EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) has been around for over 20 years now. Over that time EFT has evolved and changed significantly. In the beginning, EFT instruction was only available through downloadable e-books and live workshops with founder Gary Craig. As other became more experienced using EFT they began to offer training to their clients and associates. Gary recorded some of his live workshops to share with others on DVD so they could gain access to more knowledge. His intention was to allow EFT to spread worldwide.
As more and more people began to call themselves EFT practitioners and trainers, Gary felt an increasing need to create some sort of regulation. He formulated approved workshop curriculums for trainer to use to help ensure students were gaining the essential skills required to practice EFT successfully. As the live workshops were only available in certain places other continued to learn EFT in an ad hoc manner picking up knowledge where they could, without ever meeting a trainer or undergoing any competency evaluation.
Shortly before his retirement Gary decided to create a more structured certified training and evaluation program to ensure certain standards were being met. When he suddenly retired due to health concerns, three main EFT organizations stepped up to fill the gap in EFT Certification. Each offers a high quality training program with rigorous standards and evaluation processes to ensure that your verified practitioner is capable of providing a high quality service to you. Many of Gary’s EFT Masters and trainers chose to work with AAMET (Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Therapies Inc), an international non-profit organization.
What difference does a certified practitioner make to you? With a certified practitioner you have the following assurances:
1. Your practitioner has been tested and has proven their ability. As a trainer for some years I have come across those who have attended a one day workshop who then immediately advertised themselves as an EFT Practitioner. A certified practitioner has been evaluated by an experienced trainer as being competent in all the required EFT skills. AAMET offers Practitioner training and Advanced Practitioner training.
2. No gaps in their knowledge. When your practitioner has attended a certified comprehensive training program you can feel safe knowing that significant gaps don’t exist in their knowledge of EFT and its applications.
3. Ongoing practitioner training and mentoring is in place. It’s common practice in the helping professions to have ongoing mentoring and/or supervision to ensure safe and effective practice. All certified practitioners are required to have regular supervision with an advanced practitioner. As part of their continual registration they are also required to undertake ongoing study to keep up to date with changes and developments related to their work.
4. Formal complaints procedure. If you should be unhappy with the care you receive from your practitioner, the certifying organization has a formal complaints procedure to redress the issue. Without that you could be left high and dry with no support.
5. Up to date treatment methodologies offered. As part of their continual registration certified practitioners are required to undertake ongoing study to keep up to date with changes and developments related to their work. So you can be sure that they are using the best strategy for your issue.
While many uncertified practitioners offer a high quality service, most are untested and have no formal supervision in place. While they may be capable and certified in other modalities, that does not make them a good or competent EFT practitioner. As a customer you have no assurance of their training claims (one Auckland “practitioner” actually made up his own certificates to show clients!) and little recourse if you do not receive a quality service.
Make sure you get the service you deserve and verify your EFT Practitioner is certified by AAMET, the only organization to offer live training in New Zealand, at http://www.aamet.org/search/search-aamet-members-test.html
Need help? Contact your New Zealand AAMET representative Liz Hart (09) 410 5200 or at [email protected] – I’d be happy to help you.
