An Open Letter from a Concerned Practitioner and the AAMET Response

An Open Letter to Gary Craig, Tina Craig, Dawson Church, the World Center for EFT, the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology, and EFT Universe:

As an EFT practitioner who first held certificates of completion (CC and ADV) and subsequently was certified through the World Center for EFT, I’ve read all the information on the various EFT certification programs that has been sent out to those of us in the EFT community. I have also read—with great concern and a growing sense of dread—the recent ‘open letters’ and communiques from Gary Craig and Dawson Church. The actions taken by the individuals and certifying organizations addressed above have done nothing to allay my concerns and, instead, only amplify them.

While it is sometimes unwise to speak out, my truth is that I am frustrated, confused and uncertain about the entire situation. This is making it extremely difficult to decide what to do regarding my certification and with which organization I may wish to maintain a continuing relationship.      

The deeper problem is that I don’t know whom to trust any more. Nor am I sure it is reasonable to expect anyone mentioned above to have the best interests of EFT practitioners in mind. From my perspective, as the Titans struggle, the rest of us are simply caught in the crossfire: an afterthought, perhaps. Or worse, we are now being seen as simply money to be made, in present and in perpetuity, if we can be convinced to choose this or that organization’s certification program.

It’s not pleasant to have these thoughts. I came into EFT feeling that it was better than that. I believed that EFT and our community were unique, attuned to what really matters in the world, able to rise above and be open-hearted and generous.

I believed that Gary Craig had bestowed EFT on the world as a healing gift—an amazing, noble gift of enormous, almost mythical, proportion. I also believed, apparently naively, that the EFT community was somehow above all the pettiness and machinations that go on in other communities and organizations. It has been hard to lose those rose-colored glasses. I know that organizational growing pains and schisms are painful, but this one has been particularly so. I know, logically, that all parties mentioned above theoretically want what is best for the future of EFT and that that concern extends to EFT practitioners. I know, logically, that many of the actions taken have been dictated, at least on surface level, by legal concerns or whatever.

I also know that it feels as though everything Gary has given, he eventually takes back. Every decision he makes and every gift that is given with what seems to be a beautifully open heart and open hands is eventually whittled away at and restricted or limited, if not totally withdrawn.

In my fairly brief time with EFT, the following permissions, programs and resources have been granted or put into place, then at a later date rescinded, removed, withdrawn, limited, or otherwise lost in some way, in part or in full:

       ·        the EFT “approved” workshop program

       ·         the EFT Certificate of Completion Program

       ·         the EFT Academic Certification Program

       ·         the EFT Masters program

       ·         the EFT “Open Hand” policy

       ·         the EFT DVDthe EFT archives, which went to EFT Universe after a huge hue and cry over the potential loss of that resource upon Gary’s retirement, but are now to be removed and returned to emofree.com

       ·         EFT practitioner listings/certified practitioner listings on emofree.com

       ·         the EFT name, which was supposedly given to “the world” upon Gary Craig’s retirement, but which he is now saying should not be used unless certain requirements are met

So, today is December 28. I have only a few remaining days in which to decide if I want to apply to ACEP for grandparenting of my original certification. I have already had my certification grandparented through EFT Universe, because their deadline was in April and because it seemed at the time as though that was the best decision. Based on what has happened with the aforementioned players, both before April and since then, I now have zero idea of what I should or will choose to do.

Here are my thoughts. I acknowledge up front that they’re not particularly complimentary to Gary Craig. No one is more sorry about that than me.  Do I trust Gary Craig again and go with ACEP, only to perhaps have this path closed or withdrawn too? Based on past actions, I feel it’s reasonable to be concerned about some nebulous (to me, anyway) “legality” that appears to Gary after the fact—and, coincidentally, after I’ve paid my money and done the required work, come to rely on the resources, etc. Do I stick with EFT Universe, with which Gary Craig—through Tina Craig and the ACEP program-- now seems to be in competition? A major question here is _what_ _else_ might be taken away from EFT Universe, down the road? What resources and permissions that have been granted to EFT Universe and Dawson Church may suddenly become a “legal liability” for Gary, such that he capriciously (sorry, but that’s how it feels) demands to have it back? My biggest concern is the issue raised by Dawson Church in his open letter to Gary, wherein he describes the problems regarding the vital body of EFT research that will potentially be invalidated if Gary continues with his present course of action. It seems to me that this has the potential to turn into a battle royal, since both parties have so much invested.

Meanwhile, as an EFT practitioner, I have no interest in “taking sides.” All I really want to do is my job—namely, I want to facilitate people to heal themselves with EFT. In addition, I would like to continue my EFT education and to improve my skills as a practitioner. I’d like to have a certification, one from a reputable and stable but growing organization, to confirm to my clients that I have taken my profession seriously and done the necessary work to become certified and maintain that certification.

I’d like to have solid resources that I and my clients and my potential clients can count on. Resources that are maintained in one or more reliable locations, so they can be easily found and used.

I’d like for the EFT research that has been completed to remain valid, and for future research to continue as _specifically_ EFT research. I believe it diminishes the method and the research when we are forced to call some of it MTT and some of it tapping and some of it EFT and etcetera.

I’d very much like for the politics that have seemingly taken over what I thought was a community above politics to go away.

I don’t expect to get one, but I’d love a guarantee of some kind that whatever program and organization I choose to go with will be stable, reliable, around in the future, able to keep its resources and name, will not pick fights with other EFT certifying organizations, etcetera.

In light of all the above, I’d like more honest and open information from both organizations about the risks I am taking in choosing either one of them. I’m more than aware of the perceived benefits offered. I’d like to see the fine print, please. I’m not paying anyone or signing anything until I do.

Once the EFT community is in possession of ALL the information that we need and deserve, I’d then like for you, the individuals and organizations named above, to give us more time to weigh and consider it all before making a decision about which organization we wish to choose for grandparenting of our EFT certifications. Requiring us to make decisions that affect our futures, both financially and professionally, amidst this kind of uncertainty is just not fair and does not inspire confidence in any of you.

Sincerely,

A concerned EFT practitioner 

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29 December 2011

Dear Casandra

I am the Chairperson of the AAMET (Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques). I admire and am touched by your open letter which is echoed by myself and will be by many I'm sure. It is indeed sad that there is so much confusion and lack of trust because of past and recent actions from those you mention.

For the last 2 years the AAMET have endeavoured to bring harmony and peace to the EFT community.   I believe there is room in this "healing" world for more than one professional EFT Association to work and co-operate with each other.

Despite some criticism that has been aimed at the AAMET from other organisations, we do not respond in the same manner because we wish to rise above that and we respect others should be allowed to judge for themselves who they wish to be aligned with. For instance, in October 2010 I was fortunate enough to be invited to Santa Rosa, California by a group of 15 leading EFT Practitioners and Trainers (including EFT Masters) who were initially interested in joining EFT Universe. Once they learned what AAMET had to offer they agreed to sign up to and endorse the AAMET.

The AAMET strives to maintain high standards of training and practice and as a worldwide "not for profit" EFT Association, our remit has been to support and nuture our EFT Practitioners and Trainers. Because we are a democratic Association, we operate for the good of our members. All we ask from members is a modest fee and to sign up to our code of conduct.

Having said all that, we would like to welcome you and anyone else who may be interested in joining our Association, so please feel free to share this with others. Membership or Grandfathering in applications can be made via the website www.aamet.org and membership queries can be addressed to Jane our Membership Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

If you wish to write in confidence, please feel free to write to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With kind regards

Helena Fone

AAMET Chairperson

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5 January 2011

Dear Helena,

Thank you for your email, and the additional information about AAMET that you've provided to me. I'm so appreciative of your time, effort and concern.

Since I sent out my open letter, many AAMET members and trainers have contacted me. I'm so impressed, because 100% of their responses have been kind, validating and supportive. That has represented you so well!

Although I knew about AAMET, and had zero concerns about your organization's stability and high quality training, I confess that I had not fully considered AAMET for grandfathering my certification. My biggest concern was that of practitioner "visibility"-- it's difficult to compete with the likes of EFTUniverse and emofree.com, for one reason and another, when it comes to being easily found by prospective clients. However, that visibility is not the most important thing to me. As I said in my letter, it is vitally important to me that my certifying organization rise above the politics, have a commitment to its members, and do the right things to help them and EFT prosper and continue to grow.

Clearly, AAMET is that organization. And the emails I've received from AAMET members have shown me very clearly that this is my EFT "family" of choice. I will definitely be continuing my EFT certification journey with AAMET, and am honored and proud to do so.

You have my permission to use my letter in any way that you see fit, provided it is for the greater good, of course.

Thank you again for your kindness and support.

Warmly,

EFTCassandra (not my real name, by the way)