Thought Field Therapy – Tapping

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is the original tapping technique designed to help release emotional distress and restore balance in the mind and body.

It’s a gentle yet powerful approach that can help clear the emotional intensity connected to difficult thoughts, memories, or experiences.

I am trained to an advanced level in Thought Field Therapy and also work as a TFT trainer, which means I not only support clients with this technique but also train other practitioners in how to use it safely and effectively.

The Body’s Electrical System

Alongside its physical systems, the body also has a natural electrical network that carries information throughout the entire system.

This was explored in depth by Björn Nordenström, who described how electrical signals move between cells, tissues, and organs—supporting everything from breathing and digestion to healing and regulation.

In many ways, the body works a bit like a computer. It relies not only on physical structure, but also on energy and information.

This electrical system is made up of interconnected pathways, often referred to as meridians. These pathways don’t just carry physical signals—they also carry emotional information and learned responses.

While Western medicine is still developing its understanding of this system, it has been recognised for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where acupuncture points are used to influence energy flow and restore balance.

What Is Thought Field Therapy and How Does It Work?

Thought Field Therapy was developed by psychologist Roger Callahan after many years of research into how emotional stress is connected to the body’s energy system.

TFT works by gently bringing your attention to a specific issue- something that feels uncomfortable or unresolved- and then using tapping to help your system rebalance, by stimulating specific points along these energy pathways while you focus on the issue.

By tapping on these points – usually around 10–15 times each – we introduce energy into the system. These points are the same as those used in Acupuncture, and are known to conduct electrical signals efficiently through the body.

This helps to:
• restore balance in the body’s electrical flow
• clear disruptions linked to the issue
• send calming signals through the nervous system
• reduce the emotional intensity connected to the thought

These issues might include:
• anxiety or stress
• fears or phobias
• past experiences or trauma
• feelings of anger, guilt, or grief
• emotional overwhelm
• physical discomfort linked to stress

When you focus on the issue, you activate what’s known as the thought field- the internal network of information, emotions, and responses connected to that experience.

It may sound surprisingly simple, but many people notice the emotional intensity around an issue begins to reduce very quickly.

You don’t need to relive or analyse everything in detail. Instead, TFT works directly with the body’s energy system and the way the mind stores emotional information.

We also use a simple scale—called the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD)—to track change. You’ll rate how intense the feeling is from 0 to 10, and we’ll notice how that shifts as we work.

Even people who feel unsure or sceptical often experience real change, which is part of what makes this approach so unique.

What’s the difference between TFT and EFT?

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is often confused with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). However, the two actually have a few significant differences. Today, we’re going to uncover the differences between the two.  Remember: the only evidence that matters is you own experience- do what works for you to end useless pain and suffering.

First, let’s talk about what the two techniques share. Both TFT and EFT involve tapping on specific points on the body while focusing attention on a specific emotion or problem. They also mostly use the same tapping points. The purpose of both methods is to overcome negative thoughts and traumatic memories.

Let’s look at a few differences between TFT and EFT.

TFT came first: Thought Field Therapy was developed by Roger Callahan after he discovered innovative applications of kinesiology and meridian therapies. Emotional Freedom Technique was developed by Gary Craig after studying extensively under Roger Callahan.

TFT is more varied:  EFT is often promoted as a “simplified” version of TFT. Yet it takes no longer to do TFT than EFT.  TFT does not require you setup phases to be repeated as you tap.  Where TFT provides a different set of unique tapping patterns (algorithms) for each problem category, using different tapping sequences for different triggers or emotions, EFT uses the same generalized sequence every time, regardless of the issue that needs to be addressed.  TFT instructs users to stop if it is not working after a couple of attempts and move on to other TFT techniques that are needed.  EFT instructs users to keep doing it regardless of ineffective outcomes.

TFT places a much higher priority on the tapping sequence itself:  In EFT, all the acupuncture points are tapped, regardless of the problem, with the assumption that you’re going to eventually end up tapping the spot that correlates with that emotion or trigger. TFT provides different sequences using a variety of acupuncture points for each category of triggers.

TFT is constantly growing and developing: Roger Callahan continued to develop TFT all the way up until his death. Because of the vast number of potential tapping sequences, it is possible for TFT to continue growing to include even more new sequences. EFT has only one “default” method that is supposed to cover every trigger and emotion.

When required TFT has more advanced ways to determine the precise tapping needed.  EFT uses the same pattern over and over regardless of its effectiveness.

TFT doesn’t require you to endlessly talk about your problems: When using EFT, you have to voice the problem you are experiencing while tapping every point from top to bottom. In TFT, the person receiving treatment only needs to think about their trigger and remember how it made them feel in order to use the tapping sequences effectively.

TFT is the only tapping therapy rated as effective by the national registry of evidence based programs and practices. 

Fundamentally, EFT is a “one size fits all” approach to managing traumatic memories, triggers, and negative emotions, while TFT is a more customized approach that gives you the ability to really focus in on specific emotions and triggers when you need to. EFT promises a “simplified version” of Roger Callahan’s TFT techniques; however, we have learned over years and years of using TFT algorithms that there truly are certain sequences and tapping points that are more effective for finding relief and freedom in each category of problem.

Most TFT practitioners take the techniques they learn and implement them in ways that are unique to their own methodology. One of the great things about TFT is that it can be used in combination with any number of other therapies which allows for practitioners to find the way that works the best for them. Most tapping techniques are based on the original Thought Field Therapy techniques developed by Roger Callahan, and the continued development of new methods of implementation has greatly improved the effectiveness of alternative healing.

How TFT May Help

Thought Field Therapy can help you release emotional patterns that may have been holding you back—sometimes for years.

It can support you to:
• reduce anxiety and stress
• let go of fears and phobias
• ease the emotional impact of past experiences
• release feelings like anger, guilt, or sadness
• feel calmer and more balanced
• move forward with greater clarity and confidence

As the emotional intensity reduces, many people find they feel lighter, calmer, and more able to move forward.

My Approach

As an advanced practitioner and trainer in Thought Field Therapy, I bring both depth of experience and a practical, supportive approach to each session.

Every session is tailored to you. My focus is always on creating a space where you feel safe, understood, and able to move forward at your own pace.

TFT is not about forcing change—it’s about allowing your system to naturally return to balance.