Has anybody had success using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)?

Question

I've been using it for a few months to work on some self-esteem issues, as well as to help resolve some relationship problems I've been having. I find that it works, but sometimes better than other times. If you've used EFT, what types of issues have you used it for? What has been your success?

In response to tapitaway, I learned it after stumbling across Gary Craig's website, www.emofree.com. He has a free download for getting started with EFT. I am considering finding a therapist in my area though who has advanced training with EFT, as I would like help being able to pinpoint specific issues better. I'm glad to hear EFT is working so well for yourself and for your clients!

Answer 1

EFT, from what I understand, is a technique that attempts to 'reprogram' your thought process by stimulating various points of the body with 'tapping'. I suppose it works, though I have never tried it.
It would seem to me that it would work for some people who feel that they do not have the power themselves to rearrange their thought process.
As for my own thought process, I can be influenced with knowledge and learning more about something, and also by accepting alternative perspectives on the subject.
For example, understanding that everyone's emotions are legitimate, even if we don't agree or understand them. Our emotions are influenced by our perception of things, and out perception is based on our previous experience. We can rearrange that process by giving up the need to control our emotions, and attempting to understand them more. We can give up the need to think our perception is 100% accurate, and try to look beyond our own perspective. We can choose to own our feelings, and realize that no one can 'make' us feel anything, and no one else is responsible for anyone's feelings.
Self-esteem is not something someone an give you. Self-esteem is grown from one's effort to take responsibility for their lives, and the accomplishments they make.
For example, think of how good it feels to make someone's day. now think about how one would feel to do a selfless, charitable deed, such as volunteer work. Think about learning a new skill or mastering one and teaching it to someone else.
You build yourself up from the inside out. That's how one gains self-esteem. It has to be one's own effort to acheive.
As far as all that goes, one has to admit that each challenge has an opportunity hiding behind it, and that they are not helpless victims. It helps to replace "I can't" with "I an not willing to". Granted, you can't lift a car all on your own, but you can find a way to lift the car with help or a device. At least 90% of the things you think you cannot do, you actually can, but you trich yourself into thinking you cannot because you fear that challenge, and you're afraid of failure.
Failure is good, mistakes are good. They are merely ways that teach you what doesn't work. They add to your wisdom and character. They do not detract from our quality as a human being. Failure is a form of rejection, and rejection hurts, but it adds to our character when we try a new mothod. Wisdom comes from admitting that our original method was flawed, and resolving to try a new one.
As for your relationship problems, you might try looking into what you do personally that affects your relationship. We all come with baggage, and it can contaminate relationsips. Our past experience jades our perception, and we look through that filter when we move forward. For example, if you were cheated on, you may become suspiscious of all men. You would be basicaly asking them to carry your baggage. That's not fair and no one else wants to do that.The next guy had nothing to do with the last guy. REflect on your own past experience and discover what baggage you carry, and how it affects your current relationships.
Self-esteem makes it easier to drop off baggage. It makes you more resiliant and see things more clearly. Self-esteem is like a counter-filter that does not distort your reality like baggage does. Self-esteem in contingent on your own effort.
Sometimes we can gain more insight when we talk to an objective party such as a counselor. Since we all have self-preservation and difficulty admitting to where we may be wrong or we may have contributed to a problem, they ar enot too invested in our need to be right or justified. I question any therapists that claim to have a magic pill or technique that will fix something for you. I think we can all fix our own issues by challenging our own self-preservation and accepting alternative thoughts or perspectives.
Whether you think you will be successful with something or not, you will be right. Think about it.

Answer 2

I am an advanced practitioner of EFT and use it often on myself as well as clients. I have used it for a fairly wide range of emotional challenges, and its success rate is very high. How did you learn it?