Science on EFT and Depression

By Tania A Prince

There has been extensive scientific research on EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and its impact on depression. What does that research show? How effective is EFT on the symptoms of depression? How does EFT Compare with other therapeutic approaches?

Depression is a widespread problem around the world that can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. There have been extensive studies carried out around EFT and its use with depression. A meta – analysis is an evaluation of multiple studies in order to combine the data and assess the common results obtained.

The reason why meta -analysis is conducted is because you need to assess more than one study to evaluate the effective of any therapeutic approach. A meta – analysis is an objective study of the data connected to multiple studies to determine what interventions work. It also identifies the most effective interventions. In 2016 a meta- analysis of the research conducted on the studies related to EFT and depression was carried out.

About Depression

Depression is a common problem with over 300 million people globally thought to suffer from it (1). It is estimated that one in six people will experience depression at some point during their lifetime (2). Depression causes feelings of intense sadness, often guilt, feelings of hopelessness, and worthlessness. People with depression often feel low in energy. They can lose interest in doing things that previously gave them pleasure. They can lack motivation and drive.

Concentration, memory and decision making can be affected by depression. It also can affect sleeping patterns. To get a diagnosis of depression a person needs to have symptoms for greater than two weeks. Depression can range from mild to severe. It can be a serious disease that can lead to some people thinking suicidal thoughts and in some cases completing suicide (3).

Meta-Analysis Conclusions

The meta-analysis was conducted using the data from twelve randomised controlled trials (RCT) and eight outcome studies. The studies occurred between the years 2005 and 2015. The conclusions found that EFT was highly effective in decreasing the symptoms of depression. The results occurred in different populations and settings. Improvements stayed over time. EFT worked in both groups and-one-on one situations. Treatment times required ranged from one to ten sessions.

Diaphragmatic breathing (4) is a recommended technique for working with depression. EFT achieved better results than diaphragmatic breathing. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach developed in the 1990’s by Francine Shapiro. It is an evidence-based technique used to treat PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) recommended by NICE.

NICE (5) is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence which issues guideline for the National Health Service in the UK as to which treatments should be used for specific problems. EMDR is recommended for the treatment of PTSD by NICE. It is also used in the treatment of depression (6). The results obtained by EFT were found to be comparable to those of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). EFT had a greater long term impact on the symptoms of depression when compared to a meta-analysis of anti-depressants. (7)

Summation

From the research results, EFT works well as a treatment for depression. When compared to other approaches commonly used for treating depression, it was found to be as good as or in most cases more effective than many commonly used approaches.

References

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/what-is-depression#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/diaphragmatic-breathing#steps-to-do
https://www.nice.org.uk
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/eye-movement-therapy-for-depression.aspx
A Systematic Review and Meta – Analysis of Randomised and non randomised Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27843054

For more information about EFT, including articles and how to learn EFT or become an AAMET Accredited Practitioner visit my website: https://taniaaprince.com

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About the Instructor

Tania A Prince

Reviews from Tania’s EFT Practitioner Training Courses
Below is a small selection of the reviews from Tania’s training courses.
"The training was absolutely amazing and eye-opening. It opened new vistas of possibilities for me. Tania is a fantastic and dynamic trainer, and I would recommend the training to anyone interested in EFT."

"Simply phenomenal! Highly professional. Safe. Fun. Empowering. Such Wisdom. Healing. Reprogramming. Joyful. Easy. Rewarding. Well-guided group process. Respect. Wonder. This training was packed full of really practical, clear techniques. Each step was prepared clearly and given with such joy for learning. Then it was all practised under guidance. Then reviewed again. Tania is a pure delight, a natural teacher, taking the whole group along a journey as well as seeing and attending to individuals in such a caring and wise way, empowering each one of us".

"What an amazing course. I was a bit worried as it is very intensive, and I didn’t know if I would be able to stay focused for so many hours, especially on Zoom. Well, I was glued to my seat. Tania is amazing; she kept me intrigued, and at the end of each day, I finished on a high. What amazing energies, what an amazing course".

"Tania is such a wonderful mentor and support. She has built a wonderful community of students, practitioners, and trainers, and I can't recommend her highly enough. I feel very fortunate to have chosen Tania when I began my career as an EFT practitioner".

About
Tania is an EFT Founding Master, one of only 29 worldwide. She is an EFT International Accredited Certified Master Trainer of Trainers (MTOT). Tania has twenty-three years of experience running EFT Practitioner training courses. Tania trains students in EFT from beginner to Master Trainers.

Tania is also the developer of innovative tapping approaches, MBIR™️ (Mindfulness Based Inner RePatterning™️) and DSR™️ (Deep State RePatterning™️). She has run hundreds of EFT training courses. She has extensive experience running face-to-face (including international and UK-based) and online courses. Tania is also a regular speaker at NLP and EFT conferences. She also runs EFT retreats.

She has worked in the field of therapy for over thirty-one years. She has worked with thousands of clients on a broad range of issues. She specialises in confidence building, teaching presenting skills and helping therapists build their practices.
Tania is a trained presenter with a background in show business and a degree in science. She is also one of the authors of the cutting-edge EFT Book EFT and Beyond.