Tapping Into Healing - A Conversation with Jennifer Groebe on Energy Psychology

New Episode of Love Letters to Our Bodies Podcast

Jennifer Groebe, LCSW

What if healing could be as simple as tapping on specific points on your body while focusing on what troubles you? In our latest episode of Love Letters to Our Bodies, I sit down with Jennifer Groebe, a licensed clinical social worker and certified Energy Psychology practitioner, to explore the transformative power of Tapping—also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

Jennifer brings over two decades of experience helping people navigate anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, and life's most challenging moments. Her approach combines traditional psychotherapy with the ancient wisdom of energy meridians, creating a bridge between Western psychology and Eastern healing practices.

What is Tapping?

As Jennifer explains, "Tapping is basically stimulating acupressure or acupuncture points while you're focusing on whatever is bothering you." It's a simple yet profound practice that anyone can learn and use for self-care.

The technique involves gently tapping on nine specific points on the body—places where energy meridians come close to the surface—while staying present with difficult emotions, physical sensations, or troubling thoughts. What makes Tapping unique is that it works directly with the body's stress response system, helping to calm the amygdala and regulate the nervous system.

"When we're tapping on these points, we're sending a calming signal to the amygdala," Jennifer shares. "We're basically telling our brain, 'Hey, we're safe. This memory, this thought, this feeling—it's not actually a threat right now.'"

The Science Behind the Practice

Jennifer's excitement about the research is contagious. Studies using brain imaging and heart rate variability measurements show that Tapping creates real, measurable changes in the body. "The research is so cool," she says. "We can see changes in the brain. We can see changes in cortisol levels."

One particularly striking finding: Tapping has been shown to reduce cortisol—our primary stress hormone—by an average of 24% in just one hour. For people living with chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma, this kind of regulation can be life-changing.

The research extends to diverse populations and conditions: veterans with PTSD, people with chronic pain, those struggling with phobias and anxiety disorders, and even athletic performance. Jennifer notes that elite athletes now use Tapping to manage performance anxiety and stay focused under pressure.

Tapping for Trauma and Health Challenges

Our conversation delved deep into how Tapping can support people facing serious health challenges, including cancer. Jennifer explains that when we receive a diagnosis or face medical trauma, our nervous system can get stuck in a state of hypervigilance.

"Going into a medical appointment, going into a treatment—these can be very activating situations," she acknowledges. Tapping before these appointments can help calm the nervous system, allowing people to be more present and engaged with their care.

But Jennifer is careful to emphasize an important point: "Tapping is not going to cure cancer. Let me be really clear about that. But what it can do is help manage the stress, the anxiety, the fear that comes with a diagnosis."

She's witnessed remarkable shifts in her clients—people whose pain levels decreased, whose sleep improved, whose anxiety became manageable. One client dealing with chronic pain from a car accident experienced such significant relief that she was able to reduce her pain medication.

Making It Accessible

One of the aspects I most appreciate about Jennifer's work is her commitment to accessibility. Tapping doesn't require expensive equipment, special clothing, or even much time. "You can do it anywhere," she says. "You can do it in your car. You can do it in the bathroom at work. You can do it while you're lying in bed."

This accessibility is crucial for underserved communities who may not have access to traditional therapy or expensive wellness programs. As Jennifer notes, "People can learn this and use it on their own. And that's empowering."

The basic technique can be learned in minutes, though working with a trained practitioner can help with more complex trauma or deeply rooted issues.

The Spirituality of Healing

Our conversation took a beautiful turn when we explored the spiritual dimensions of this work. Jennifer reflects on how Tapping helps people reconnect with their bodies in profound ways: "There's something really sacred about that process of coming back into relationship with your body, especially when your body has been through something traumatic."

She describes her practice as creating "a really sacred container" where people can explore their pain, their fear, their grief—and find their way back to themselves. "When we can be present with our pain, when we can be present with our fear, when we can be present with our grief—there's a transformation that happens there."

This resonated deeply with me, particularly in the context of our podcast's mission: writing love letters to our bodies. Tapping becomes a practice of compassion, a way of sending calming messages to a nervous system that may have been in overdrive for years.

Cultural Considerations and Adaptation

Jennifer brings important awareness to cultural humility in her practice. She acknowledges that for some communities, particularly BIPOC communities that have experienced systemic trauma and medical racism, the idea of "calming your nervous system" requires careful contextualization.

"If you're in a community where there is ongoing oppression, ongoing trauma, ongoing stress—your nervous system is responding appropriately to a real threat," she explains. The goal isn't to convince people their concerns aren't valid, but to help them find moments of regulation so they can respond rather than react.

She also notes interesting cultural differences in how people engage with energy work. In some Asian communities where acupuncture and energy medicine are already understood and valued, Tapping is often embraced quickly. In Western communities more skeptical of energy-based practices, she might lead with the neuroscience research.

A Practice of Self-Compassion

Perhaps the most moving part of our conversation was Jennifer's reflection on Tapping as an act of self-love. "Every time you tap, you're basically saying to yourself, 'I'm worthy of care. I'm worthy of attention. I'm worthy of healing.' And that in itself is a profound act of self-compassion."

In a world that often asks us to push through, to be productive at all costs, to ignore our body's signals—Tapping offers a different path. It invites us to pause, to listen, to tend to ourselves with gentleness.

Getting Started

For those interested in exploring Tapping, Jennifer offers encouraging words: "Start small. You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to know exactly what you're doing. Just start tapping."

She recommends several accessible resources:

•    The Tapping Solution app (free and paid versions available)

•    YouTube videos demonstrating basic techniques

•    Books like "The Tapping Solution" by Nick Ortner

•    Working with a certified Energy Psychology practitioner for more complex issues

Jennifer also reminds us that Tapping works best when combined with other forms of support and care—it's one tool in a larger wellness toolkit.

Listen to the Full Episode

This conversation with Jennifer Groebe offers so much more than I can capture here—her warmth, her clinical expertise, her genuine care for the people she serves, and her belief in our inherent capacity for healing.

I invite you to listen to the full episode to experience Jennifer's guided Tapping demonstration, hear more about the fascinating research, and explore how this simple practice might support your own healing journey.

Whether you're navigating a health challenge, managing daily stress, healing from trauma, or simply seeking tools for greater wellbeing—Tapping offers an accessible, evidence-based practice rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience.

As Jennifer beautifully puts it: "There's so much wisdom in your body. And Tapping is just one way to access that."

About Jennifer Groebe

Jennifer Groebe is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in Energy Psychology, trauma recovery, and chronic pain management. She is certified in multiple Energy Psychology modalities and has been supporting clients for over 20 years. To learn more about Jennifer's work, visit [insert website/contact info].

About Love Letters to Our Bodies

Love Letters to Our Bodies is a podcast exploring holistic approaches to healing, wellness, and self-care. Hosted by Gwendolyn, Reiki Master and founder of Moyo Institute, each episode features conversations with healers, practitioners, and survivors who share their wisdom on mind-body-spirit wellness. The podcast is committed to health equity and making holistic healing accessible to all communities.