EFT — Emotional Freedom Techniques — has its roots in the pioneering work of Dr. Roger Callahan, a psychologist in the 1980s.

Like many in his field, he became frustrated that traditional psychotherapy often wasn’t enough — he himself said it sometimes had as little as 5% success with deeply rooted fears and traumas. Determined to find another way, he began exploring kinesiology (the study of the body’s energy systems) and acupressure points from Chinese medicine.

One of his most famous cases was with Mary, a woman who had lived with a crippling fear of water. Roger had worked with her for 18 months using conventional therapy, but the fear remained.

One day, as Mary was describing the fear, he asked where in her body she felt it most strongly. She said, “In my stomach.” Roger knew from kinesiology that the stomach meridian is linked to the acupressure point just under the eye. He suggested she tap that point — and to their astonishment, her phobia disappeared almost instantly.

Roger himself admitted he didn’t know what exactly he had done — but he had clearly unlocked something powerful. This moment led him to develop Thought Field Therapy (TFT), where different problems required different tapping sequences on specific meridian points.

In the 1990s, Gary Craig, who trained under Roger, simplified the process into one universal tapping sequence that anyone could learn and use. This became EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques.

What I love about EFT is that it combines the wisdom of ancient meridians with a simple, practical method for today. You don’t need needles, equipment, or even to “get it perfect.” You just gently tap while focusing on your feelings, and the body’s stress response begins to soften.

Today, EFT is used worldwide for stress, grief, trauma, anxiety, and even physical pain. For me, it was a lifeline — a simple tool I could use anytime, anywhere, to calm my mind and body.

Why EFT Matters To Me

I first came to EFT about three years after my daughter Rebecca died. I was carrying so much pain and anger, but I didn’t understand it at the time.

My very first EFT session uncovered a memory I had buried — feelings about mistakes made by the medical profession in Rebecca’s care. It was overwhelming, I cried deeply, but it was also such a release.

Just as Mary’s lifelong fear melted when she tapped under her eye, I experienced my own unlocking — a shift in something I had carried silently for years. That moment showed me the true power of EFT: it helps us reach emotions we may not even know are there, and gently release them.

EFT combines ancient meridian wisdom with simple fingertip tapping, and for me, it was a lifeline — something I could use anytime, anywhere, to calm my mind and body.

A Gentle Invitation

EFT is such a simple tool, but it can be deeply powerful. You can do it on your own at home, or with the support of someone alongside you.

If you’d like me to guide you personally through EFT — whether you’re facing grief, stress, or just want to learn how to use it with confidence — you’re very welcome to connect with me.

Together, we can take things one step at a time, in a safe and gentle way. 💜

With warmth,
Joanne