EFT Tapping / Emotional Freedom Technique

• Overview

  EFT Tapping is a technique that combines elements of cognitive therapy with rhythmic tapping on acupressure points on the face and upper body. It’s often described as “psychological acupuncture without needles” and is used to help calm the nervous system, reduce emotional stress, and in some cases, relieve physical symptoms.

  For people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, Long COVID, and other stress-linked chronic illnesses, tapping can offer a simple, self-led way to downshift from fight-or-flight and address unprocessed emotions gently.

• How It Works

  The process usually involves:

  1. Identifying a feeling or issue (e.g., anxiety, pain, fatigue, fear of crashing)

  2. Tapping on a series of meridian points (such as the side of the hand, eyebrow, temple, under the eye, etc.)

  3. Repeating short phrases out loud or silently, acknowledging the issue while affirming self-acceptance (e.g., “Even though I feel exhausted, I deeply accept myself.”)

  4. Noticing changes in the emotional or physical intensity before, during, and after the round of tapping

  The goal is to regulate the nervous system, discharge emotional intensity, and shift how the brain responds to internal or external stress.

• Worth Knowing

  • EFT is easy to learn and can be done on your own, or with a certified practitioner

  • Some people use it daily as part of a nervous system regulation routine

  • May help reduce the emotional response to symptoms like fatigue or pain

  • Research is mixed - some studies show promise, while others view it as placebo or pseudoscience

  • It’s gentle and accessible, but may not feel like “enough” on its own for deeper trauma work

  • There are free scripts and videos online, and apps like The Tapping Solution

  Common Themes Among People Who’ve Benefited:

  • Feel easily overwhelmed or stuck in fear cycles

  • Don’t feel ready for deeper trauma processing

  • Want something quick, calming, and free

  • Need emotional tools they can use alone, anytime

  • Have trouble accessing or expressing emotions directly

• Costs

  Typical Costs for Individual Sessions

  • UK: £40–£100 per session (most commonly £60–£80)

  • Europe: €50–€100 per session

  • USA: $75–$200 USD per session

  • Australia/New Zealand: $90–$180 AUD per session

  • Sessions are usually 60 minutes; some practitioners offer shorter 30-minute follow-up sessions at a reduced rate

  Paid Programmes & Resources

  • Online EFT practitioner-led courses: £100–£250 GBP / €120–€300 EUR / $130–$350 USD / $200–$500 AUD for multi-week programmes

  • EFT self-help books such as “The Tapping Solution” – £10 GBP / €12 EUR / $14 USD / $20 AUD

  • Mobile apps (e.g., The Tapping Solution App) – free basic content with optional premium subscription from £8 GBP / €9 EUR / $10 USD / $15 AUD per month

  Discount-Friendly Directory

  • Many EFT practitioners offer sliding-scale or concession rates for clients on low income, disability benefits, or living with long-term illness (ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, POTS, chronic pain, etc.)

  • Group tapping sessions and online workshops can be much cheaper than 1-to-1 sessions — often £10–£30 GBP or equivalent

  • Some charities and community wellbeing projects include free EFT classes for chronic illness support groups

  • There are many free EFT tapping videos, scripts, and guided sessions on YouTube (including those from The Tapping Solution and other certified practitioners)

  • The Tapping Solution app offers free basics alongside optional paid content

  • Worth asking directly about illness-related discounts or “pay-what-you-can” options, especially if unable to work due to health

• Links

  https://www.thetappingsolution.com/

• Recovery Stories That Directly Cite This Therapy

  Rachel O’Connor - ME/CFS, Fibro, IBS

  Amir Norris - ME/CFS