Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a child, teenager, or adult must be willing and interested in taking part in the Targeted EFT process. If the parent is not the facilitator—such as in a school setting—I recommend that the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s) provide written consent for their child to participate in a Tapping session. The school may also have specific policies regarding delivering well-being processes like this. Additionally, be sure to follow any legal requirements that apply in your region, state, or country.
Sometimes, a child may change their mind and become unavailable at the agreed time.
If the child's mood, stress levels, state of mind, or external—such as school, home, or family issues—are concerning them, then the Tapping session should be postponed until the child feels ready, willing, and trusting enough to participate.
This is why I have included the Facilitator's Intention Statement—to remind you that you are only responsible for your role in the Tapping session. If the child is not ready to follow through on the day, parents must respect their decision and advise the facilitator if and when they do feel ready to participate in a Tapping session, understanding that this time may never come.
No. As the facilitator of the Targeted EFT process, it is important to understand that the Tapping statements provided have been specifically worded to initiate a slight reaction and recognition from the child's mind.
We only need the child's mind to momentarily recognize the memory of the issue or trauma for the Tapping process to access and begin reducing the impact of the issues the child is stressed by. This may relate to a current issue or event, a past memory the child's mind has stored, or, in some cases, something the child's mind believes has happened, or fears might happen to them.
The Targeted EFT Tapping statements are specifically worded to reflect the thoughts of the conscious survival-focused mind, which can include negative comments and thoughts. While this part of the mind ultimately wants the best for the child, it often uses negative words and feelings in an attempt to control or protect them.
Offer them a tissue. Participating in the Targeted EFT process may be a new experience for the child, and they might feel nervous, embarrassed, or unsure about speaking up and expressing their emotions. Tears can be a healthy emotional release and are part of the natural process of emotional rebalancing. In these moments, the facilitator's role is to gently comfort the child, reassure them that they are safe, and encourage them to continue with the Tapping process.
Yes. Zones of Regulation® is a great tool and resource for teachers or parents to use to help them identify how a child is feeling. This can be very helpful for identifying the appropriate Tapping statements to choose, which are categorized by issue and /or emotional state. If the child is already used to using the Zones of Regulation® tools, they may find the Tapping process easier to understand and participate more willingly.
Mindfulness is a well-being tool that is increasingly being incorporated into schools worldwide to help children manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve focus—with proven benefits.
While mindfulness is effective in promoting a calm and focused state, Targeted EFT, as the name suggests, offers a targeted approach to reducing the stress a child feels from the negative issues and experiences they have been impacted by. This makes Targeted EFT a highly effective tool for realigning and supporting the emotional well-being of children both at home and in schools.
The book Helping Kids Rise and Shine, provides information to help parents, teachers, or caring adults learn how to facilitate a Targeted EFT session for a child. The person who learns this process and offers their services may choose to charge a fee, which could cover their time and travel expenses. The amount of the fee, if any, should be agreed upon between the facilitator and the parent(s) of the child they are helping.
We will soon be offering certified training courses in Targeted EFT, which will include how to deliver sessions for children, teenagers, and adults. Graduates will be eligible to charge for their services as Certified Facilitators of Targeted EFT.
