Who invented EFT Tapping? It’s a question I’m asked all the time, and I love sharing the incredible story behind it.
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Tapping is a technique rooted in the principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. It has helped millions of people worldwide find relief from anxiety, trauma, physical pain, and more. Let’s explore the fascinating origin story of EFT Tapping and trace its evolution from an accidental discovery to the scientifically-validated technique it is today.
Who invented EFT Tapping? An accidental discovery leads to an incredible breakthrough
The history of EFT Tapping begins with clinical psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan in the 1980s.
Dr. Callahan had been working with a client named Mary who suffered from a severe water phobia. Despite trying every conventional therapeutic technique at his disposal for over a year, Mary’s fear remained so intense she couldn’t even bathe her children.
During one session, Mary mentioned a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach whenever she thought about water. In a moment of inspiration, Dr. Callahan drew upon his study of the body’s meridian system (used in traditional Chinese medicine) and asked Mary to tap under her eye – an acupressure point connected to the stomach meridian.
What happened next was remarkable: all of a sudden, that feeling in the pit of her stomach when she thought about water was gone. And Mary’s lifelong phobia vanished within minutes. She immediately went to a nearby pool to test it out, and for the first time in her life, she felt no fear around water. This transformation proved permanent, sparking Dr. Callahan’s journey to understand and develop what he called “Thought Field Therapy” (TFT).
The evolution: Gary Craig simplifies the EF Tapping technique
In the 1990s, Gary Craig, a Stanford-educated engineer who had trained under Dr. Callahan, recognized the potential of this tapping therapy but saw an opportunity to make it more accessible.
While TFT used different tapping sequences for different issues and required a trained practitioner to implement the technique, Craig developed a simplified, one-size-fits-all sequence that people could easily learn and apply to any problem.
Craig named his streamlined version “Emotional Freedom Techniques” or EFT. His vision was to create a technique that anyone could use, anywhere, without needing extensive training or complicated protocols. This standardization helped EFT Tapping gain widespread adoption and opened the door for scientific research into its effectiveness.
The scientific validation for EFT Tapping builds year after year
What started as an accidental discovery has now been validated by over 300 scientific studies.
Over the years, the research base has grown, and we now have studies to show that EFT Tapping can:
- Reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 43%
- Decrease anxiety by 41%
- Lower heart rate and blood pressure
- Help with PTSD, pain management, depression, insomnia, and various other conditions
The technique has even gained recognition from major institutions, with the American Psychological Association acknowledging EFT as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and the National Institutes of Health listing it as a complementary option for anxiety relief.
Bringing EFT Tapping to the mainstream
When I first discovered Tapping, I was immediately struck by its power to create real, lasting change. I felt it for myself, I witness it in others, I read the research – and I was hooked.
Along with my siblings Alex and Jessica, I became passionate about making this technique accessible to everyone who could benefit from it. We developed the concept of “Tapping Meditations,” which are guided Tapping sessions that people can follow along with at home, on their own.
Through The Tapping Solution App, we’ve been able to bring the practice of Tapping to you, wherever and whenever you need it most. It’s like having a Tapping coach right in your pocket. No special equipment, no training, nothing. Just you, your fingertips, and an app.
I’ve seen firsthand how Tapping can support physical healing and emotional healing, and ultimately impact all areas of our lives – from our finances to our relationships to how we manifest our deepest desires in life.
And I can’t wait to see Tapping continue to spread its reach all over the world in the years to come.
Where did EFT Tapping originate? A timeline
- 1980s: Dr. Roger Callahan discovers the basic principles through his work with Mary
- Early 1990s: Gary Craig develops the simplified EFT protocol
- 2000s: Scientific research begins to validate the effectiveness of Tapping for a wide range of concerns and conditions
- 2010s: The technique reaches a global audience through various practitioners and teachers – including through The Tapping Solution, The Tapping Solution App, and The Tapping Solution Foundation
- Present day: EFT Tapping is used worldwide by healthcare professionals and individuals to promote healing
The legacy continues
From its humble beginnings as a chance discovery to its current status as a scientifically-validated therapeutic technique, EFT Tapping has come a long way.
What makes this history particularly remarkable is how the technique has remained true to its original simplicity while proving effective for an increasingly wide range of applications.
Today, EFT Tapping is used by:
- Mental health professionals
- Medical doctors
- Holistic health practitioners
- Personal development coaches
- Millions of individuals worldwide looking to improve their lives and feel healthier and happier
As someone who has witnessed countless transformations through Tapping, I’m continually amazed by its power to create positive change. The story of who invented EFT Tapping is ultimately a story of continuous evolution and improvement, driven by people dedicated to making this powerful healing technique available to everyone who needs it.
Want to experience the power of Tapping for yourself? I invite you to try The Tapping Solution App, where you’ll find hundreds of guided Tapping meditations to help you get started.
Download it today and become part of this remarkable healing tradition!
Until next time… Keep Tapping!
Nick Ortner
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