Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Supporting children and young people with anxiety

Combining counselling with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) proved to be highly effective for Emily, and within seven sessions, her separation anxiety appeared to have resolved completely. She was able to fall asleep independently in her own bed, slept through the night, and attended school without incident. Interestingly, as Emily’s condition improved, her friend Sarah began to share more openly about her feelings regarding the loss of her mother, suggesting that Emily was now emotionally available to provide support. Rather than becoming upset or frightened—as her parents had previously feared—Emily demonstrated a return to her former role as an understanding and supportive friend, similar to her behavior before Sarah’s mother’s death. Emily reported feeling pleased to have overcome her fears and to feel “normal” again. At a three-month follow-up appointment, Emily showed no signs of relapse and had been able to stay overnight with friends on two separate occasions while her parents were away.