Tapping (additionally referred to as the emotional freedom approach, or EFT) has generally been studied and utilized in trauma areas. On this submit, I’ll talk about easy methods to lead and educate tapping in a trauma-informed means, and in one other submit, I talk about 5 totally different ways in which tapping could be utilized in trauma areas.
Each individual on this planet has skilled some kind of trauma (much more so after the pandemic), so despite the fact that we don’t know what every individual has been by way of, there are methods we are able to work together with individuals to reduce reactivating their trauma or in any other case inflicting hurt. It doesn’t imply we’ve to stroll on eggshells round everybody we encounter, however there are just a few key rules to think about and precautions to take. That is the premise of being trauma-informed.
As a result of trauma nearly at all times includes an individual’s lack of management or alternative in a scenario, and since reactivation of trauma can present up as seen emotional and bodily responses, the primary issues to think about in trauma-informed tapping are transparency, company/alternative, and remark.
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Transparency. Transparency can present up as explaining to individuals what the tapping approach is, the way you may be utilizing it with them, explaining what any potential unwanted effects are, and what to look out for once they tap- even when it isn’t a unfavorable facet impact (for instance, tapping could make you yawn or sigh as a result of it prompts the parasympathetic nervous system, which is definitely a very good factor!). This minimizes any ingredient of shock, which could be dangerous for trauma survivors.
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Company/Selection. Once I work with my shoppers one on one, I may need an concept of what I need to do throughout our session, however one of many methods I deliver company and selection into the session is by checking in with them earlier than we begin and giving them choices on easy methods to proceed. I’ll say one thing like, “I’d prefer to course of the traumatic reminiscence this fashion, or we are able to begin with this different approach at the moment, how does that sound to you?” And even when they are saying, “girl, you are the practitioner, I am right here as a result of I belief you”, I nonetheless prefer to ask them how they really feel. They may say, “you already know what, that does not really feel secure for me at the moment”, or “yeah, let’s go for it”. After which I do know that they really feel actually prepared even when it may be a troublesome or intense factor to course of.
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Remark of their response. As a result of tapping can reactivate trauma or different different intense feelings, a part of being trauma-informed is being conscious of when somebody you are tapping with begins to get activated or upset. It’s vital to learn to acknowledge the emotional and bodily indicators of when an individual isn’t feeling secure or that the tapping may be a little bit bit an excessive amount of for them at that second. If that occurs, you should utilize tapping strategies that particularly calm the nervous system down. I at all times deliver company and selection again in by providing that, if it feels too intense, we are able to at all times cease tapping.
In the event you’re all for studying extra about trauma and tapping and the way they work collectively, and the way you would use tapping your self or in different trauma areas that you’re in, please take a look at extra details about my upcoming EFT/Tapping ‘Prepare the Coach’: www.jillwener.com/tappingtraining.