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What is Neuroplasticity?  

The concept of neuroplasticity has evolved over time, with massive developments in the second half of the 20th century. You may often hear it referred to as “neural plasticity” or “brain plasticity.”  

Before we get into it, a quick anatomy/biology review in case you need it, as “neurons” is mentioned several times throughout this post – the brain is mainly composed of billions of neurons (nerve cells) that send messages all over your body. Neurons therefore allow you to do everything from breathing to talking, eating, walking, and thinking.  

It was previously thought that the brain was “fixed” after childhood, under the assumption we were mostly born with all the neurons we were ever going to have. However, as “plasticity” suggests, we now know that the human brain is not static, but dynamic and capable of changing in response to experiences throughout the lifespan.  

Neuroplasticity is an “innate, universal genetic feature in humans¹,” which enables the brain to continuously adjust its structure and function by “reorganiz[ing], forming new neural connections, and strengthening existing ones¹.” Without this, we could not change and grow. It also provides us with the pretty cool ability to modify our thoughts, actions and behavior so that we can create more of what we truly desire in our lives.   

To summarize, Cambridge Dictionary provides this lovely definition of neuroplasticity: “the ability of the brain to form new connections and reorganize itself as a reaction to new experiences or information.” 

Neuroplasticity in Action 

Neuroplasticity isn’t just theory – it’s happening every day in real life, often in powerful and transformative ways. It plays a crucial role in the following:   

Learning, memory and habit formation. When we learn, the brain forms new connections between neurons that store the required information. Repeated activation of these connections makes the connection stronger. Over time, this information is retained and can be easily retrieved. Some examples include:  

• Athletes, musicians and adult language learners have been able to physically change their brain structure through repeated practice.  
• Draganski et al, used MRI scans to show how the brain’s structure changes when people learn new tasks, particularly complex motor skills. The researchers had participants learn the new skill of juggling.  
• In our day-to-day life, a great demonstration of neuroplasticity is learning to drive a car. The more we practice, the more we reinforce those connections and over time, we can drive a car automatically. Thanks to neuroplasticity, we all have things we do daily that are so easy or routine we can perform them “with our eyes closed.”  

Recovery from brain injuries: When part of the brain is injured (e.g. due to stroke or trauma), neuroplasticity enables undamaged regions of the brain to take over lost function(s) or to form new connections to detour the damaged areas. An example of this is Gabby Giffords, a U.S. Congresswoman who suffered significant brain damage particularly to the language-producing areas of her brain following a gunshot wound. With intensive speech therapy, she regained her ability to speak.  

Emotional healing: The concept of neuroplasticity is also foundational to various therapeutic approaches, including EFT, which can help rewire thought patterns and emotional responses. Keep reading to find out more about how tapping and brain rewiring go hand in hand (including some fascinating real-life applications). 

The examples above demonstrate how neuroplasticity strengthens connections in our brain through repetition and experience. As Hebb’s Law summarizes, “neurons that fire together, wire together².” 

This also applies to our thoughts and feelings. 

As mentioned in an earlier blog, we explored the idea that “thoughts, feelings, and experiences (real or imagined) are constantly rewiring our brains and creating our reality.” Now, having unpacked the concept of neuroplasticity, we can understand that every thought we think and emotion we feel strengthens a neural pathway in the brain. Over time, repeated thoughts can reinforce patterns – either helpful or not so helpful.  

Given many of us tend to think the same thoughts, have the same feelings, and carry out the same routines in our life, we are continuously ‘firing’ the same neural circuits and pathways. Consequently, these often become automatic, leading to the same patterns of thinking, feeling and doing day in and day out; often operating without our conscious awareness.  

Dr Joe Dispenza uses the following example to explain this biological feedback loop:  

“Say a person lives much of her life in a repeating cycle of thoughts and feelings related to unworthiness. The moment she thinks about not being good enough, smart enough, or enough of anything, her brain releases chemicals that produce a bodily feeling of unworthiness. Now she is feeling the way she was just thinking. Her brain notices that, and she begins to have thoughts of insecurity that match the way she was just feeling. Her body is now causing her to think. If her thoughts and feelings continue, year after year, to generate the same feedback loop between her brain and her body, she will exist in a state of being that is called unworthy.” 

Automaticity is not always a bad thing – it is pretty convenient to not have to search for your work address every morning or re-learn how to balance and move the pedals around each time you feel like riding a bike. However, it can be challenging if we are trying to improve or change our lives, whether it be wanting to experience less stress or anxiety, overcoming trauma, making more money or getting a new job.  

As the classic saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” implies, it is difficult to change a person’s habits if they have been doing things a certain way for a long time. At a biological level, change requires reprogramming these neural circuits so that we are no longer ‘firing’ the same old sequences.  

The good news is there are tools and strategies available to make this happen. This is where EFT comes in.  

Tapping (literally) into Neuroplasticity  

Harnessing the brain’s natural ability to rewire, EFT can help to break these ‘loops’ as well form and strengthen newer connections by:  

Reducing stress. Tapping helps calm the nervous system, making it easier to interrupt negative thought cycles and create new, empowering neural connections. When we are regulated, it is much easier for learning to take place – healing happens when we feel safe. In a study on the effects of EFT on stress biochemistry, “statistically significant improvements in anxiety” as well as a decrease in cortisol levels were found following a one hour tapping session³.  

Shifting thought patterns. When you work with a skilled practitioner, the ‘root’ of limiting beliefs and negative thoughts along with any associated stories and memories are uncovered. By tapping away and reframing these old beliefs, existing neural connections are weakened. A 2022 study led by Peta Stapleton demonstrated that post-EFT treatment, MRI scans of adults suffering from chronic pain showed decreased connectivity “between pain modulating and catastrophizing areas in the brain⁴.”  

Apart from this neural ‘pruning’, an EFT session also typically involves the input of updated ‘coding’ to create new, positive connections. For example, after using tapping to dismantle and challenge the underlying thought of “I am not good enough,” EFT would then also be used to replace it with thoughts of “I am worthy.”  

Reinforcing positive emotions. As previously mentioned, EFT removes “the emotional charge from memories⁵” and enables more joyful thoughts to be programmed into the brain. In doing so, we are positively influencing the biological feedback loop – our brain will therefore manufacture chemicals that make us feel inspired or uplifted in response to these happy and positive thoughts, so in turn we “begin to think the way we are feeling⁶.” Bach et al. found that in addition to positive health effects, increased feelings of happiness were identified following EFT.  

You can read first-hand experiences of reducing stress, transforming beliefs and boosting positivity from some super inspiring individuals.  

Of course, there a range of other therapies and strategies including mindfulness and CBT that harness the power of neuroplasticity to shift negative thought patterns, build better habits, and heal emotional wounds. EFT works beautifully on its own or alongside these approaches, offering fast-acting, somatic and accessible healing all while keeping you regulated, calm and safe.    

Your brain is always changing – it is fluid, responsive and ready to grow with you. EFT offers a powerful, accessible way to work with that change, helping you gently rewire emotional patterns, reduce stress, and create more ease in your life. By tapping into neuroplasticity (literally!), you can rewrite old patterns and make space for healing, alignment and expansion – one tap at a time.  

With love and light,  

Val xxx

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¹Dispenza, J. (2019) Evolve Your Brain. https://drjoedispenza.com/dr-joes-blog/evolve-your-brain  

²Hebb, D.O. (1949) The organization of behavior: A neuropsychological theory. New York: Wiley.  

³Church, D., Yount, G. and Brooks, A.J. (2012) ‘The effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry’, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200(10), pp. 891–896. doi:10.1097/nmd.0b013e31826b9fc1.  

⁴Stapleton, P.B., Baumann, O, O’Keefe, T. and Bhuta, S. (2022) ‘Neural changes after emotional freedom techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers’, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 49, 101653. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101653.  

⁵Church, D. The EFT Manual. Third ed. Petaluma, CA: Energy Psychology Press, 2014.  ⁶Dispenza, J. (2012) Breaking the habit of being yourself: How to lose your mind and create a new one. Hay House. 

Whilst EFT can be done at home with great results, working with a practitioner can really help to (quickly) tap into healing.  

Think of it as having a personal hiking guide for a challenging trail. You could absolutely try to navigate the path on your own, but a skilled guide supports you through the tough terrain – they know the most efficient routes, can avoid dead ends and keep you from getting lost. They also teach you skills, like pacing yourself and reading trail markers so that your next hike is filled with more confidence and ease.  

Similarly, an EFT practitioner helps you navigate your emotional landscape, guiding you through steep slopes whilst also teaching you strategies you can use after a session ends. Instead of struggling through the journey alone, you can move forward – forging a safe, calm path with a backpack full of the tools you need.  

Here are 5 reasons why you may find it beneficial to work with an experienced practitioner:   

1. Get Faster, More Effective Results

Through the strategic use of other expert tools alongside EFT, results are targeted and suited specifically to you (and your brain!)  

Whilst you may be aware of what’s holding you back, often, deeper subconscious ‘blind spots’ heavily influence your thoughts, behaviors and actions. As these blind spots are typically rooted in past experiences, beliefs, or trauma, we are often not even aware they are there! A skilled EFT practitioner can help bring these into focus so they can be addressed at their core. In my sessions, many clients come in expecting small shifts, only to be amazed when they unearth the real ‘root’ cause – setting off a chain reaction of positive change! 

2. Avoid Getting Stuck or Overwhelmed

When processing difficult or uncomfortable emotions, it’s easy to get stuck in loops of frustration or overwhelm. Working with a practitioner can help to you to continue to move forward and stay focused.  

3. Receive Personalized Guidance

EFT isn’t one-size-fits-all. A practitioner customizes sessions to target your specific needs – whether that be trauma, stress, anxiety, burnout, illness or striving for greater joy and well-being. I am practitioner but also have additional training in a range of other areas, I use EFT in combination with various expert tools including Neuro Linguistic Programming, biofeedback, hypnosis, breathwork and visualization, tailoring their approach to your unique requirements.  

This also provides tailored take-home strategies (think homework, but fun), which typically includes expanding your ability to incorporate EFT into your daily life, leaving you feeling empowered to shift your emotional state on your own. 

4. Stay Accountable & Motivated

Having your own personal cheerleader to provide encouragement and reassurance helps to keep you motivated. Additionally, regular sessions with a practitioner can create a sense of commitment and accountability, as they provide ongoing guidance and check-ins to ensure you’re making progress. 

5. Work Through Trauma SAFELY

If you’re dealing with trauma, a trained EFT practitioner helps you navigate it safely, reducing the risk of re-traumatization. A practitioner creates a ‘safe space’, ensuring you are provided with emotional support and structure so you don’t feel alone in the process. 

Your Journey, My Expertise

Now that you know why working with an EFT practitioner can be so powerful, let me share why I’m the right person to support you on your journey. I would be thrilled to work with you!  

My own journey and success with EFT inspired me to train as a practitioner. Thanks to a range of other diverse roles and experiences (including a Licensed HeartMath Biofeedback Instructor), I have been able to develop my own holistic, unique approach, blending modern Psychology, Neuroplasticity and Traditional Chinese Medicine to heal your body, mind and spirit. 

You can read specifics about my qualifications, approach and what a typical session looks like, but with me you get the perfect combination of subconscious rewiring and simple, tailored strategies to implement into your daily life with ease – all with a sense of fun and joy.   

Let’s find your subconscious ‘sweet spot’ together. Book in for a discovery call or find out more about my group coaching! 

Happy tapping,  

Val xxx 

EFT (aka tapping) stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. It is an evidence-based technique, with ” three essential ingredients [of] exposure, cognitive framing, and acupressure¹.” It combines techniques from traditional psychological approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, whilst adding the novel ingredient of acupressure.  As the name suggests, you ‘tap’ on specific energy points on the body while focusing on uncomfortable thoughts and feelings to reduce stress (or any other unpleasant emotion) as well as promote self-empowerment.  

I like to think of it as a blend of modern Psychology, Neuroplasticity and Traditional Chinese Medicine – healing that feels magical but works like science. 

Why does EFT work?

Research shows that thoughts, feelings, and experiences (real or imagined) are constantly rewiring our brains and creating our reality. If you think the same thoughts over and over again and assign truth to them, they become beliefs. Thanks to your brain’s reticular activating system, these beliefs create a lens through which you interpret information, meaning you look (typically unconsciously), for evidence to match up with these beliefs in your environment – often shaping how we act and show up in the world.   

By using EFT to expose these thoughts and feelings and then tapping on them, you are not only interrupting the fight-flight-freeze response and lowering the stress hormone cortisol, but “removing the emotional charge²” from any memories.  

When these triggers are removed, you can input new ‘coding’ (thoughts) into your brain, re-programming your RAS to enforce these updated beliefs. As you create new neural connections, you not only “create an improved state of well-being³”, but shape a new reality.  

Acting as “acupressure for the emotions”, EFT can be used to overcome a range of emotions including fear, stress, anger, shame and guilt. It can even be used to cultivate and enhance more positive feelings such as love and (see a video demonstration here).  Thanks to developments in research, we are only learning more and more about the extensive benefits of tapping. Read this systematic review about how EFT has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, trauma as well as improvements in happiness levels. Dr Peta Stapleton, a Psychologist, Professor and leading EFT Researcher highlights its efficacy: 

• The American Psychological Association has validated clinical EFT as an “evidence-based” practice.”   
• As of 2020, in Australia EFT was approved under the National Insurance Disability Scheme for therapy.  
• Her research has also demonstrated how EFT is a useful tool for reducing chronic pain and even assisting with food cravings and weight loss.  

Benefits of EFT

Light taps, big shifts! Because EFT addresses underlying emotional causes, it gets to the “root” of the problem, helping to achieve long-term results. As you are re-programming the thoughts and beliefs your brain produces, changes continue to occur – even after you’ve finished a session!  

EFT also provides instantaneous relief. Many individuals have reported feeling calmer and lighter after just a few short rounds of tapping. You can read some inspirational experiences from EFT recipients here.  

The effectiveness of tapping has been documented when “delivered in person or virtually¹”, so you can essentially redesign your life without having to leave your cozy cocoon (or change out of your pajamas!)     

Other benefits include:  

• Improved confidence and self-esteem: By rewiring your brain to think new thoughts, you can change how you think and feel about yourself and start to believe in things you previously thought were not possible.  
• Stress reduction: By lowering the body’s production of cortisol and nipping the stress response in the bud, EFT helps you to feel calm. Expect to also experience improvements in sleep, energy and focus as a result.  
• Eases or releases chronic pain⁠⁠: As EFT is a somatic therapy, it can be particularly helpful to release stored tension and trauma which often manifests as physical ailments including headaches, chronic fatigue, inflammation, high blood pressure and other autoimmune conditions.  
• Recovery from trauma, addiction and phobias: By using this supportive healing modality, underlying emotional blocks and triggers can be processed.  
• Improved relationships: As a result of targeting emotional blocks, your capacity to communicate, become less reactive and more regulated increases, which has flow-on effects for your relationships.   

Where can I learn more about EFT?

• Click on the links referred to in this post or see the footnotes below for some EFT-related readings.  

• Brad Yates’ YouTube channel has a range of EFT videos on varying topics you can follow along with.  

• Free EFT Resources as well as links to Dr Peta Stapleton’s EFT research on her website.   

And of course, me!! I would love to hear from you. I often post handy tips and ‘tap along’ videos over on Instagram. You can also read through some EFT FAQs, find out more about the structure of an EFT session, or book a free discovery call.  

Happy tapping, 

Val xx 

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¹Church. D., P. Stapleton, A. Vasudevan, & T. O’Keefe. “Clinical EFT as an Evidence-Based Practice for the treatment of Psychological and Physiological Conditions: A Systematic Review.” Front Psychol. 13:95145. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.951451  

²Church, D. The EFT Manual. Third ed. Petaluma, CA: Energy Psychology Press, 2014.  

³Dispenza, J. You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House Inc, 2014.