Lauren Fonvielle is a seasoned Integrative Energy Practitioner with a background as a business coach. She specializes in guiding women to overcome anxiety, stress, and chronic pain, empowering them to pursue their personal and professional goals. Lauren’s transformative journey began with her own struggles with anxiety and chronic pain, leading her to explore and train in various healing modalities, including yoga, meditation, sound healing, Reiki, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Her approach, encapsulated in her “Healing from the Inside Out” program, is highly personalized, aiming to address each individual’s unique needs and facilitate deep, lasting change. MysticMag has the pleasure…
Lauren, can you explain how the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) works and what sets it apart from other anxiety management techniques?
The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping, involves gently tapping on specific points of the body while acknowledging the emotions you are experiencing. This practice has been shown to assist with a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, stress, and overwhelm, as well as PTSD. It can also help manage cravings, whether for food, cigarettes, or other substances.
The technique works by targeting the endpoints of the body’s meridians—energy pathways similar to those referenced in yoga or acupuncture. Instead of using needles, EFT applies light pressure through tapping or holding these points. This action sends a calming signal to the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. By tapping and verbalizing our feelings, we inform the amygdala that we are not in a state of danger, which helps reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Lowering cortisol levels can alleviate the physical sensations of anxiety and stress.
What sets EFT apart from other anxiety techniques is its holistic nature; it requires only your fingertips and can be performed anywhere. This process allows you to directly address and acknowledge your emotions, rather than suppressing or distracting yourself from them. While temporary distractions may seem effective, they often lead to unresolved feelings resurfacing, sometimes manifesting as physical pain or intensified emotional reactions. EFT provides a meaningful way to confront and process these emotions constructively.
Many people struggle with chronic anxiety and stress. Can you share a specific success story where EFT or one of your other healing modalities significantly improved someone’s life?
I recently worked with a client who was struggling with significant anxiety and stress, particularly in her job. She felt uncomfortable speaking up and setting boundaries, which contributed to her distress. Our sessions began with discussions about her current job situation, which she identified as a major source of her anxiety.
As we practiced the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), focusing on her job-related stress and frustrations, she began to recall past memories. She remembered instances from her childhood where she had to remain silent and keep herself small to protect herself. This pattern had become ingrained in her behavior, and it was manifesting in her current job situation.
Through our work, we addressed and released the emotional pain tied to these past experiences. As she processed and let go of these memories, she connected with a newfound sense of empowerment and inner strength. This transformation enabled her to set boundaries, advocate for herself, and eventually make a significant career change. She followed her intuition, left her job, and pursued a new path that aligned with her true self. This journey of acknowledging and addressing her emotions, including unresolved past pain, was pivotal in transforming her life.
You mention that our emotions are our body’s way of communicating with us. How do you help clients understand and interpret these messages to find relief from their anxiety and stress?
Years ago, while training for a half marathon, I experienced increasing pain in my ankle. Initially, I dismissed it with the mindset of “no pain, no gain,” but as the pain worsened, it eventually persisted even when I wasn’t running. It wasn’t until the pain became constant that I sought medical attention and discovered I had a hairline fracture. Although I was disappointed not to run the race, this experience taught me the importance of listening to my body.
This scenario illustrates a common issue: ignoring physical symptoms until they escalate. For instance, persistent stomach aches might be masked by medication or distractions, but without addressing the root cause, the discomfort often worsens.
One approach I use with clients experiencing physical pain is to have them describe their pain in detail—whether it’s throbbing, stabbing, or sharp. We then use tapping techniques while verbalizing these descriptions. Often, this process brings up related thoughts and past memories, which can provide valuable insights.
Another technique I use is asking clients to consider what their pain might say if it could speak. This question may seem odd, but it often reveals underlying messages or fears. For instance, a client with fibromyalgia initially expressed that her pain led her children to visit her more frequently. This insight prompted us to explore whether she subconsciously associated her illness with increased family attention.
It’s crucial to recognize that physical pain frequently has an emotional component. Even when a physical injury is present, the accompanying fear and anxiety can amplify the pain, creating a cycle of discomfort and distress. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of pain through techniques like tapping can help break this cycle and provide clarity on the deeper issues at play.
As a former business coach turned Integrative Energy Practitioner, how have your experiences influenced your approach to helping clients with anxiety, stress, and chronic pain?
My transition from being a strictly business coach to an energy practitioner happened quite organically. During a period in my life when I was grappling with significant anxiety and stress, I was also working as a business coach, helping clients with their marketing and business plans. As my clients shared their own stress and challenges, both personal and professional, I began to introduce them to the tapping techniques I was exploring. This approach was beneficial for me, and I found that it resonated with my clients as well.
Over time, I noticed a profound impact from incorporating these techniques into my coaching sessions. The positive feedback and the ability to alleviate stress and anxiety in my clients motivated me to pivot my focus. I realized that my true passion lay in helping people manage their emotional and physical well-being, particularly those who, like me, were navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Although I’ve shifted more towards energy work, I continue to work closely with entrepreneurs. I offer a free monthly tapping group specifically designed for them. This group addresses anxiety, stress, and chronic pain that entrepreneurs often experience due to both personal and professional pressures. Having lived through similar challenges, I can empathize deeply with their struggles, which enables me to create a supportive environment for their healing journey.
The community aspect of the group has been particularly impactful. Many participants find comfort in sharing their experiences with others who have faced or are facing similar issues. This collective support and shared understanding foster a space where entrepreneurs can make meaningful progress and find the healing they seek.
For those new to energy healing, what advice would you give to someone considering trying EFT, Reiki, or Sound Healing for their anxiety and stress management?
I am a strong advocate for pursuing and exploring what genuinely interests you. In our busy lives, it’s easy to set aside our passions and curiosities, but I encourage everyone to follow those inclinations. If you come across a class or hear about a healing modality from a friend or a documentary, even if you remain skeptical, allow yourself the opportunity to explore it.
I certainly had my doubts about every modality I am now certified in—skepticism is part of the process. But giving yourself the gift of exploration, even with uncertainty, can be incredibly rewarding. If something piques your interest, it’s worth investigating. If you end up not liking it, that’s perfectly fine; you don’t have to pursue it further.
It’s important to pay attention to these recurring interests, whether they come up in conversations, articles, or other sources. These signs are worth noting, as they often indicate something meaningful. Even if the reason for these recurring thoughts isn’t clear immediately, you can discover it as you delve deeper.
For me, saying “yes” to my intuitive nudges—whether it was taking a class, signing up for yoga teacher training, learning to conduct a sound bath, or undergoing Reiki training—has led me to a fulfilling path I hadn’t anticipated. I’m even in the process of becoming an EFT trainer to certify others in this practice. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t embraced my curiosity and explored various interests.
So, I encourage you to give yourself the same opportunity. Explore what intrigues you; you never know where it might lead.
If you would like to find out more about Lauren Fonvielle, please visit https://www.mindshiftwithlauren.com/
