Energy healing

EFT tapping

อีเอฟที (การเคาะจุด)

A self-help technique in which you tap with your fingertips on points of the face and upper body while focusing on a difficult feeling or memory.

IntensityGentle

History

1990s – proposed by Gary Craig in 1993, building on an earlier tapping method, Thought Field Therapy

Licence in Thailand

Not required

Where it comes from

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) were proposed by Gary Craig in 1993. EFT grew out of Thought Field Therapy (TFT), an earlier and more complex tapping method; Craig simplified it into a single, general sequence that anyone can learn. His EFT Handbook, published in the late 1990s, became the best-known description of the method.

Craig shared his material freely online for many years; his official site dates his EFT work from 1995 to 2025 and presents two current forms, 'Gold Standard EFT' and 'Optimal EFT'. He retired in 2025 and named a successor. EFT has since been popularised by many authors and coaches, and in 2017 South Korea recognised it as a new medical technology.

The principle

EFT combines two elements: briefly focusing on a specific problem (an emotion, memory or craving) and tapping on points that its founders describe as the end points of the body's energy meridians, borrowed from acupuncture. Practitioners believe tapping helps 'release' emotional charge linked to the problem.

There is no evidence for the meridian explanation, and EFT is widely described in scientific literature as pseudoscience; one higher-quality study found that the location of the tapping points made no difference. Some trials do report reduced anxiety, but critics point out that EFT includes ingredients known to help from established therapies, exposure to the memory, rating distress, breathing and distraction, which may explain the effects.

What people come for

To calm down in a moment of stress or worry
To have a simple tool to use on your own
To feel less overwhelmed before an exam, presentation or flight
To work on cravings or unhelpful habits
To accompany therapy, with your therapist's agreement

How it works on the body

Tapping is light and quick, done with the fingertips, while you stay seated and clothed.

A session, step by step

01
Choose a target
With the practitioner, you pick one specific feeling, memory or situation to work on.
02
Rate it
You rate how intense it feels now on a 0–10 scale (the Subjective Units of Distress, or SUDS).
03
Affirmation
You say a short phrase that names the problem; it is repeated as a reminder while you tap.
04
Tapping rounds
You tap through the sequence of points while keeping the problem in mind.
05
Re-rate and repeat
You rate the intensity again and repeat rounds until the rating stops changing.
06
Close
You discuss what came up; the practitioner may show you how to tap on your own.

Precautions

EFT is not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment. For depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders or addictions, seek a qualified mental health professional, who may decide whether EFT has a place alongside proven therapies.
Focusing on painful memories can bring up strong emotions. If you have experienced serious trauma, work with a licensed therapist rather than alone or with an untrained coach.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, contact emergency services or a crisis line immediately.
There is no single official licence for EFT practitioners; ask about training and be wary of promises to 'cure' conditions in a few sessions.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

In Thailand

In Thailand, EFT is offered mainly by independent coaches, therapists and wellness centres, often in English and frequently online. We found no Thai licence or official standard for EFT practitioners; Thailand's recognised healing systems are Thai traditional medicine and Chinese medicine, with alternative medicine overseen by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. For mental health concerns, it is safest to look for a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, who can advise whether tapping is appropriate for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is there scientific evidence that EFT works?

It is debated. A 2016 meta-analysis of 14 studies and a 2025 systematic review of 7 trials reported reduced anxiety compared with no treatment, but the studies were small, often relied on self-report and had risks of bias. Critics argue that the effects come from components shared with established therapies, not from tapping on 'meridians', for which there is no evidence. Overall it is considered promising for some by its supporters and pseudoscience by others.

Can I do it alone?

Yes, EFT was designed as a self-help technique and is generally considered low risk for everyday stress. For trauma or serious mental health problems, work with a qualified professional.

Does it hurt?

No. Tapping is light, with fingertips, and should never be painful.

How many sessions are needed?

It varies a lot: studies used anywhere from one to dozens of sessions. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees a result in a fixed number.

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