An Oldie but a Goodie

I think I will start sharing personal experiences I have had with EFT. Here is an edited story that was printed in Gary Craig's emofree newsletter. Originally, it had two experiences with this friend, but I have cut it back to the one I felt was more important. A slight case of PTSD. Gary's comments precede the experience.

The Movie Technique for a traumatic memory

Hi Everyone,

The EFT Movie Technique is one of our most useful procedures. It often generates impressive results, even in the hands of a newcomer. Note how seasoned EFT'er Dawn Norton uses it for two separate issues.

Hugs, Gary

By Dawn Norton, EFT-ADV


Dear Gary,

I recently had two amazing experiences with a friend in my community. I used the Movie Technique both times to bring total resolution to extremely difficult memories.

I offered to teach her EFT because I knew she had witnessed the aftermath of a hanging that had happened about a year before.

I did not know the details at the time we began. She only told me that she felt a little responsible as he was a neighbor and she probably should have offered more friendship. She also told me that for months she could not walk by that spot … and even now she still had daily memories, heart poundings, and a hard time sleeping at night.

I began with the shortcut method, after asking her if she were to picture it in her mind what her level of distress would be. Clearly her level of intensity was 10 out of 10 at the beginning.

Even though this was the worst thing I ever saw...

Even though no one should have to see something like that...

We used these, and similar phrases taking note of her level of intensity on each round. After about four rounds, she was down to a 1 out of 10 and I explained the Movie Technique to her. I explained that at ANY point, should she feel distressed to let me know and we would do more EFT.

She closed her eyes and began to TELL THE STORY! I did not stop her because I did not want her to feel as if she were doing it wrong. I tapped along on myself on her behalf as she narrated. When she said, "and then I saw him hanging in the tree," I stopped her. How does it make you feel to say that? She replied that she felt all right and continued. When she said, "and then they cut him out of the tree and he fell to the ground," I again asked her if that brought up any emotional intensity. Again, nothing.

When she had finished telling me the story, I asked her if she felt responsible at all for what happened. And here was the shift. "No, I really don't. If I had tried to help him, he might have done it anyway. He was obviously very sad and depressed, and it is just sad that it happened." Or words to that effect. Only 15 minutes earlier, she had felt great regret, and now she did not. How wonderful!

I saw her a week later and asked her how she was doing with what I hoped was a former memory. She said, "Oh THAT! I forgot all about that." I stifled my desire to laugh out loud.

What a blessing!

Dawn Norton, EFT-ADV

Final comments. This is one of several wowie moments I have had with EFT. It is still amazing to me after 4 years with this technique that almost as quickly as someone can be traumatized, they can be un-traumatized. The hardest thing is getting people to just try it.