Let me try to cure the city's troubled young tearaways

TWO teenage tearaways are set to receive help from a former teacher who treats emotional problems using his unique "tapping" therapy.

Last month, the Evening News revealed 13-year-olds James McGarvie and Peter Wright had clocked up 17 school exclusions between them.

Now Alan Morison is offering the youngsters a free course of his Emotional Freedom Therapy, which has already helped people stop smoking, recover from post-traumatic stress and deal with phobias.

The mothers of both boys today welcomed his offer and said they are willing to try anything to stop the anguish their sons' behaviour is causing.

Mr Morison, 58, an ex-French and German teacher from Barnton, says EFT can cure people's personal – and physical – problems. The therapy works by tapping key acupuncture points on the patient's face, collarbone and underarm while focusing on the issues bothering them.

Most see a difference after just one session, although some problems can take longer to cure. He said: "Emotional disturbances, and even some illnesses, are a disruption in the body's energy system. When you physically tap on acupuncture points, it reestablishes the flow and that in turn miraculously balances emotions.

"EFT is likely to help these boys, although I can't guarantee it. I think it would be wonderful to have this within our education system so that kids like these boys can go and get help for their problems in school.

"It may be upsetting the apple cart, but if a counsellor doesn't achieve the necessary results, then why not give this a go?

"Kerry McGarvie, whose son James has been excluded from Lasswade High School ten times in just over a year, said she has already considered sending him to a hypnotherapist and was willing to give EFT a go.

Mrs McGarvie, from Lasswade, said: "James is only in school the equivalent of one day every week and things are just getting worse. All I'm doing is sitting and waiting for his referral going into the hospital (for Asperger's Syndrome tests] and soon there's going to be no time left to help him. So I'll give this a go. What else can I do? I think it might be good for him."

Gayle Wright's son, Peter, is now back at Dalkeith High School part-time after being excluded seven times. The teenager is on the NHS waiting list after a child psychologist diagnosed him with suspected ADHD. Mrs Wright, from Danderhall, feels she has exhausted all other options and is willing to give EFT a go.

She said: "I think anything is worth a try if there's a chance that it could work. Because it's not tablet-based, it could be quite good for him."

TAPPING INTO THE BODY'S FORCE FOR GOOD
EFT is based around the ancient belief that there are 12 major pathways of energy flowing through the body, known as the meridian system or the pathways of chi.

EFT therapists believe negative experiences and emotions can disrupt that energy system.

Tapping energy points on the body's meridian system – on the face, collarbone and underarm – while focusing on or talking about the negative event or issue removes the negative patterns.

This in turn balances the body's systems and harmony is re-established.

As a result, negative emotions and even physical pain can diminish and fade very quickly.