We can use EFT to gently feel and release ‘stuck’ emotions from past distressing events so that similar situations no longer trigger a stress response (as if what was happening in the past were still true). You can react/respond simply to what is true now.

Useful to know:

• Where a particular distressing situation occurred many times in the past, it is usually not necessary to ‘tap’ on all of those situations. Together we can identify a few key examples and focus on them. This often has the effect of also removing the power from those other same/very similar occurences. They simply become memories and no longer have a hold over you in the present.

• You do not need to know the root of the issue (particular events that might have caused an issue) beforehand. We can do that work together (and it is often surprisingly quick). It is good, however, to have a clear issue and goal in mind beforehand.

• Where issues are complex and/or there are multiple past events or particularly distressing events in the past, multiple sessions may be needed.

• We will consistently check and test (gently) as we go to be sure that there is clear progress.

• Gently and safely feeling the emotions that need to be felt and released from past events often allows us to see an event clearly for the first time.

• We will only go as fast as you are ready to go.

• It is usually good to allow at least a few days between sessions.

• You will gain a tool that you can use any time you need to feel a little calmer.

• While EFT is an excellent self-help tool, going to a qualified EFT practitioner for the bigger/ emotionally-intense or complex issues is recommended so that things can be dealt with gently and carefully. Please be gentle with yourself.

• If you have noticed that you have difficulty identifying emotions and/or locating sensations in your body, EFT can still be helpful.

• If you have experienced sensory trauma (for example, if your sensory needs were dismissed or ignored during childhood and you were repeatedly put in situations which were painful and/or distressing), and you experience stress or anxiety at the prospect of that happening again (a very natural response), EFT can help to release that trauma. It can also help develop self-acceptance of any sensory differences - we are all sensory beings - and the confidence to set boundaries for your own well-being.

Discovering that you are ADHD/autistic/AuDHD as an adult often brings up a lot of emotions - everything from joy at learning that there is a wonderful community out there of like-minded creative, passionate individuals to grief at realising that so much could have been different if you had been allowed - and encouraged - to be yourself.

EFT can be used to make this process gentler, to release what needs to be released (fully acknowledging that the emotions that are there are there for a reason) and move more easily to a place of self-acceptance and appreciation of who you are.

If you learned as child that you needed to hide who you were, your passions, your joy, change your voice or work very hard to cover up differences in order to survive and not draw attention, it can be hard to accept yourself as an adult. Who would you be if you were free to be yourself? EFT can help to gently undo unhelpful beliefs about yourself and move toward a place of compassion and seeing and appreciating yourself as you are.