|
EFT is a remarkably gentle and safe stress management method. However, there are some things that one should be aware of when using it, and some limitations to its use:
EFT is not suitable for use with deep seated, complex psychiatric problems, very severe traumas, or major mental illnesses, unless applied under the guidance of a mental health professional familiar with EFT. The latter should be professionally qualified to treat the particular condition in question and also be trained in the use of EFT. However, when EFT is used under the supervision of an experienced clinician, it can be extremely beneficial for patients suffering from such major disturbances as post traumatic stress disorder, multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, manic depressive illness, severe panic attacks, and other severely disabling psychiatric conditions. When applied in a clinical setting, EFT has been shown to facilitate standard psychiatric and psychological interventions, and often speed them up.
As a caution, current research suggests that EFT should not at this point be used for the treatment of seizure disorders unless applied under the supervision of a qualified health professional familiar with such disorders as well as with EFT. In this respect, EFT is subject to the recommendations that apply to most stress management and/or relaxation techniques with respect to seizure disorders. On rare occasions, (but it does happen), such techniques may exacerbate (rather than reduce) the occurrence of seizures in certain individuals. While such reactions are infrequent, proper caution should be observed. Fortunately, recent research on EFT has shown that this undesirable side effect may be counteracted by using a therapeutic sound frequency administered to the patient through earphones (work of Dr. Paul Swingle). When properly administered under the care of a qualified professional, however, EFT has been reported to be extremely effective for minimizing (or even eliminating) seizures in many instances. For more information on the clinical use of EFT for this purpose, email eftandseizures@pcarrington.com.
Although when self-administered, EFT usually has little or no undesirable side effects, if one self-applies EFT to clear the emotional charge from an event that is so disturbing that it might cause too much distress if it were imagined, the instructions on Dr. Carrington's Introduction to EFT Tape 1, for the "Tearless Trauma Technique" should be followed. This is important in order to avoid re-experiencing the event being worked on, for this reason this safety feature is an essential part of Dr. Carrington's training. If for any reason, an usually intense response occurs when one is working on a particular issue and it does not subside easily and quickly with use of EFT or the "Tearless Trauma Technique", one should consult a qualified mental health professional. |