Sure the economy is rotten. Home values continue to nose dive. And you know at least a dozen friends who’ve lost their jobs, or you are the one who’s on unemployment.

There’s a simple yet powerful tool that can help you take charge of your life, relieve stress, break bad habits, stop phobias, overcome anxiety and pain, and open emotional blocks to your well-being. It’s called Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT.

“EFT offers great healing benefits,” said Dr. Deepak Chopra.

EFT workshops are offered April 20, May 13, May 21 and June 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Barton University located at 1111 Emerald Bay Road, behind Nik ‘N’ Willies Pizza. The cost is $20 for community members and free for Barton HealthCare System employees.

Drop-ins are no longer allowed and advanced registration is now required.

The class topics vary by date: Intermediate EFT is April 20; Introduction to EFT is May 13; EFT & The Laws of Attraction is May 21; and Intermediate EFT is June 11.

Dr. Eric Robbins said: “I frequently use EFT for my patients with great results.”

By stimulating meridian points on the body, you can balance your vibrational matrix and enjoy good physical and psychological health. EFT can eliminate stress, physical symptoms, anxiety, fear, food cravings and more.

The workshops are taught by Rosemary Manning who has been a practitioner of mind-body therapies for more than 20 years. Manning has a master’s in clinical psychology, is a master hypnotist, a Reiki master and a licensed massage therapist. She is also an instructor at Lake Tahoe Community College.

EFT is one effective way to manage stressful reactions and emotions and is something that, once learned, can be performed on yourself at home, at work, in the car or wherever you are when a stressful situation arises.

To register, go online to http://education.bartonhealth.org or stop by Barton University, 1113 Emerald Bay Road, Suite 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.