately ½ inch under the eye between 5-7 times saying “this stress” or anything else that applies to the issue that is relevant and perhaps different than the first or second reminder phrases. This gives the subconscious something new and different to work on as you go along. Again, use your 1st and 2nd fingers to tap while you go along through the points.

UNDER NOSE (UN) (NO PHOTO)                  

Tap under the nose between the bottom of the nose and the top of the upper lip 5-7 times saying the reminder phrase “that bastard” or anything else that fits the bill at that point using both fingers. The reason we've added profanity here is to point out the fact that many people talk to themselves using profanity of one sort or another and sometimes it takes that type of wording to effect a change. It’s how one talks to themselves that makes the wording most effective in our experience.

UNDER MOUTH (UM)

Tap under the lower lip (above the chin) 5-7 times with your first and second fingers while saying “this stress” or anything else that fits the situation. Its important to remember that you don't have to tap too hard to be effective. A simple gentle tap is usually just as effective as a hard pounding type of tap. Often people feel that the harder they tap, the better it will “take effect” but that has not been our experience so far. Usually what brings about the most effective change in the shortest time is the right wording.

COLLAR BONE POINTS (CB)

You may tap on either or both of the two collar bone points. They are located as shown in the photo under the throat and below the Adam's apple where the two long collar bones meet at the base of the neck. They actually feel like two little bumps with a small hollow between them. Tap either or both points 5-7 times each with the 1st and 2nd fingers while saying “this stress” or such other similar statement that fits the issue being addressed. Again, it is not necessary to tap too hard as the body knows what to do with the physical input.

UNDER ARMS POINTS (UA)

Tap under either or both arms in the center of the body (from front to back) and about 4 inches below the armpit. This will be about the same distance as the palm of your hand below the armpit or, if you are a woman, at the bra strap level. Tap 5-7 times with both fingers as stated before while saying “this stress” or anything else that is appropriate for the issue being addressed.

TOP OF THE HEAD (TH)

Tap with one or both hands on top of the head. Continually tap (approximately 5-7 times) and say “this stress” or whatever else is appropriate.

You have just completed the shortened version of the EFT Sequence. We find that this “shortcut” is usually sufficient to accomplish the task at hand since eight meridians have been tapped. However, in certain cases we continue along the points shown below if we have not gotten exceptional results using the shortcut alone.

ADDITIONAL POINTS

THUMB NAIL POINT (TN)

Tap along the area where the bed of the thumb nail and the skin of the thumb are joined. Tap at the point of the nail that is just bending to form the bottom rounded area of the nail 5-7 times with the 1st or 2nd finger while saying “this stress” or whatever else is appropriate.

INDEX FINGER (IF)

Tap on the same point of the nail of the index finger as on the thumb nail along the bed of the nail at the point where the nail starts to bend into the bottom rounded portion of the nail 5-7 time with one or two fingers while saying “this stress” or whatever else is appropriate for the issue at hand.

MIDDLE FINGER (MF)

Tap on the edge of the nail bed where it meets the skin at the point where the nail starts to bend at the bottom of the nail 5-7 times with one or two fingers while saying “this stress” or anything else that is appropriate for the issue at hand.

RING FINGER (NO PHOTO)

You may skip the ring finger since it plays no major role in this sequence of tapping, however, there are certain energy techniques that use the ring finger (also known as the “triple warmer”). If you choose to use it, tap in the same fashion as the other fingers.

PINKY FINGER (PF)

Tap the nail bed at the corner of the nail where the nail bed starts to bend at the bottom of the nail 5-7 times with one or two fingers while continuing to say “this stress” or some similar statement about the same topic.

KARATE CHOP (KC)

We end the sequence by tapping the Karate Chop spot which is the edge of the hand where a karate expert might “chop” a piece of wood with his or her hand. Tap 5-7 times with two fingers while saying for the last time “this stress” or other similar statements.

NINE GAMUT SEQUENCE

The Nine Gamut is actually a synthesis of Neuro-Linguistic Processing and eye movement in addition to continuous tapping on the back of the hand which balances the two sides of the mind, the conscious and the subconscious, and is a powerful adjunct to the primary sequence when an issue won't budge.

To do the Nine Gamut technique, continuously tap on the back of the hand between the ring bone and the pinky bone, in the hollow, while doing the movements directed below.

Then, without moving the head:
• Look straight forward for 5 taps
• Close your eyes for 5 taps
• Look straight forward again for 5 taps
• Look down and to the right for 5 taps
• Look down and to the left for 5 taps
• Move your eyes in a clockwise circle starting at 6 o'clock and return to 6 o'clock
• Reverse the movement starting at 6 o'clock and returning to 6 o'clock
• Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Sing or hum a tune (Happy Birthday works great)
• Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

While doing the circular movement, it is very helpful to have someone else move their fingers or hand in a clockwise and counterclockwise fashion so that your eyes can follow them. It gives your eyes something to focus on while moving. Ask them to watch your eyes closely.

If they notice that your eyes are “jumping” or “skipping” parts of the circle, have them move their fingers back and forth across that section of the circle while you concentrate on following the fingers. It has been our experience that when the eyes can follow the circular movement smoothly over that spot, the issue being worked on often vanishes or is reduced dramatically. As for counting to five, this is a rote memorization process and therefore, uses the left side/conscious mind to do the counting. Singing a song uses the right side/subconscious mind. By alternating the two sides of the mind, you automatically re-balance the two sides of the brain.

You have now completed an entire full Sequence and it is now time to take a deep breath, close your eyes and focus on the subject again to see if SUDS have changed. If you started with an eight and find yourself at a four, you will realize that you have reduced your subjective pain by half and it is time to start a second Sequence. You will do almost exactly the same as your did the first time except the set-up wording changes a bit.

At this point, as you continue doing successive rounds of sequences, changing the phraseology to “Even though I still have some remaining stress (etc.), I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” This acknowledges that there was a change, but some level of stress still remains. We then use the reminder phrase “This remaining stress,” or “all remaining stress,” etc.

As the issue declines in severity, it is best to continue to acknowledge its reduction to the subconscious so that its success is honored.

You should continue with rounds of sequences or nine gamut until the SUDS comes down to zero, at which time you can stop and move on to another issue. New issues often present themselves automatically as the main issue clears. You will often find that it will come down to a 1-2, at which point many stop and expect it will come down the rest of the way on its own. Often times the issue will resolve itself after the passage of some time. In fact, its been our experience that it can take hours to resolve something that you tapped on and didn't think it had any effect, but later you notice that you no longer feel the way you did before you started tapping.

On the other hand, if you want immediate results and you are at a 1-2, you can use the “bottom-to-top six-count eye roll” which is a simple technique that uses the nine gamut point on the back of the hand between the pinky and ring finger bones and you continually tap on that spot while you say “this stress” or something similar, while moving your eyes in six steps from the very bottom to the very top of their range. We use our fingers to have clients look at them starting at the bottom and then in six increments move towards the top point. If you are doing this by yourself, you should make sure that you start with your eyes all the way at the bottom of your field of vision without moving your head and end with them at the very top of it. If someone else is helping you with it, they should move their fingers from as low as you can see to as high as you can see in six increments while saying at each level “this stress” or anything else that's appropriate.

At the conclusion of the bottom-to-top eye roll, it has been our experience that any of the stress below level 2 will be immediately resolved.

THE APEX EFFECT

Many people find that because EFT relieves them of their problems so quickly and effectively, their logical, conscious mind, cannot accept it as being the reason for their relief. They often attribute the most bizarre reasons for their immediate success. It's best to advise them in advance that EFT is often fast acting and very effective and they should not be surprised if it should happen to them. (At the same time, tell them that persistence is the best way to achieve the best overall results for chronic conditions.) You may remind them that they may start imagining reasons for their success, other than EFT, but the truth is that EFT can be very effective - very quickly - most of the time.

ANOMALIES

Sometimes, you may notice that the original SUDS number actually “increases” after doing a round of EFT. Don’t be distressed at this and think what have I done to myself. In fact, it has been our experience that you are actually more successful than you realized at eliminating the first issue and completely eradicating it without realizing it. When the distress increases, you can be relatively certain that you have eliminated the first issue and uncovered a related issue that carries a greater stress with it than the original issue. If you find this happens, we suggest you look more carefully at the two issues and distinguish between them so that you can recognize that a shift has occurred from one to another. Again, don’t be alarmed, just tap on the new issue until it is resolved.

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While we believe that EFT works well with many symptoms, it is still theoretical in nature and there is no universally accepted scientific explanation for its efficacy or lack thereof.

Ted and Maria Robinson have both taken numerous educational courses on Hypnotism and are both certified Hypnotists by the National Guild of Hypnotists and other organizations. While they have also taken a number of courses on EFT, neither of them are credentialed or licenced therapists or health care professionals in that area. It should be noted that there are no credentials available in EFT at the present time as it is still in the developmental stages.

We do not offer any medical or psychological care or advice other than to advise all clients that they are always ultimately responsible for their own health care and if they want medical, psychological or psychiatric care or advice, they should see a medical or mental health care professional.

We also always advise every client to obtain a waiver or referral from their primary care doctor or other medical professional or their mental health care professional before utilizing EFT or Hypnosis. Certainly each client should not discontinue or modify any medication presently being taken pursuant to medical advice without obtaining medical approval.
In the event that a client fails to obtain a medical referral prior to treatment, they assume all risk and responsibility for any adverse outcome that might result from using EFT or Hypnosis.

The Center for Hypnotherapy and Emotional Freedom Technique assumes no liability to any client or third party for any damages or injury which may result from any treatment that has been rendered in good faith in either discipline.