Book Review of “The Tapping Toolbox” by Dr. Diane
Once again, it is an honor and a privilege to read and review a book about such an important topic written by one of the founders in the field, Dr. Fred Gallo. His newest book, The Tapping Toolbox, is just what the title suggests. This book provides an in-depth understanding of Energy Psychology, how it was formed, and the current three effective primary methods of tapping.
As part of my Brain Health team since 1979, I have always had one or two acupuncturists who used needles or did acupressure. These acupuncturists taught me about meridians and how various emotions connect to each specific meridian.
In 1990, I had my cerebral bleed that caused a 60-mile-an-hour head-on auto accident. The doctor told me I was permanently brain-damaged and would never walk or talk again. Thus, I was on a journey to recover from 7 years of chronic pain and symptoms of PTSD resulting from that accident, with the least amount of medication.
In 1997, I was introduced to and trained by Roger Callahan. Then, I saw how acupuncture and tapping therapy came together to relieve my pain and anxiety. He developed the first combination of tapping specific acupuncture points in a particular order to alleviate or eliminate mental health issues such as Anxiety, PTSD, and OCD and physical problems such as chronic pain. Dr. Callahan called his method the “Callahan Technique,” which later changed to “Thought Field Therapy” (TFT).
From my work with Dr. Callahan, I met Dr. Gallo, who also trained in TFT. In his book, Dr. Gallo describes his journey with Dr. Callahan and how he developed the field of Energy Psychology (EP). Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods, and other books that he has written on this topic. In The Tapping Toolbox, he has included his latest method, the Midline Technique (MLT). I had the privilege of being trained and certified in all of Dr. Gallo’s methods.
During the 1990s, Gary Craig developed his version of tapping, called the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). There are many similarities between all three methods. Knowing this, Dr. Gallo wrote “The Tapping Toolbox.” In it, he provides an in-depth history of tapping and how it was developed to treat Anxiety, Trauma, PTSD, and Chronic Pain. He then provides background, and clear distinction between the three major methods, TFT, EFT, and MLT. In this comparison, he offers specific acupuncture points for each method, what they do, and their locations.
The Tapping Toolbox is a toolbox. Along with knowing what method is best for each individual, he includes specific case studies, which methods were used, and why. Dr. Gallo also gives us the chapter “Trouble-Tapping,” which provides insight into “Rapport.” And then there is a chapter entitled “Transforming Trauma and PTSD” and another “From Pain to Gain.”
The Tapping Toolbox is a must-read. For anyone wanting an easy read that provides an understandable background of tapping and explains the three primary methods and specific protocols for Anxiety, Trauma, Chronic Pain, Depression, and Panic Disorder.
