Wondering about EFT or ‘tapping’? Here is an honest look at what it is, what the research shows, and the evidence-based therapies our psychologists use for anxiety, stress, and trauma.
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Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often simply called ‘tapping’, is a technique developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig. It involves tapping with your fingertips on a series of points on the face and body — based on acupuncture meridian points — while focusing on a distressing memory, feeling, or thought and repeating set phrases.
The idea is that tapping on these points while bringing a difficulty to mind ‘releases’ the emotional charge attached to it. EFT is widely promoted for anxiety, stress, phobias, and trauma, and it combines elements of exposure (facing the difficulty), cognitive work (the spoken phrases), and relaxation (slowing down and breathing).
The evidence, however, is contested. Some studies report benefits, but reviews have found the research to be of variable and often low quality — and, importantly, studies that isolate the tapping itself suggest it adds little beyond the well-established techniques EFT borrows. In other words, where EFT helps, it appears to be the exposure, cognitive, and relaxation elements doing the work.
The Talk Shop is a registered psychology practice, and we will always be honest about the evidence. Some of our psychologists offer EFT / tapping if you would like to try it — not everyone does, so ask about availability when you book. We can also deliver the underlying evidence-based techniques (exposure, cognitive, and relaxation methods) directly.
You deserve a clear, balanced picture. Here is where the evidence currently stands:
If you were considering EFT for anxiety, stress, phobias, or trauma, our psychologists can also help using approaches with strong research support — including the very techniques EFT borrows, delivered properly:
The most extensively researched psychological treatment, effective for anxiety, stress, and unhelpful thinking patterns.
The gold-standard for phobias, panic, and specific fears — safe, gradual, and highly effective.
A WHO-recommended, evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD.
Evidence-based mindfulness and relaxation skills for stress and emotional regulation.
Your psychologist will match the approach to your goals after taking time to understand what you are dealing with.
We believe cost should never be a barrier to quality mental health care. There are several ways to fund your sessions at The Talk Shop:
Medicare Mental Health Care Plan — up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year with a GP referral. Bulk billing may be available.
WorkCover & TAC — no out-of-pocket cost with an approved claim; we bill your funder directly.
NDIS — supported for plan-managed and self-managed participants.
Private Health & self-funded — extras may apply; affordable rates from $50, no referral needed.
Not sure what you are eligible for? Call 1300 224 665 and our team will help you work out your options before your first session.
Our psychologists see clients in-person at all four Melbourne clinics and via secure Telehealth Australia-wide:
The evidence is contested. Some studies report benefits, but reviews have found much of the research to be low quality, and studies that isolate the tapping suggest it adds little beyond the exposure, cognitive, and relaxation techniques EFT combines. Those underlying techniques are evidence-based; the tapping itself is not well supported.
No — and this is a common mix-up. ‘EFT tapping’ (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is the acupoint-tapping technique described here. Emotion-Focused Therapy is a separate, research-supported psychotherapy developed by Leslie Greenberg. They are different things that happen to share initials.
Some do, and some do not — tapping is not offered by every psychologist here, so please ask about availability when you book. We will be upfront that the tapping itself is not well supported by research, and we can also deliver the evidence-based techniques it borrows (exposure, cognitive therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness) directly.
If tapping helped you, that is genuinely worth taking seriously. The likely reason is the exposure, focus, and slowed breathing involved — all active ingredients of evidence-based therapy. A psychologist can help you get those benefits reliably.
Yes. Book a session and tell your psychologist what you hoped tapping might help with, and they will recommend an evidence-based approach — in-clinic or via secure Telehealth, Australia-wide.
No referral is needed to book. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP lets you access Medicare rebates for your sessions.
Bakker, G. M. (2013). The current status of energy psychology: Extraordinary claims with less than ordinary evidence. Clinical Psychologist, 17(3), 91–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12020
McCaslin, D. L. (2009). A review of efficacy claims in energy psychology. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 46(2), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016025
Nelms, J. A., & Castel, L. (2016). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques for anxiety. Explore, 12(6), 416–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2016.08.001
Whatever drew you to EFT, our Melbourne psychologists can help with approaches that genuinely work for anxiety, stress, and trauma. Book online or call — no referral needed to start.
