"The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also referred to as tapping therapy or energy psychology, has been gaining popularity both as a self-help technique and psychological intervention. However, it remains firmly in the realm of pseudoscience and reveals significant weaknesses in the psychological research infrastructure.
"EFT is based explicitly on acupuncture/acupressure points, specific locations on so-called “meridians” in the body where 'energy' flows. Here is a typical definition:
- EFT works by tapping on acupressure meridians to release blockages. When these blockages are released, the problem feeling can be released and move through the body. The process starts with a beginning statement of what the problem feeling is and includes a complete acceptance and acknowledgment of the problem.
"This 'energy' allegedly ties negative emotions to an idea or thought, and proponents claim you can free yourself from those negative emotions by tapping energy points while repeating a reminder phrase. This, of course, is magical nonsense. Every component of this claim is not only prescientific superstition, they have been adequately shown to not be true."