Emotional Freedom Techniques

Tapping for peace, joy, ease.

We all seek happiness. But why does it feel so elusive? Many emotions and experiences can become deep wounds. If you're here, know that you've already taken a courageous step towards healing.

What do you want to change and heal?
Feelings? Anxiety, anger, sorrow
Thoughts? Judgment of yourself or others
Behaviors? Shrinking around certain people, nail-biting
Memories? “I can't stop dwelling on this traumatic event”, “The time when they lied to me”, or even “The time that jerk gave me the finger”.

Healing is not just a destination, but a continuous evolution.

I invite you to embark on a transformative journey with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT Tapping). EFT is a way to find healing from experiences contributing to trauma, depression, anxiety, limiting beliefs, phobias, and more.Through the gentle rhythm of tapping we'll release the weight of old wounds and limiting beliefs. Together, we'll rewrite the narratives that no longer serve you, embracing your innate resilience and strength. I am here to walk beside you, offering guidance, encouragement, and a safe haven for your healing journey.Together, let's transform your struggles and pain into pathways towards growth and wholeness. The journey ahead may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. With every tap, with every moment of courage, you are one step closer to joy and peace.

Meet Your Practitioner
& coach

Welcome!Let me first say that if you’re suffering I understand. I know what it is like to seem stuck in trauma, anxiety, depression.I gradually worked through the tangle of a lifetime of trauma with the help of EFT and practitioners of other modalities. I am eternally grateful for them.I tapped through grief, shock, distress, and other intense emotions and memories having to do with early abuse, childhood traumas, narcissistic abuse, suicides of several loved ones, and other major losses. I also found relief from phobias and limiting beliefs.I want to support and guide others to freedom. That's why I'm here now.

Risa

Training/Certification & Experience

With my certifications and training, I offer you top level skills to tailor to your needs and experiences. You can dissolve layers of negativity, trauma, habits, and thinking patterns as you shift into a deeper calm and resourcefulness.Certified: Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques
EFTUniverseOEFT training with EFT founder Gary Craig - emofree.com (not yet completed).Certified: Level I and Level II Qigong
Spring Forest QigongWholeness Foundation Training and
Core Transformation Foundation Training with Mark and Connierae AndreasFacilitated support groups for mental health centerContinuing education:
• CBT: Key Interventions
• Motivational Interviewing
• Trauma Awareness
• New Techniques of Grief Therapy
• Received Year of the Peer 2023 recognition award from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, State of Virginia.

What is EFT?

Emotional Freedom Techniques is a method that reduces stress through tapping on areas of the body - acupressure points - while talking or imagining a topic, event or limiting belief. This combination of somatic, exposure, and cognitive interventions sends safety signals to the brain and restores your system to balance. It helps alleviate the stress-response from troubling memories and events.

Clinical EFT

I understand the importance of conforming to the standard of clinical EFT. This is the EFT that has been studied and found effective. As Gary Craig, THE founder of EFT, has said, there are many spin-offs and their effectiveness has not been studied. Here is Gary's statement about EFT spinoffs: https://www.emofree.com/eft-tutorial-en/before-begin-en/eft-tapping-spinoffs-en.html

Additional EFT Skills

There are many skills under the umbrella of EFT that trained practitioners use. With trauma we don’t necessarily have the client delve into an event. There are very gentle ways to use EFT for trauma. Sometimes clients are hesitant to share information and there is a skill experienced practitioners use so that you don’t have to talk about the issue.

Self-Directed EFT

Many people attempt EFT/Tapping on their own. There are many who promote generic tapping that might produce a sense of calm for very minor issues. For deeper healing and trauma it is best to work with a certified practitioner as self-administered EFT might produce an abreaction, at least until you have much more experience. Over time, you will develop skill and confidence for your own self-directed tapping. Of course, even when you're soaring on your way, you are always welcome to reconnect if you feel the need for me to facilitate. I still work with a certified practitioner when a more stressful memory arises or I just want that added benefit I get from someone guiding the process.

Research, Studies, and Communities Served

RESEARCH:
Association for Comprehensive Energy PsychologySTUDIES ON EFT:
Emotional Freedom Techniques to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans
CAM and energy psychology techniques remediate PTSD symptoms in veterans and spouses
The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Stress BiochemistryEFT AND VETERANS, SURVIVORS OF GENOCIDE IN RWANDA, NEWTOWN AND PARKLAND COMMUNITIES:
War Veterans and EFT
Survivors of Genocide in Rwanda, Newtown and Parkland Communities

What to Expect

While you might experience a rare "One Session Wonder," it might take several sessions for complete dissolution of the presenting issue, particularly traumas and some loaded memories that have complex aspects. Typically, you will experience relief and relaxation after a session as you have wired in safety to your mind and body. Frequently, people even forget how they felt before a session!While I primarily utilize EFT, I believe that a holistic approach is beneficial. I might make suggestions for you to support the changes you want to achieve through the formation of positive mental, emotional, and physical habits. This is where coaching comes in so that you have the support and accountability towards living a fulfilling and fruitful life.NOTE: If you experience trauma, I utilize gentle techniques. We won't dive into a traumatic memory when you aren't ready. It can take time to slowly dissolve your body's stress response and rewire your brain's neural pathways to release the trauma completely. So, if you are concerned that you will have to relive a traumatic memory or share something you'd rather not, do not worry.

Specialties

❧ Caregivers❧ Midlife and aging concerns

You can experience significant and lasting relief if you’re facing caregiver burnout or midlife and aging concerns. I can help you, a caregiver, to manage overwhelm and anxiety, allowing you to restore emotional balance and foster healthier emotional responses. You can have a more peaceful mindset as you navigate life's transitions.

❧ Having a sibling with severe mental illness

You can release trapped negative emotions and deeply ingrained stress patterns if you had a sibling with severe mental illness.

❧ Recovering from toxic relationship including narcissistic abuse

You can break free from unresolved trauma, limiting beliefs tied to past toxic relationships, leading to greater self-compassion and clarity.

Fees and Policies

Consultation*Single Session4 Session Bundle8 Session Bundle
30 minutes free$115 - 1 hr 15 min$400 - 1 hr 15 min$650 - 1 hr 15 min
text*(only for established clients whom I've seen at least 4 times)  

SLIDING SCALE OR LIMITED SCHOLARSHIPS
I set aside time for those who are experiencing financial instability, are unemployed, or underemployed. Please do not hesitate to ask if I have availability or to be placed on a waitlist. Contact me to schedule a 30 minute free consultation to discuss sliding scale or limited scholarships.

URGENT NEED SESSIONS
These sessions are only for established clients whom I've seen at least 4 sessions. I prefer the standard single session rate of $115, although I will accept on a sliding scale/scholarship basis.

Policies and legal disclaimer

• I will keep your work and identity confidential.
• If I need to consult with a colleague, I will keep your identity confidential.
• I'm sorry, but I do not accept insurance.
• I am not subject to HIPAA regulations. As a non-licensed professional, I am not and cannot be required to share your information with anyone.
• I do not diagnose.
• As a clinical EFT practitioner, I can help you with a variety of problems and life changes you want to make, but I cannot make any promises about outcomes.
• As a non-licensed practitioner of Energy Psychology, I cannot claim to directly address conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
• For example, I cannot claim to help you with generalized anxiety, but I help clients with aspects of anxiety, such as bad memories, too much worrying, difficulty sleeping, anger management, etc. I also help clients with specialized forms of anxiety, such as test anxiety, anxiety about public speaking, etc.

Resources

If you're the victim of domestic abuse, please find help here:
allianceforhope.com
thehotline.org - US and Canada
1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) - US and Canada
1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) - Dedicated to Native Americans
1800respect.org.au - Australia
1800 737 732 - Australia
esperanzaunited.org - US and Latin America
651-722-1611 - US and Latin AmericaIf you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community and need help:
lgbthotline.org
thetrevorproject.org
1-888-843-4564 - US National Hotline
1-800-246-7743 - US Youth Talkline
1-888-234-7243 - US Senior HotlineIf you're thinking of harming yourself, please dial emergency services in your country.
You can also go to 988lifeline.orgYou can get help by dialing:
United States - 988
Argentina - 135
Australia - 131114
Austria - 142 or 147 (youth)
Canada - 1-833-456-4566
China - 800-810-1117
Denmark - 4570201201
Finland - 010 195 202
France - 0245394000
Germany - 0800 111 0 111
India - 8888817666
Ireland - +4408457909090
Italy - 800860022
Japan - 810352869090
Mexico - 5255102550
Netherlands - 900 0113
New Zealand - 1737
Norway - +4781533300
Spain - 91490050
South Africa - 0514445691
South Korea - 02-7158600
Sweden - 46317112400
Switzerland - 143
Thailand - 02-713-6793
United Kingdom - 0800-689-5652