The Tapping Tree: Understanding how to use EFT tapping to clear deep rooted difficulties and beliefs.

When tapping - there are different areas we can focus on to gain shifts and get better results. The Tapping Tree is a great way of identifying some of the different areas we can focus on.

Leaves: The Presenting Symptoms

If you imagine the leaves being the presenting symptoms—such as worry felt in the tummy—you can tap on the feelings and sensations to reduce them in the moment. However, these feelings may return, which signals that we need to go deeper.

Branches: The Emotional Reaction

The branches represent the emotional reaction behind the symptoms.

For example, worry is a facet of fear.

If we identify the underlying emotion—fear, sadness, anger, hurt, etc.—and tap on it, the emotion can decrease in intensity. This then reduces the symptoms associated with that emotional reaction and helps clear it as a trigger.

The Trunk: Underlying Limiting Beliefs

To understand why we’re having that emotional reaction, we need to look at the limiting belief that sits beneath it. This is the trunk of the tree—beliefs such as:

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “I don’t deserve X/Y/Z.”

• “I’m not the kind of person who can ever be happy/accepted/loveable.”

By identifying and tapping on these beliefs, we can begin clearing them as triggers.

The Roots: The Origin of the Belief

To completely clear and “fell” the tree, we must reach the root causes of the belief. These come from earlier experiences—often in childhood—and may be a series of moments rather than one event.

Understanding Little “t” vs Big “T” Trauma

There are two times of trauma in life - the "little t" traumas, we all experience whilst growing up, and then unfortunately the "big T" Traumas, which hopefully not everyone experiences. These are events where there is a big emotional reaction to immediate danger or threat to life, which is out of our control, such as car accidents, rape or natural disasters.

It is important to work with a skilled practitioner if you have experienced a big T Trauma. This blog is aimed at the "Little t" traumas we have all experienced which you can safely work on for yourself.

How Childhood Moments Shape Self-Belief

We can all remember times like:

• Mis-speaking in class and feeling ashamed

• Being picked last for the sports team

• Walking into the wrong room at school and feeling everyone stare

In these moments of embarrassment, rejection or hurt, we often form unconscious beliefs such as:

• “I’m stupid.”

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “I don’t belong.”

• “I’m not allowed to…”

These beliefs then guide how we behave—either trying to disprove them or trying to avoid re-experiencing the same pain.

The child picked last for sports might decide “I’m not good enough,” and then:

• Train super hard to prove their worth,or

• Avoid sports entirely and build identity in a safer area (art, humour, academics, etc.).

These strategies help us survive childhood, but as adults they often become unhelpful patterns that still feel true.

Using Tapping to Clear Old Events

Once you identify the specific events that shaped the limiting belief, you can tap on those memories and reduce their emotional charge. With time, the belief loses its power and no longer drives emotional reactions or behaviours.

You can use the Tapping Tree model to guide your own self-practice. If you’re a parent or carer of an anxious child, explore it together—gently identifying symptoms, emotions, beliefs, and roots, and tapping through each layer.

Why Tapping Is Brilliant for Children

When children learn to tap in the moment of distress, the emotion doesn’t become embedded in their future self-belief system. This gives them healthier patterns and emotional resilience as they grow.

Want Support with Your Tapping Journey?

If you’d like personalised help or guidance, please get in touch. We can explore this safely and effectively together.

Good luck—and let me know how you get on!