Over 30 years ago Dr. Roger Callahan discovered that you could stimulate the instant release of stored emotions by tapping along the meridian system in an acupressure-like fashion while focusing your mind on the past hurt or current stress/fear/anxiety (1). This discovery has lead to a grounding technique known as Thought Field Therapy or Tapping Therapy.
“The technique is so powerful that it has been used with genocide victims in Rwanda and Bosnia, for disaster victims in Haiti and is used by a trainer of the British Special Forces in the Congo and with U.S. soldiers returning with PTSD panic attacks from the battlefield.”
Jack Canfield, Founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul
There are 8 main tapping points and 1 additional point.
- Eyebrow
- Side of eye
- Under eye
- Under nose
- Chin
- Collarbone
- Under arm
- Top of head
- Additional point: Hand (karate chop point)
Tap lightly, but firmly on each point. One “round” of tapping has been completed after you have finished tapping all 9 points.
Follow these steps to begin Tap Therapy…
First, close your eyes and focus on the emotion you want to release. On a scale of 1-10 how intense is this emotion?
Second, start the tapping sequence by tapping the “karate shop” spot on your hand 10 times. As you tap, repeat aloud the emotion/belief you are experiencing. Follow your statement with affirmation like “I accept myself, I love myself, etc.”
Example: “Even though I am scared I won’t succeed, I accept and love myself.”
Do this three times.
Third, begin the tapping the other 8 points while continuing to focus on your emotion or source of anxiety. Tap each point 5-7 times, repeating aloud a statement that helps keep you focused on the emotion.
Example:
Top of Head: “My fear of failing.”
Eyebrow: “My fear of being doomed.”
Outside of Eye: “I’m afraid I will not succeed, and I’ll never move up in life.”
Continue this tapping sequence until your emotions have diminished or have dropped down to a 1.
If you are a more visual learner, please enjoy this 8 minute Tapping Therapy video by EveryJayLiving:
Sources: https://www.jackcanfield.com/blog/tapping-therapy/