Tapping

[BlackbirdSinging]

My therapist is going to do tapping with me. What I know of it is limited. I'm curious if anyone has tried it and how effective it was.

 

[Hashi]

Have I understood correctly? You mean tapping on your body, eg on your head or hand, like with Emotional Freedom Technique?

I had a somatic therapist who suggested I try tapping, by myself. He pointed me to a You Tube video (sorry, can't remember it now but there are probably lots of them). I didn't like it and it didn't do anything for me, but I think that's just because different things suit different people. I've heard other people say it was very helpful. I don't think there's anything wrong with it or any risks.

I think it's worth giving it a try and seeing what you think.

 

[Tanishq]

I believe if you figure out the root of your problem, then some techniques might give you maximum benefits.

For EFT, yes you will need to figure out the root of it and otherwise it may not work. It would be like aiming in air.

 

[CrazyHorse]

Tapping.com is a good website. I have not tried tapping related to PTSD, but it is kind of fun :)

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm open to trying it but, I'm a little skeptical that I can tap 30+ years of symptoms away and be "cured".

 

[Hashi]

I'm a little skeptical that I can tap 30+ years of symptoms away and be "cured".

Is that how your T's presented it? I thought it was to reduce symptoms and be a complement to other work like talk therapy.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Is that how your T's presented it?

It kinda sounds that way when she talks about it. She talks about using other methods also. But, I get the feeling when she talks about tapping like it's going to be THE thing that's going to do the trick for me. I'm not as sure. I've told her so. She's hoping that with time I'll change my mind. I'm open to it but, I really don't think it's going to take it all away. I can't imagine how it could.

 

[Ricanoland]

I'm open to it but, I really don't think it's going to take it all away. I can't imagine how it could.

I don't mean to be negative, but I really don't see how this is going to create anything but an awkward moment. It's really nice to see someone open to new things, and I hope the really do hope for the best, maybe awkward is the trick lol.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

I really don't see how this is going to create anything but an awkward moment. It's really nice to see someone open to new things, and I hope the really do hope for the best, maybe awkward is the trick lol.

That's kinda how I feel. She's the one with the degree and me trying to deal with the symptoms on my own haven't worked in 30+ years. But, still it just.. I don't know. As of now I'm not comfortable to do it even though I'm open to it at some point.. just not now. I mean if it works I'll be the first one posting like a crazy person to let everyone know.

 

[Hashi]

Maybe you could try it with something else first, to see how it feels. I've tried it for things I had anxiety about rather than directly for trauma. That was enough to let me know it wasn't for me, but it also gave me a good idea of what was involved and how it would feel. I did feel it was safe.

I'm a bit confused about different views about tapping. My current T has asked me if I'd like to try it with her, to work on trauma. I think she sees it as a safer way for me to talk, both because it's supposed to help reset [oh dear, can't remember what - synapses? some sort of automatic response] and also because there's an element of dual awareness, like with EMDR, to help stay in the present. She's worried that talking would be too destabilising otherwise. I think there are other approaches that are more suited to me.

Anyway, if you're not comfortable then fair enough. If you're thinking of trying it at some point, I'd suggest asking your T to explain more/better how she sees it working, and seeing if you could try it out with something small.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

The way I feel tonight.. I might go in to see my therapist tomorrow and I might just beg her to tap on me and make all of these symptoms go away :shifty:.

 

[Philippa]

In my experience it works to release pent up emotions, and in that way it can be helpful, though it won't take away the actual experience of course, or the memory, but it might serve to desensitize you from the memory, so it doesn't affect you so much in the future. That is one result I had after tapping on a memory of something that happened with my father years ago. Now when I think about it (not that I do want to) I no longer feel the sense of terror and panic and pain that I once did.

I guess remaining open and receptive, whilst also keeping a healthy skepticism is best. If you don't feel any results after a few sessions or rounds with her, then it may not be the solution for you. I've only met one person who didn't love it though, and she didn't say it didn't work, it just gave her headaches from all the tapping.