Tapping for Teens: Helping Students to Self Soothe

 

Based on my own experiences and questions that I have received from other counselors, I have decided to create a series of blog posts regarding free to low cost techniques you can incorporate into your school counseling repertoire. Each couple of weeks, I will introduce a new skill.

The first skill that I would like to introduce to you is a Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Tapping. EFT was founded in 1995 by Gary Craig to help adults relieve their emotional distress, negative emotions, and anxiety.  EFT has been scientifically proven to help with study skills, weight loss, sports performance, and other issues the student wants to resolve. 

One reason I wanted to introduce this skill is because it is easy to learn, simple to teach, and can be demonstrated to students either in person or virtually.  Another plus for EFT is that it has been scientifically proven to work!!  One explanation of why EFT works is because it balances the activity between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system when pressure points are activated.  Another reason I like EFT is because it can be completed in a short amount of time.  In fact, one type of EFT can be completed in as little as 90 seconds. 

Here is a very simple explanation of how to incorporate EFT in a session with a student.

The student comes in anxious and worried.  To calm the student so you can speak to him or her, try incorporating the EFT sequence below.

• First, the student must identify the issue or problem.  The issue can be a study skills issue, relationship breakup, failing a class, etc.
• Ask the student to identify a set up phrase.  Some examples can include: "I am okay", "I am doing my best", "I like to get better", or "I give myself permission to".
• Next, the counselor explains the tapping sequence. There is an initial set up where the student will tap the side of his/her hand called the karate chop area. The student will tap this area three times repeating the set up phrase. 
• The counselor demonstrates the sequence with the student. The counselor will show the tapping sequence which includes lightly tapping the following areas:

Inside the eye

Outside the eye

Under the eye

Under the nose

Under the chin

Under the collarbone

Under the arm

On top of the head

• The student and counselor go through the sequence using the EFT script. The long version includes 10 rounds while the short version or RATT is 90 seconds and includes four steps.

 These steps include:

Rate it: Before you begin, identify the problem and measure its intensity from 0–10. Also try to think of a very short phrase that best describes your problem.

Affirm it by repeating a Set-Up Phrase three times that acknowledges the problem and accepts yourself and your willingness to let it go. At the same time either rub the ‘Sore Spot’ or tap the ‘Karate Chop’.

Tap for it by carrying out the tapping sequence as follows: Say a reminder phrase to keep you focused on the problem as you tap on each one of the remaining meridian points of Eyebrow, Side of Eye, Under Eye, Under Nose, Chin, Collar Bone and Under Arm, The reminder phrase can be shortened to, for example, ‘fear of spiders’.

Test it: How does the problem feel now as you think about it? What number would you give it? If the number has gone down but not to a zero then repeat the Set Up-Phrase and Tapping Sequence again.

Source: Tapping for Dummies

How Do You Know EFT is Working?

Dr Craig explains 12 indicators to let you know that the method is working.  These characteristics include:

1. Gasping (a exhale of surprise) 

2. Sighing (an inhale of relief or boredom) 

3. Yawning (energy is shifting!) 

4. Tears or watery eyes (can happen from yawning) 

5. Coughing

 6. Lump in the throat clearing 

7. Knot in the chest clearing 

8. A buzzing feeling through the body (as if more oxygen is flowing all over)

 9. Shoulders dropping

 10. Sleepiness

 11. Tiredness / weariness

 12. Sudden pain relief

Want to know more about EFT, check out these resources below.  

Resources

Tapping Scripts

Check out my Tapping Manual for student from TPT. 

Download my free Tapping Poster for your office.

Training for school counselors is available by Devorah Goldblatt.

See you in the next post!!!