Clinical Emotional Freedom Technques
What are the Active Ingredients and Mechanisms?
After 20+ years conducting clinical trials into EFT (Tapping) I sought to answer the answer of - How Exactly Does Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Work?
With my colleague Dr Robert Schwarz (past ACEP President and Clinical Psychologist), together we wrote the paper:
Schwarz, R., & Stapleton, P. (2026). Theoretical and clinical insights into the psychological mechanisms and active ingredients of emotional freedom techniques. Frontiers in Psychology, Psychology for Clinical Settings, 17,  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1672132Â
Here is the abstract and the paper in full to download. It is open access and you can freely share.
A video overview of the paper is also below to enjoy!
Abstract
Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an integrative mindâbody therapy increasingly utilized for trauma and stress-related conditions. This article is a theoretical proposal rather than a systematic review; its purpose is to synthesize existing evidence and clinical insights to outline a conceptual framework of active ingredients and mechanisms underlying EFTâs therapeutic efficacy.
Active ingredients include acupoint stimulation, exposure within the window of tolerance, integration of self-compassion and acceptance, leveraging demand characteristics and positive expectancy, shifting and titrating the focus of awareness, and the strategic use of the in-session processing. These elements facilitate four key mechanisms:
- (1) reduction of physiological and emotional dysregulation,
- (2) reduction of emotional avoidance,
- (3) cognitive restructuring, and
- (4) memory reconsolidation.
Clinical EFTâs emphasis on in-session processing and body engagement, particularly meridian point tapping, addresses autonomic nervous system dysregulation and promotes a positive relationship with oneâs physical self.
By integrating these active ingredients and mechanisms, Clinical EFT offers a comprehensive approach to trauma treatment that addresses both psychological and physiological dimensions of distress, potentially improving treatment adherence and promoting lasting emotional and cognitive change.
Download the ArticleTheoretical and clinical insights into the psychological mechanisms and active ingredients of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques*Â
About Dr Peta Stapleton
Dr Peta Stapleton is a registered clinical/health Psychologist and Professor in Psychology at Bond University (Australia) who embraces evidence-based and innovative techniques. Peta is the current Chair of Graduate Research at Bond University and is a world-leading researcher in Emotional Freedom Techniques (âTappingâ). She has been awarded many achievements including the Harvey Baker Research Award for meticulous research (Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology), and the 2019 Psychologist of the Year (Australian Allied Health Awards). In 2024 she was awarded the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award from the Australian Psychological Society.
Peta has authored The Science Behind Tapping: A Proven Stress Management Technique for the Mind and Body (Hay House), which won Best Self-Help Book (2019 Best Book Awards, American Book Fest). Her latest book is Memory Improvement Through EFT Tapping (McFarland, 2023). Peta is an accomplished speaker and presenter, and has been featured on more than 100 podcasts worldwide. She has presented at more than 100 Australian and international conferences and is the featured presenter of the Everyday Tapping Series for Gaia, TEDx talk Is Therapy Facing a Revolution?, and The Infinite Game.Â
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As seen in:
* Video overview created by NotebookLM. It has been Human Verified, but errors may still exist.
