EFT for Grief FAQs

What is EFT Tapping and how does it help with grief?

EFT Tapping is a somatic, evidence-based therapeutic technique that calms the nervous system and helps you process intense emotions.  It’s especially effective for grief because it reduces emotional overwhelm, releases physical tension, and helps you feel grounded again and better able to process your grief. 

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What kind of grief can EFT tapping help with?

EFT tapping can support many forms of grief, including recent loss (e.g. death of a loved one or death or pets, job loss or relationship breakdown), long-term grief, traumatic or sudden loss, cancer-related grief, anticipatory grief, and the emotional exhaustion that comes from caregiving. It gently calms the nervous system so overwhelming emotions can soften without being forced to be examined.  The thing most people report they love about EFT tapping for grief is that it deesn't take away the love or care you have for your loved ones or experiences.  Instead EFT tapping can empower you to chose how you want to move through daily life with your grief as it can soften the intensity of those grief emotions, thoughts and sensations, allowing you to breathe more fully. 

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Can EFT help after the death of a loved one?

Grief affects the natural rhythms in the body, the mind and the heart, especially after the death of a loved one. EFT helps soften waves of sadness, guilt, shock, anger and emotional pain by tapping gently on acupressure points that calm the threat response in the brain that sends us into overhwlem.  Many people experience exhaustion, brain fog, confusion, loneliness and much more in the years following the death of a loved one.  With EFT tapping, grief becomes easier to integrate into daily life without the sense of it being all consuming. 

 

How does EFT help with grief when talking is too hard?

EFT is the perfect solution for people who don't want to engage in traditional talk therpy.  EFT tappingworks with the body and what shows up in your sensations, emotions, thoughts and beliefs about situations, without judgement or trying to push those aspects of our humanness away.  For many, it's hard to talk about their experiences when grieving. The wonderful thing about EFT tapping is that you don't have to explain or relive details. The tapping helps send signals to the brain to regulate your nervous system, reduce emotional intensity, and create enough internal safety for grief to move gently.  We can simply tap and breathe through what arises and if you can find the words to describe a sensation, feeling, thought or believe we integrate that into the approach to help focus a little more on the target of what you'd like to experience more ease with.  

Can EFT help when grief feels overwhelming or “too much”?

Yes. EFT reduces overwhelm by lowering the intensity of emotions and sensations safely and gradually. You remain in control throughout the process.  If grief feels heavy and overwehlming right now, you can begin to experience more calm and clarity with EFT tapping. 

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Can EFT help if I feel numb or “shut down” after loss?

Yes. Numbness is a common adaptive grief response. EFT helps to gently “unfreeze” the emotional shutdown without forcing feelings to surface before you’re ready.

 

Is EFT helpful for traumatic or sudden loss?

Yes. EFT tapping is trauma-informed and extremely effective for sudden, unexpected, or traumatic deaths and losses. It calms shock, reduces intrusive thoughts, and helps to stabilise adn recalibrate your nervous system. Many people report feeling clearer and calmer and better able to process their experience.  The best part, is that EFT tapping is a highly collaborative process that places you in charge of what's focussed on.  

If your loss was traumatic, please do reach out for a free consult to discuss your needs.  You don’t have to struggle as EFT is safe and gentle.  ​You may like to check out - EFT for Different Types of Grief

 

Can EFT help with anticipatory grief during illness or cancer?

Absolutely. Anticipatory grief is what I call the 'grief that arrived early.'  Anticipatory grief, is stress induced, emotionally heavy and can be confusing for many people in the midst of this in-between grief. EFT supports the waves of fear, the uncertainty, sadness, guilt, and exhaustion that can arise long before the loss occurrs.
As a clinical oncolocy social worker, most of my work is in support of people experiencing anticipatory grief, whether they are patients themselves or carers, family or loved ones supporting someone through cancer.   

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Can EFT help with grief after a long caregiving journey?

Yes. Many carers experience hidden grief, exhaustion, guilt and emotional, cognitive and physical burnout. EFT tapping helps soften those layers gently and helps you to rediscover yourself again and to process the grief that was exprienced . It's also useful during the caregiving journey when in the midst of the storm.  Carers have some of the lowest wellbein

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Can EFT help with grief after losing a pet?

Yes. Pet loss grief is often intense and misunderstood. EFT helps honour the bond while easing the emotional pain.

 

Can EFT help if my grief is many years old?

Yes. Unresolved or long-term grief often lives in the body. EFT helps release the emotional charge that stayed stuck.

 

Can EFT help with grief that comes in waves?

Yes — EFT is designed for fluctuating emotions. You can use tapping any time a sudden wave appears.

💛 EFT vs Other Approaches

 

How is EFT different from talk therapy for grief?

Talk therapy works with thoughts. EFT works with the body AND thoughts.
This combination makes it uniquely effective for grief stored in the nervous system.

 

Is EFT more effective than meditation for grief?

For many people, yes. Meditation can be difficult during intense grief because the mind is unsettled. EFT actively calms the body, making emotional processing easier.

 

Is EFT similar to EMDR for grief?

Both release emotional charge from painful memories, but EFT is:

• gentler

• faster for some people

• easier to use at home

• non-triggering

 

Is EFT a somatic therapy?

Yes. EFT is a body-based therapy, which is why it’s effective for grief that shows up physically (tight chest, heaviness, fatigue, pressure, shaking).

💛 Physical Symptoms of Grief

 

Can EFT help with heaviness in the chest from grief?

Yes. Physical heaviness is a common grief response, and EFT is highly effective at reducing it.

 

Does EFT help with headaches or sleep issues during grief?

Yes, EFT often improves sleep, reduces tension, and supports the body’s stress response.

 

Can EFT help when sadness gets “stuck” in the throat or chest?

Yes — this is one of its most common uses in grief.

💛 Cognitive & Emotional Aspects

 

Can EFT help with guilt after someone dies?

Yes. EFT is excellent for guilt, regret, and “I should have…” thoughts.

 

Can EFT help with anger or frustration during grief?

Absolutely. All emotions are valid in grief. EFT helps you process anger safely.

 

Can EFT help if I can’t stop thinking about the moment they died?

Yes. EFT helps release distressing loops and intrusive memories.

💛 Practical Use of EFT for Grief

 

How fast does EFT work for grief?

Many people feel relief within minutes. Deeper shifts occur over sessions.

 

How many sessions do people need for grief healing?

Typically 3–10 sessions depending on the depth, trauma, and nature of the loss.

 

Can I do EFT at home for grief?

Yes. You can tap between sessions whenever waves arise.

 

Is EFT safe to use alone when I’m emotional?

Yes — but it’s always recommended to work with a practitioner for traumatic or complex grief.

💛 Types of Grief EFT Helps With

 

Can EFT help with losing a parent?

Yes. This is one of the most common grief scenarios supported with EFT.

 

Can EFT help with losing a partner or spouse?

Yes — especially for grief involving identity loss.

 

Can EFT help with sibling loss?

Yes. Sibling grief can be complicated and EFT helps process the multilayered emotions.

 

Can EFT help with childhood grief resurfacing in adulthood?

Yes. EFT is excellent for unresolved childhood loss that returns later in life.

💛 Readiness & Safety

 

How do I know if I’m ready for EFT for grief?

If you feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck, numb or unable to move forward, EFT is gentle enough to start whenever you are.

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Is crying normal during EFT?

Yes. Some people feel an emotional release during tapping and crying is part of that release but this time you don't have to experience it alone. 

 

Do I need to talk about the details of my loss?

Only if you want to. EFT can work without retelling traumatic details.

💛 Local & Online Support (Bass Coast + Melbourne)

 

Do you offer EFT for grief in Bass Coast?

Yes — in Inverloch, Wonthaggi, Cowes, Korumburra and Leongatha.

 

Do you offer EFT for grief in Melbourne?

Yes — in Essendon.

 

Do you offer online grief support across Australia?

Yes — via Zoom.

💛 Your Practitioner

 

How does your oncology social work background support grief clients?

With over 10 years in oncology, I have deep experience supporting families through illness, dying, death, and bereavement.

 

Are you trauma-informed?

Yes — all sessions are grounded, paced and safe.

💛 Booking & Practicalities

 

What happens in the first grief EFT session?

We explore what’s happening for you, release emotional intensity through gentle tapping, and create a tailored plan.

 

Do you offer grief EFT packages?

Yes — single sessions and packages available.

 

Can I book a free consultation first?

Yes — you can book a free 15-minute consult anytime.

 

How do I get started?

Simply book a free consult, or read my blog “EFT for Grief: A Complete Guide” (link to pillar post).