Tips & Tricks for Using Advanced Affirmation Statements
The 7-Part EFT Manual:
Using the Reminder Phrase
Sometimes, one round of the tapping sequence while voicing your affirmation is enough to clear up the issue. However, when subsequent rounds are necessary, you can employ a "reminder phrase." This is simply a word or short phrase that describes the problem and which you repeat out loud each time you tap one of the points in the sequence. In this way you continually "remind" your system about the problem you are working on.
The best reminder phrase to use is usually identical to what you choose for the affirmation you initially used. However, you can use a short cut if the setup is particularly long by simply saying one or several words to speed up the process and do more rounds.
For example, if you are working on a fear of public speaking, the initial, or "setup," affirmation would go like this:
"Even though I have this fear of public speaking,
I deeply and completely accept myself."
Within this affirmation, the underlined words "fear of public speaking" are ideal candidates for use as the reminder phrase. Simply repeating this reminder phrase and the affirmation are usually sufficient to "tune in" to the problem at hand.
Lingering Issues: Adjustments for Subsequent Rounds of Tapping
Sometimes the first round of tapping doesn't completely eliminate a problem because a new issues or issues that prevent further progress show themselves via the tapping. These issues -- whether images, conversations, interactions or in some other form -- are in some way related to the first problem being addressed -- sometimes they are part of or the core of the cause, sometimes they are a result. The barrier restricting your emotional health, in other words, is made up of more than one brick -- and you must eliminate all the bricks.
If this is the case, you should do additional rounds of tapping as necessary to eliminate all the issues, but adjust your affirmation slightly as follows for best results:
"Even though I still have some of this __________,
I deeply and completely accept myself."
Note the words "still" and "some" and how they change the thrust of the affirmation toward the remainder of the problem.
EFT Cautions and Advice
The following information provides an overview of the
EFT technique to give you a sense of how this amazing "tool" works. But bear in mind that by far the best instruction for this powerful technique is visual/audio instruction. When you are ready to tap into EFT's full potential, an outstanding (and economical!) investment is
Gary Craig's full DVD or EFT series on learning EFT called "The EFT Course."
Gary Craig is the pioneer of EFT that I learned from, and in his series (that comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee) you will learn everything you need to know to employ the remarkable
Emotional Freedom Technique.
Clinicians and clients should only do what feels right or good to them. You should not enter into emotional or physical waters that seem threatening. It is your responsibility to take care of yourselves in this setting. Remember professional help is easily available. Here are some cautions and advice with EFT:
Be Specific
It is essential for clinicians to be extremely specific with language when using EFT.
Tuning In
The clients need to be totally tuned in to the issue of concern when using EFT. Sometimes, when the material is emotionally painful, clients will want to disconnect from their feelings. Look for any signs that the client is becoming distracted or disengaged and make sure that they repeat the Reminder Phrase as they tap the treatment points.
Cognitive Shifts
As with energy movement, it is essential to pay attention to the cognitive shifts that can occur with even a single round of the tapping. A cognitive shift has occurred when you reframe the problem. Seeing the problem from a new angle, you will often express a sense of surprise and insight. These movements can offer valuable connections and associations and may open new pathways for healing. Following a cognitive shift, you often feel less guilt and self-blame, more hope, or a simple sense of relief in an area where there has never been relief before.
It is important to stop after tapping and see if you notice anything different or if something new came up after you tapped. This is frequently the underlying issue that is the real root of your problem.
Try It On Everything
EFT can be used to treat deep limiting beliefs, fears of the future, fear of success, fear of failure, and anxiety about expectations, poor body image and future relapse settings. One of the favorite sayings of Gary Craig, founder of EFT, is "Try it on everything."
Energy and Intention
Many clients report that they do not have the same success when using EFT by themselves and on themselves. This likely has to do, in part, with the advantage of combining the energy and intention of two people sharing a single purpose during a session. When clients are less than satisfied with their own results, it is best to find a therapist to help them resolve the issue at a deeper level.
Through Me, Not By Me
This is one of Gary Craig's other favorite sayings. EFT practitioners are NOT healing their clients. The healing is done through us if our clients are open to receive it.
Many people see themselves as special healers. This, in fact, interferes with the treatment process. The reality is that they are not healing anybody; the clients are actually healing themselves. Witnessing and facilitating this process is humbling as well as gratifying.
Keep Well Hydrated
Water conducts electricity, and EFT accesses the electrical energy that flows through our bodies and minds. It is very important for both you and your clients to be properly hydrated. That would be about one quart of pure water per day for every fifty pounds of body weight.
Next Page: EFT Affirmations: Timing and Mirror Work
