How Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) works on Trauma?

This is a more general question I’ve been asked often: Can EFT tapping really help with trauma?
The short answer is yes, but only if you’re doing it right.

There are so many times I’ve seen people online recommending scripts to others. They say things like, “If you’ve gone through grief or trauma, just follow this script four to five times a day.” And yes, it might offer some temporary relief. But let’s be honest, this is not how EFT is meant to work.

If you truly want to heal with EFT, especially when it comes to trauma, I highly recommend learning directly from reliable sources. One of the best places to start is the founder Gary Craig’s website.

But before you dive in there, skim through this post to get a realistic idea of what to expect on your EFT journey and how to use it effectively for healing trauma.

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.

Why You Should Listen to Me?

I don’t share this lightly. I come from an abusive background.

I was hurt repeatedly by the very people who were supposed to love and protect me, my parents. They took pleasure in controlling, hitting, or depriving me. No child deserves that.

For the longest time, I believed I deserved this pain. I genuinely thought bad things should happen to me. I was stuck in a cycle of fear and guilt and shame

EFT was what helped me start breaking out of that mindset.

I’ve come a long, long way. Today, even though I still speak to my parents sometimes, I no longer fear them. I stand up for myself and do not get triggered by them. That is true emotional freedom.

If you told me a few years ago that I’d be sharing this online, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am. And I want to help. EFT changed my life and it can change yours too.

How to Use EFT Tapping on Trauma

Not all traumas are equal. Some are deeply severe, others may feel lighter in intensity. So here’s a simple step-by-step way to begin EFT tapping for trauma safely and effectively:

1. Rate the Intensity

On a scale of 1 to 10, how strong is the emotion or memory?
If it feels beyond a 10, like a 100 or 200, don’t go diving into the full event yet. Just recall small details about it. Let it lightly come into your awareness and start tapping gently. No need to say much. Just tap.

2. Ease Into the Details

Once you feel a little calmer, you can enter the details of the trauma and work through them bit by bit.
Make sure you write down:

• What emotions come up
• What you’re feeling in your body
• Their intensity on a scale of 1 to 10

This is crucial. Not just for tracking your healing, but also to avoid emotional spillover. Sometimes, if you don’t fully clear an emotion, it can pop up later in daily life and affect your behavior or your interactions with others who have nothing to do with that trauma.

3. Work Slowly and Gently

You don’t need to resolve everything at once. You don’t have to start with your biggest trauma.
Start small.
Pick a few memories that feel easier to approach. Tap on those. Build trust with yourself. Then, gradually work your way to the more intense ones.

What If You Feel Overwhelmed?

Yes, it happens.

There were times when I tapped on a memory and ended up crying non-stop, unable to pause or breathe. It was terrifying. I’ve also had moments of deep depression where I didn’t even feel like tapping anymore.

If that happens to you, don’t give up.

Even if you can’t say anything, just keep tapping. Don’t worry about forming the perfect words. Just tap through the points. Your body and subconscious will still do the work. Tapping alone, even without words, can move energy and clear emotional overload.

How Long Does EFT Take to Heal Trauma?

It depends.

A trauma often isn’t a single isolated event, it’s usually surrounded by layers of related experiences, beliefs, and emotional imprints. You might tap on one event and find another one showing up afterward. That’s normal.

But the beauty is, you will feel the shift.

Not only do you heal, but EFT also helps you learn something from the trauma. That lesson helps you move on for good. True healing only happens when you’re ready to let go and take the wisdom with you.

Final Thoughts

If a traumatic memory keeps coming back, it likely means you’ve only healed the surface. That’s okay. Just go deeper.

Keep tapping.

Keep writing down what you feel.

Keep checking in on your progress.

Eventually, you’ll find you’ve reached a point where that memory no longer has a hold on you. That’s when you know you’re free.

I truly hope this post helped you understand how to use EFT for trauma. If you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment. I’ll respond to every single one.

And remember:

Try EFT. Practice gently. And when in doubt, work with a qualified EFT practitioner. You deserve healing. You deserve peace.