Increasing your effectiveness with EFT, part 175.
Besides EFT Tapping, another modality I am certified in is called Matrix Reimprinting, developed by Karl Dawson in 2008. Matrix Reimprinting builds on EFT but adds a different dimension.
In EFT, we tap while focusing on the unpleasant emotions we feel in the present when thinking about an adverse memory. You could say we are “watching the movie” and tapping on our reactions to it, but the movie itself remains the same.
In Matrix Reimprinting, we imagine “time traveling” into a memory and “freezing time” so we can interact with our younger self. Sometimes this might also include younger versions of our parents or other important people. While tapping on our own points, we picture ourselves gently tapping on the younger self as well. The goal is to validate their feelings with phrases such as:
- “Even though you feel so sad right now, I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I’m here with you now”.
- “Even though you feel really afraid right now after your dad screamed at you, you are still a great kid, and I’m here to help you through this”.
- “Even though you feel angry that nobody listened to you, your feelings matter, and I’m here with you”.
We can also ask what belief or decision that younger self made at the time. Often, it will be something like:
- “No matter how hard I try, I’m never good enough.”
- “I don’t deserve to have good things in life.”
- “Life never goes my way.”
- “People are not to be trusted”.
By tapping on those beliefs and offering supportive explanations or perspectives—things we wish someone had told us back then—we create space for healing. For example: “It wasn’t your fault that your dad treated you like that”.
Because of this interactive element, Matrix Reimprinting can feel less like watching a movie and more like participating in a play, where we can speak with and support the actors.
Why “Matrix”?
Karl Dawson explains that these younger selves are “held in the Matrix,” meaning within a kind of energetic field that informs our subconscious mind. When the younger self is supported and begins to feel better, we “reimprint” a new image or meaning by imagining bringing it into our brain and body.
As a psychologist, I cannot confirm whether these younger selves exist in an energetic Matrix, but I can say that many schools of psychology recognize parts of ourselves that are shaped by early experiences. Our inner critic, for example, is often the internalized voice of a parent or teacher. Whether we view it energetically or psychologically, working with these younger parts can bring real benefit.
Who Finds This Useful?
In my experience, some clients resonate strongly with Matrix Reimprinting, while others find it harder to connect with. People who are more visual often find it easier, though visualization is not strictly required.
Matrix Reimprinting can be especially helpful in three situations:
- When we need protective distance: We don’t have to fully relive the memory from a first person perspective. Instead, we focus on helping the younger self from a slight distance.
- When it is difficult to connect with emotions: For people who feel dissociated, imagining a younger self can make it easier to access the emotions indirectly.
- When it feels too hard to stay with body sensations: Some people find it very difficult to sit with the unpleasant sensations in their body, because they feel too intense or overwhelming. In Matrix Reimprinting, this is often not necessary, because the focus is on tapping with the younger self who is holding those emotions, rather than the adult self having to feel them directly.
By interacting with these younger selves and supporting them, we help release stuck emotions and soften the limiting beliefs they formed. For many people, this can be a powerful complement to EFT.
I’m Bruno Sade, a clinical psychologist and Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner. Helping you manage emotional reactions and release triggers in a way that feels safe and tailored to your preferences and needs.
If you’ve never worked with me and you’d like to experience how this works in a session, I currently offer a free EFT tapping session in exchange for a brief market research interview. It’s a gentle, no-pressure way to experience how this works and see if it’s a good fit for you. Feel free to reach out if that interests you, or click here.
