Why use an EFT therapist?
If I can learn how to do EFT for myself by watching DVD's and downloading the manual and it is such an effective self help tool why do I need to see a therapist? Why spend the money?
EFT is an amazing and effective self help tool and it is possible to get extraordinary and amazing results with very little knowledge or understanding of how it works and the thinking behind it. In honesty, there are times when it just doesn't seem to work and we feel like we are getting nowhere. When you find yourself 'stuck' like this then its a good time to see a practitioner. If a feeling is uncomfortable, or we don't even know what we are feeling then often conciously, or not, we will not choose to go there. We convince ourselves we are ok, we can live with this, we don't need help and proceed to do anything we can to distract ourselves from the problem. I should know, I am an expert at it. For years I chose to live with pain and depression rather than probe the surface of the problems I had. In fact I was in total denial of them....we all know people like that don't we? Its easy to spot in others, less so in ourselves.
We have all learnt to be good at suppressing our negative thoughts and emotions, after all what choice did we have? We soldier on, ignoring our feelings, possibly because everyone else has always ignored them anyway, convincing ourselves we are 'FINE'. Isn't that our usual response to 'How are you?' 'I'm fine'. Or is that Frazzled, Inadequate, Neurotic and Exhausted. Its better to say I am fine with a grin than tell you the truth about the state I am in!
If its worked for us so far why should we acknowledge all this negative stuff, who wants to dig it all up? Is it not just easier to bottle it up and stuff it down? Easier to work too hard, play too hard, eat too much, drink too much, distract ourselves! It might seem so but unfortunately long term it just doesn't work. We end up either in pain of some kind, depressed, anxious, angry or some other emotional state or worse, seriously ill.
With EFT we have a chance to resolve some of the issues arising to these states of being and physical symptoms, but sometimes its really hard to know where to start or what the problem is, even if we can do it for ourselves. This is where a therapist comes into their own, even for a practised EFT'er. They will help you sort the wood from the trees, clarify the issues and support and guide you where necessary. The main role of a therapist is to create a 'safe' space to allow you to explore areas of the subconcious you would and probably could not explore alone.
There are lots and lots of EFT 1 minute wonders but more often the types of problems that a client will seek help from a therapist for are more complex than that, although they can still happen, so are unlikely to be straightforward and may take more than one session to resolve.
A practitioners role is to ask the right questions to assist the client to get in touch with their issues, feelings and beliefs - probably in ways you would not think of yourself. They also help to keep a client on track and focused, guide them through the process - gently helping you to resolve issues in a safe and comfortable way.
One of our biggest blocks is our own self sabotage and subconcious reversals. The kind of thing that makes it seem like EFT really will not work for us. The practitioner can help you identify these and can be an invaluable help to us in bypassing our unconcious defenses.
In short, the role of an EFT practitioner is not to 'fix' their client but to be a creative and supportive partner in the healing process. A therapist who fulfulls this role will actively teach EFT to their clients and encourage their client to learn and use EFT themselves even before their first appointment which is why I am happy to include details of how to use EFT as self help on this website and also details of where you can download the free instruction manual that will teach you more about how to use this wonderful self help tool.
As an EFT therapist and Energy Psychologist my role is to gently help you explore what's holding you back from a healthy, pain free and productive life. As a therapist I have trained, and continue to do so, in the very best techniques to help people with their emotional problems and the emotional roots of their physical problems. The experience I have gained working with different people, and the insights I have gained from my personal route to physical and emotional health mean that I can help create a safe, neutral, non-judgmental environment where together we can find out what the roots are for limiting self beliefs, anxiety, addictions, chronic pain, fatigue, poor self image and lack of confidence.
There is no need to go into painful memories and retelling of events, in fact I discourage that. You will only talk about something when you are 100% ready to do so. Often I don't even know what the issue is and don't need to know, or for you to need to know, for the treatment to be effective. On the other hand you may feel you need to talk and be heard. For many they have talked about the problem for years and it still feels as painful. This may be the last time you ever have to talk about this and feel that pain!
What I love most about this work is that it is truly client based. My beliefs and opinions are not relevant nor should they be. It is your feelings and thoughts are what we use, in whatever way you need to express yourself, even when you have no idea how to do that or what the root of the problem could possibly be at first. It also is important to me that I know you are leaving with a first class tool that will empower you for the rest of your life. I am very confident of the fact that I can provide a nonjudgemental environment for you.
"If you are looking for someone who won't judge you, who will make you feel comfortable, and someone who knows in and out the issues that surround abuse and trauma, then you really cannot get any better than Gillian. Even during my tears, she remained level headed and grounded, which helped me in processing out very painful emotions. She is sensitive, encouraging me to be silent when I needed to be, and most of all giving. If you are considering Gillian for help with EFT, I strongly believe you will not find a better practitioner. I also know that only someone who has been through immense suffering themselves is able to provide untainted and unconditional support to others who are suffering. Gillian is one of these blessed people. Having struggled herself, she is able to truly feel empathy and compassion for others, and being able to do this is indicative of a true healer. Thank you Gillian!''
Niki, Sweden
The above article is adapted in part from an article appearing on
www.emofree.com by Emma Roberts, EFT Master, The EFT Centre, London.