EFT Tapping Part 2: Emotional Overload and When Tapping Makes You Cry
Tears can show up out of nowhere when you tap, and that does not mean you are doing it wrong. As a licensed mental health counselor at Therapy with Enid, I have seen clients start tapping and cry within minutes, and this post explains why crying during EFT tapping happens and how to keep going safely. If you are new to tapping, start with Part 1, what EFT tapping is.
When was the last time you had a “good cry”? You know what I’m talking about. It is the kind of cry that feels cathartic, even inevitable. Maybe a song, a movie, a photo, or a memory set it off. Perhaps you were lying in bed and just let it all out, or you were staring at yourself in the mirror and ended up in a full-on “ugly cry.”
What Happens When We Cry?
When you cry, a lot happens in your body and your brain. Letting out all of that stress, angst, sadness, and even despair can make things feel so much better. Harvard Health shared more on the subject and why crying can be good for us. Think of it like a valve that needs to be turned when things get too built up, so the pressure is released before the pipes explode. The research on the benefits of crying is mixed, but many people feel calmer afterward, and crying may trigger the release of oxytocin and endorphins that help you settle. The next step is making sure that calm has room to rush into the space the tears leave behind.
Tapping, or EFT Tapping, Intentionally Moves Energy Through the Body
In Part 1, I introduced the concept of EFT, or tapping. This accessible self-care tool can be self-led or guided by an app or a trained therapist. What I love about tapping is that you can physically feel the movement and release of heavy and hurtful emotions. As you move this energy through your body using the meridian points we discussed, those heavy emotions can begin to release.
Of course, the words you use matter. You get to choose the pain point and reframe it into an appropriate acceptance statement, and sometimes those words trigger a more intense emotional reaction. Some of my clients experience a strong release of emotions when they tap. Some begin sobbing and others feel just a few tears running down their cheeks. EFT International shares more about turning trauma tears into healing tears.
If you would prefer to take your tapping more deliberately, get very specific with your prompts and opening statements. This matters most when you are tapping on trauma or grief. Focus on one event, person, or action at a time to avoid a flood of overwhelming emotions. Tapping too globally on intense wounds can cause outbursts of despair and rage that are best processed with the help of a trained trauma therapist in a safe, protected setting. If tapping ever brings up more than you can handle, pause, take a few slow breaths, and reach out to your therapist.
Begin Therapy for Women in Florida
If you are a woman in Florida who wants steady support while you move through big emotions, I would love to help, yes, even when you “ugly cry.” I am a licensed therapist, and I offer online therapy in Florida for high-achieving, highly sensitive women. Contact me to schedule a free 20-minute consultation on a video platform, and browse more self-care tools on the blog while you wait.
Enid DeJesus is a licensed mental health counselor who provides online therapy in Florida for high-achieving, highly sensitive women. She helps women move through big emotions, including the tears that come with healing, and she teaches practical tools like tapping that make hard feelings easier to hold. Her approach is warm and solution-focused, and her work centers on helping capable women quiet the inner critic and build steadier confidence. If you are ready for steady support, she would love to hear from you.
