How to process Childhood Trauma using EFT Tapping
If you’re trying to heal from childhood trauma, EFT tapping is probably one of the best methods I’ve found. It helped me release my own childhood trauma in ways I didn’t think were possible.
My childhood was extremely intense. Both of my parents were abusive, and I suffered daily—emotionally and mentally. There was no way out, and I was constantly terrified.
By the time I discovered EFT at 25, I was so scared of life that I couldn’t hold down any job.
I was terrified of feedback even when someone didn’t mean anything negative, I took it personally. I lived in constant fear, feeling like I would be attacked at any moment along with low self confidence because that was my reality as a child.
Essentially, my entire childhood shaped my adult life. Living with that kind of trauma makes functioning in the world incredibly difficult. But then I discovered EFT.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment. Please consult a licensed professional for any medical or mental health concerns.
I remember practicing it with a friend who told me, “If not for EFT, how would you have lived your life?” And honestly, it’s absolutely true. Surviving as someone with that kind of childhood trauma is no small feat.
How Childhood Trauma Affects Adulthood
When you carry unresolved childhood trauma into adulthood, normal adult coping mechanisms often don’t work.
Criticism, feedback, or any strong emotional response can trigger the child within you, magnifying hurt and fear. People who grew up with trauma are always on edge they feel unsafe, hyper-alert, and often out of control of their emotions.
For me, despite being well-educated and doing well in school, my struggles increased over time. Even as a very young child, around 4 or 5 years old, I felt deep depression.
I was responsible for everything: eating, washing my clothes, household chores. There was no comfort, no guidance, no feeling of being cared for. I never had a proper childhood, and I didn’t know how to relax, enjoy, or feel safe.
By 25, trying to survive life without rest, I had internalized the belief that I didn’t deserve care or comfort—something my parents had instilled in me.
When I started EFT, I discovered deep-seated trauma and emotions I didn’t even know existed. EFT helped me release these limiting beliefs and experiences, unlike traditional advice like “Just get over it.”
That kind of advice dismisses your pain, and especially for someone who has lived through real childhood abuse, it’s damaging. You cannot just get over it, you have to work through it.
The Power of EFT
When you approach your childhood trauma through EFT, you start seeing your experiences through the lens of an adult.
It becomes easier to forgive those who hurt you and extract lessons that help you move forward. Once you process your experiences, you become immune to them.
The trauma no longer controls you, and it doesn’t affect your adult life in the same way. This is what makes EFT so powerful, it actually works. I am living proof.
I went from extreme depression and anxiety to being able to manage my emotions, my relationships, and my life with clarity and strength.
How to Use EFT Tapping to Heal Childhood Trauma
1. Write down specific events: Identify moments where you felt injustice, neglect, or any kind of emotional pain. Write them down.
2. Go through the events step by step: Don’t rush. Start with the first part of the event, and list all the emotions you felt during that time.
3. Rate your emotions: Write down a number for each emotion from 0 to 10.
4. Tap through all the emotions: Once you finish, write down the new intensity numbers. You’ll notice new emotions surfacing as you work through the original ones—capture them and continue tapping. When tapping talk about the emotions and how you felt, you can watch a couple of videos on how Gary Craig the founder of EFT teaches how to do it and follow this method above(which is also taught by him but you have to take his course to understand it in detail).
Do not use ready made tapping scripts out there as they are pretty useless when you try to heal deep trauma.
5. Move sequentially through the event: Only proceed to the next stage of the memory once you’ve fully processed the current emotions.
This method is extremely effective but consistency and thoroughness are key. If you skip steps or miss emotions, it can make healing slower or even trigger intense reactions from unresolved trauma.
If your events are extremely intense, I highly recommend working with an EFT practitioner, someone trained to hold space for you safely. Childhood trauma is often intertwined with other events, making it difficult to navigate alone.
Important Advice
1. Don’t get discouraged: Your emotions may feel stuck or intense at first. Stored anger and resentment will come up—that’s normal. Keep tapping through it.
2. Focus on small wins: Even if your emotional numbers don’t immediately decrease, keep going. Persistence matters.
3. You will feel lighter: As you process these childhood events, your behavior, triggers, and emotional responses will change. You’ll experience more freedom, emotional safety, compassion, and self-acceptance.
Childhood trauma is some of the most difficult experiences a person can face—but with EFT, the transformations can be life-changing. You will reduce triggers in your daily life, feel stronger, and gain control over your emotions.
Seeking Guidance
If you’re struggling with childhood trauma and want guidance using EFT, I’m here to help. If you have any questions or want to explore one-on-one support, feel free to reach out.
Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Disclaimer: EFT Tapping is considered an alternative or complementary therapy and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any medical or mental health concerns. Results may vary from person to person.
