EFT Gary Craig
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Comparison between EFT and TFT http://youtu.be/4Y3wCBISr0k
The two most prominent “meridian techniques” in the world are the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Thought Field Therapy (TFT).
The Emotional Freedom Technique was developed by Gary Craig in the early to mid-nineties based on the earlier technique Thought Field Therapy which was developed by Dr. Roger Callahan. In 1991, Gary was one of the first people to study under Dr. Callahan to the highest TFT level (known as "Voice Technology") and used TFT for some time before he developed his "streamlined version" of the original technique.
It is important to note that TFT and EFT have both continued to develop and evolve independently since the emergence of EFT in the early-to-mid nineties. Gary Craig openly acknowledges in his EFT Manual that EFT is directly based on Dr. Roger Callahan’s pioneering and insightful work. The TFT web site is at www.rogercallahan.com
There are two parts to this article. The first section is a general comparison of the two techniques, their primary differences and similarities. The second part is more technical and detailed and may be of more interest to those who already have some familiarity with one or both of these techniques.
General Comparison TFT and EFT are very similar in many respects, but they are different enough to stand alone as two separate techniques. There is room for both.
Both techniques involve (amongst some other things) tapping on specific acupressure points (known as “acupoints”) while tuning into or focusing attention on a particular emotion or emotional problem. The acupoints used by both techniques are mostly the same points.
The biggest difference between the two techniques is that TFT uses a different tapping sequence (known as an "algorithm") for each of a number of problem categories (such as anger, guilt, anxiety, etc.), whereas EFT employs the same tapping sequence (or a shortcut version of it) for every emotion or emotional problem. In TFT, each problem category has its own unique algorithm or set of algorithms (as some categories also have alternative algorithms within the same category such as obsessions, which has three algorithms).
In TFT, there is a HUGE emphasis on only tapping on the prescribed acupoints for a particular problem category (such as anger) and only in the prescribed sequence. Each unique sequence (algorithm) is likened to “a code that opens a combination lock”.
In EFT, the sequence is not considered to be important at all. It is the tapping itself that is seen as important, not the sequence. You tap on the same set of (about 14) acupoints (or a sub-set thereof) regardless of the emotion, trauma or problem being worked on. This is usually in the same sequence, but only because it's easy to remember. It can be any sequence or in any order. If all the points are tapped on, the acupoint or acupoints that are relevant to the current problem/emotion get tapped on by default.
TFT is more complex because of these multiple tapping sequences, one or more for each of the prescribed problem categories. Consequently, it is harder to learn, remember and apply than EFT. TFT also requires more skill to apply as there are over 20 problem categories to choose from (as taught in the level I and II TFT training available in Australia) and you can only tap on the specified acupoints using the prescribed algorithms - unless you are trained to Level III or IV which are confidential, rather expensive (e.g. $100,000 US for level IV) and are reportedly not available in Australia.
Feelings and emotions that are not specifically covered by any of the prescribed categories (such as disappointment, confusion, feeling rejected, and many others) can not be directly addressed with TFT as there are no prescribed algorithms for them (if you are only trained in the level I and II TFT algorithms). This can make it much more challenging to apply and self-apply TFT unless you are well trained and experienced. Please note that this is not a comment on the effectiveness of TFT.
Based on the officially approved TFT manual (for Levels I & II only), TFT does not allow you to tap on “presenting problems” such as “my money problem” or anything else that does not have its own algorithm(s) such as “tension in my shoulders” or “feeling shaky”. And, there are no algorithms for negative beliefs or attitudes. A skilled TFT facilitator would discuss these and “ask the right questions” to locate what categories are applicable (which can require a reasonably high skill level) and then do the appropriate algorithm(s).
By comparison, when using EFT, you can directly tap on literally any negative emotion or feeling, problem, condition, belief or event using the EFT tapping sequence. In EFT, the motto is to “try it on anything” and you can tap on virtually anything that has some emotional or energetic intensity (including a headache or “my money problem” or “feeling shaky”). EFT is a fully open and accessible subject with no expensive and confidential levels.
Having a single tapping sequence makes EFT simple and remarkably versatile. It is relatively easy to learn and apply which makes it suitable for self-applications. The EFT techniques for dealing with trauma are extremely effective and appear to have no parallel in TFT (in the TFT Levels I and II materials). EFT's flexibility allows it to be used for a wider variety of issues and also lends it to also be used for personal growth and to improve performance.
Preliminary Conclusions Both of these energy techniques are highly effective and are state of the art as far as emotional healing is concerned.
Does the use of specific algorithms really make a difference? The answer to that depends on who you talk to and also on the skill of the practitioner. Based on my experience with and observations of these two techniques so far, they both work and EFT works as effectively and quickly as TFT. I have seen no evidence to date to support the idea that the use of unique targeted tapping sequences (algorithms) makes any difference at all.
After having used EFT full time for over two years in my practice, I paid for and did a level I & II TFT workshop to ascertain for myself (rather than take someone else's word for it) if the use of precise tapping sequences (algorithms) made a difference and, if so, to be better able to help my clients resolve their problems - especially those that are particularly resistant. I have seen no evidence to date that supports the idea that the use of algorithms is any more effective than the catch-all tapping sequence used in EFT. The assertion expressed in the TFT manual that if you don’t use the prescribed TFT algorithm(s) "it simply won't work” is an absurdly untrue statement and is easily disproved. On the few occasions when EFT did not work on a particular issue and I used the appropriate TFT algorithm(s), in each case, they didn't work either on any of those same issues.
I use EFT the bulk of the time (95%), but occasionally "throw in" a TFT algorithm, or tap randomly on acupoints for awhile, for good measure - but have still seen no evidence that the algorithms make a difference or are better in some way. EFT's flexibility allows both the practitioner and client to focus more on the issues or emotions being addressed (rather than on which algorithm to use) and to follow and work with the emotions or feelings that arise - as they arise, often one after the other (which is called a "daisy chain" in EFT). This is a HUGE advantage.
Some Technical Terms To make sense of the technical comparison below, an understanding of the following terms will help. They also help to show the similarities and differences between the two techniques.
Polarity Reversal or Psychological Reversal (PR) is where the polarities in a person’s energy system is reversed, which can block progress. There are several corrections for PR (such as tapping or rubbing certain acupoints or “release points”) which, if successful, then allows the tapping to be effective.
The Nine Gamut sequence is a sequence of nine actions including eye movements, humming and counting while tapping on a point on the back of the hand called the “gamut point”. It is like brain gym and is believed to mobilize the brain’s resources and balance the right and left side of the brain.
The Gamut Spot or Point is a hollow on the back of the hand (near the two small knuckles) which is tapped on continuously while doing the Nine Gamut sequence or the Floor-to-Ceiling Eye Roll or as part of certain tapping sequences.
The Floor-to-Ceiling Eye Roll is a roll of the eyes upwards from the floor to the ceiling while tapping continuously on the gamut point. It is done to finish off when the intensity is low or to consolidate the work just done.
In EFT, the technique consists of two parts, the Setup and the Tapping Sequence. The Setup is done first and then immediately followed by one or two rounds of the tapping sequence. The setup includes making a statement like "Even though I have this problem (or emotion or whatever), I deeply and completely accept myself" while tapping or rubbing continuously on a specific acupoint (such as tapping the side of the hand or rubbing the "tender spot" below the collarbone). During the tapping sequence, the client usually expresses (out loud) the problem or feeling while tapping on each and every point throughout the sequence. Thus, the setup is done first and then followed by the tapping and the feeling/problem is spoken repeatedly throughout the whole sequence.
In TFT, the tapping is mostly done in silence and corrections for PR are only done after doing some tapping and only when the tapping has not worked or there was little reduction in intensity.
Procedural Examples If you examine how the two techniques are actually done, as outlined below, you will see how similar they are and also how they differ.
A typical example of the TFT procedure is as follows (having already identified a category that most closely fits the problem or event):
- Tune into the emotion, problem or event (i.e. think about it).
- Rate its severity (at this moment) on a scale from 1 to 10.
- Do the tapping sequence (algorithm) for that particular category.
- Check the severity rating again. If little or no change, do an appropriate correction for Polarity Reversal (PR) and repeat the algorithm (step 3). Note: There is more than one "PR correction" that can be used if needed.
- When the severity has dropped adequately, do the Nine Gamut sequence while tapping on the gamut spot.
- Do the tapping sequence (algorithm) again.
- Check the severity rating. If still not a 1, do some more PR correction and repeat all the steps (from step 3).
- To finish off, do the Floor-to-Ceiling Eye Roll while tapping the gamut point.
A typical example of how the full EFT technique is done follows:
- Locate a negative emotion, feeling, problem, belief or event.
- Rate its intensity on a scale of 0 to 10.
- Do “the Setup” (see above) while continuously doing a PR correction, and then
- Do the full EFT tapping sequence, followed by the 9-Gamut sequence and the full tapping sequence again.
- Now, rate its intensity again (as it is right now) on a scale of 0 to 10.
- Do the steps 3 to 5 again on “the remainder” (if needed) to further reduce it.
- Do the Floor-to-ceiling Eye Roll if the intensity is below 2 to finish it off.
Note: Many EFT practitioners use a shortcut version of the above, which speeds the application of the process up somewhat. The parts that are sometimes left out are: (i) Only doing part of the full tapping sequence (specifically, not including any of the finger or hand points), and/or (ii) Not doing the 9-Gamut sequence, and/or (iii) Only doing the tapping sequence once before re-checking the intensity. The parts left out (such as the 9-Gamut sequence) can be included later if they are considered needed (such as when a particular feeling is only reducing slowly). More often than not, only a shortcut version of EFT is required to resolve most emotions or feelings.
Technical Comparison This section is more for those who are familiar with the nuts and bolts of one or both of these techniques and how they are done. It is somewhat technical.
The similarities are many:
- The acupressure points (acupoints) used are almost identical.
- Both use the “9-gamut point sequence”, but it’s used more often in TFT.
- Most of the corrections for “polarity reversal” (PR) are the same or similar (where the polarities in a person’s energy system are reversed).
- The “collarbone breathing exercise” (another correction for PR) is very similar, but is not used much at all in EFT.
- The same basic theory exists for both techniques, but is expressed slightly differently (however, a number of new alterative theories have emerged to explain EFT's effectiveness).
- The aim is essentially the same i.e. to remove the disruptions in the energy system that are causing particular negative emotions or emotional problems (but is expressed differently).
- And, there is an almost identical use of SUDs (Subjective Units of Distress) to determine and compare the intensity or severity of an emotion or feeling before and after an application of the technique (except that, in TFT, a 1 to 10 scale is used instead of the 0 to 10 scale used in EFT).
The main differences include:
- As already discussed, the biggest difference is the use of multiple algorithms in TFT compared to a single tapping sequence in EFT (which can be done in any sequence but is usually done from high to low to make it easy to remember). In EFT, the sequence may be the full sequence or a shortcut sequence.
- All four of the TFT levels are mainly concerned with using or finding the magic sequence or sequences that will "unlock" the feeling or emotional problem. EFT practitioners are not concerned tapping sequences at all and are entirely focused on locating or digging up the right thing or things to tap on (such as feelings, emotions, beliefs or traumas) that will reduce or eliminate the feeling or problem. In EFT, a complex problem is seen as made up of many aspects (components or elements) and are resolved (one by one, if necessary) by finding and eliminating the various aspects that make up the problem.
- The tapping in TFT is done in silence (and that hasn't been changed as far as I know). In EFT, the “Setup” statement (see above) is usually spoken out loud and the feeling/emotion (or whatever) being worked on is also usually expressed each time an acupoint is tapped on.
- PR corrections (corrections for polarity reversal) are only done when needed in TFT i.e. after an algorithm has not reduced a SUD or not much. In EFT, an action to correct PR (such as tapping on a spot on the side of a hand) is part of "the Setup" even though PR is only present about 40% of the time on average. This simplifies the overall process. Doing a PR correction when it’s not actually needed does not cause any problems.
- When doing the particular PR correction that involves rubbing a tender spot below the collarbone, it is only done on the left side in TFT but either side can be used in EFT.
- The floor-to-ceiling eye roll (done over about 6 to 8 seconds while tapping on the gamut point) is used near the end of most applications of TFT, whereas it is not used a lot in EFT.
- In TFT, a LOT of emphasis and a MUCH higher priority is placed on searching for one or more energy toxins (substances or things that caused the person's energy system to become reversed) when the TFT application sequences and PR corrections do not lessen the SUD (intensity) of the problem being worked on OR when "the problem comes back". In EFT, looking for toxins is something that is done only as a last resort after all other standard EFT approaches (e.g. breaking a problem down into it's various aspects, locating core underlying issues and being more specific) and remedial actions have been undertaken.
- In EFT, when a problem comes back, it usually means that there are some more "aspects" (i.e. components) of the problem to be resolved or that there is an underlying or core problem which also needs to be uncovered and addressed. When TFT does not work or a problem comes back, there is a tendency fairly early on to either start looking for an energy toxin and/or refer the client to a higher level practitioner, such as a "voice technology" (VT) practitioner (level IV) who does VT over the phone to find the magic sequence(s). This is another MAJOR difference.
- Training in the Levels III and IV of TFT are reportedly confidential and expensive and I was told (by the person who ran the TFT workshop I did in 2003) that these trainings are not available in Australia. EFT has no confidential levels or materials and is a completely open subject. All the information on EFT is readily available (with much of it accessible from or linked to Gary Craig's web site) and is inexpensive.
I purchased Dr. Roger Callahan’s TFT book “Tapping the Healer Within” in mid-2002, read it thoroughly and experimented with it intermittently thereafter. In April 2003, I did a two-day "Approved TFT Seminar" and am now certified to Level I and Level II. Since then, I have tested both techniques extensively but now use EFT almost all of the time due to its ease of use and consistent results, especially with self-applications of EFT and with trauma and complex problems. When I observe an emotion or problem that neatly matches a TFT category, I occasionally also "throw into the mix" the appropriate algorithm(s) and see if that helps. However, I have also found random tapping to be just as effective.
The bottom line is, the Emotional Freedom Techniques and Thought Field Therapy both work and both are amazingly effective when skilfully, and sometimes persistently, applied. It is my view that it is best to learn EFT first and get confident at using it, and then, if you want to expand your "toolkit", do a TFT workshop and/or to learn another energy technique such as the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) or Be Set Free Fast (BSFF). EFT is easier to get into and gives you a solid foundation to further build your confidence and skills on. I am trained in and use all four of these energy techniques and each has its own angles or emphases, which all add to our toolkits (regardless of which one is being used). And, all of them can be self-applied.
I welcome any comments and feedback on this comparison. Just click here to email me. So, far the feedback has acknowledged that this is generally a fair comparison, except for one somewhat fanatical TFT practitioner.
Peter Graham
August the 8th, 2003. Last revised: 22nd of December 2011
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