Increasing your effectiveness with EFT, part 186.
A very common question I hear from clients and other people interested in EFT is something like this:
“Sometimes I do not really know what my intensity number is after tapping. The anxiety goes away for a short while, but then a few hours later it comes back. Is that normal?”
Yes. This is completely normal, and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. In EFT we always focus on what we notice and feel right now. If in this moment the anxiety has softened or disappeared, that is already meaningful progress. And if it returns later, that simply means there are still a few more “layers of the onion” that are asking to be seen and worked through gently.
Why This Happens
Emotions often come in layers. You might tap on one aspect of the problem, feel better, and then later notice that something else still feels charged. This does not mean the tapping “did not work.” It simply means the issue has more than one facet.
This is especially true with complex situations such as:
- Public speaking
- Work stress
- Family conflicts
- Self-esteem triggers
- Situations we cannot fully control
The nervous system stores many associations around these themes, and they rarely shift all at once. EFT helps us clear them gradually in a safe, titrated way.
“Testing the Results”
Once the emotional charge on a specific situation feels low, EFT encourages us to gently test the results. This is done by “zooming in” on possible triggers to see if anything else still feels activated.
For example, imagine you were tapping on anxiety about an upcoming presentation. After a few rounds, you feel calm. At that point you can try bringing the situation to mind again:
- Picture the audience
- Imagine all eyes on you
- Recall the moment you introduce yourself
- Imagine someone looking bored or distracted
- Picture yourself forgetting a line or losing your train of thought
If none of these bring up anxiety, that is a sign that you have cleared that layer. But if one of them stirs something up, that simply means you have found another aspect to tap on.
This is not a setback. It is part of how EFT works: uncovering and resolving one layer at a time.
When the Real-Life Situation Still Feels Triggering
Even if you do careful tapping beforehand, it can still happen that the real-life situation triggers you. This is normal. Sometimes the nervous system reacts to something you did not think to imagine or test.
In that case, you can tap later at home while focusing on the feelings that come up now when you think about what happened in that moment. This might include:
- A physical sensation
- A thought such as “Everyone is judging me”
- An emotional wave
- A moment where you lost confidence
- Something someone said or did
By tapping on these fresh details, you help your nervous system integrate the experience. As a result, the next time you face a similar situation, it is likely to feel easier, and the reaction often becomes less intense.
What Progress Looks Like in EFT
Progress in EFT is usually not a single dramatic breakthrough. Instead, you notice that over time your unpleasant emotional reactions become:
- Less frequent
- Less intense
- Shorter lasting
This is a very realistic and sustainable form of healing. The nervous system learns, little by little, that a situation which once felt threatening is now safe enough.
A Gentle Way Forward
If your anxiety comes and goes as you work with EFT, it simply means there is more to explore, not that you are failing. The tapping you already did has helped soften one part of the pattern. Now another part is asking for attention.
Each round of tapping helps your system release another layer of emotional charge. And each layer you process makes the next one easier to approach.
If you keep meeting yourself where you are, without pressure, you are already on the right track.
I’m Bruno Sade, a clinical psychologist and Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner. Helping you manage emotional reactions and release triggers that keep you stuck in old emotional patterns — in a way that feels safe and tailored to your preferences and needs.
If you’re curious about what it’s like to work with a practitioner and are exploring the possibility of having EFT sessions with someone, I currently offer a free EFT tapping session for those who’ve never worked with me before.
It’s a gentle, no-pressure way to experience how this works and see if it feels like a good fit.
Click here to learn more and book your session, or feel free to reach out if you have questions.