Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term approach to counseling most often used for couples, but it also works with families and individuals. EFT emphasizes developing a stronger bond between two or more people. It examines interactions and how each individual contributes to undesirable behaviors that negatively affect their emotional bond.
EFT’s goal is to reduce distress and negative patterns in the relationship so people can grow closer and rebuild trust, love, and intimacy.
There are three distinct stages in Emotionally Focused Therapy:
De-Escalation – The therapist has people slow down their conversations and interactions to examine patterns in this stage. Is one person not expressing their emotions? Is one person avoidant? Is one person quick to anger? Your EFT therapist will hone in on these specific exchanges to help you understand what interaction and communication patterns lead to hurt feelings and disconnection.
Changing Interaction Patterns – This stage involves encouraging each person to communicate their feelings and needs. Your therapist will help you express empathy, even during tense interactions.
Consolidation – In this stage, you practice the skills you learned during counseling. This stage aims to integrate more desirable communication patterns in EFT sessions and real life.
Anyone interested in improving their interactions with loved ones could benefit from EFT.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Emotionally Focused Therapy
Are you feeling unexpected increase in anxiety or panic, depression in response to the uncertainties of our current times? Are you worried about being separated from others due to practice of current social/physical distancing and uncertainties in returning to school or the workforce? Are you having difficulty with sleep, becoming more easily agitated, eating more (or less) than usual, have...
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the Carson Valley with 5 years of clinical experience. Choosing to begin therapy is both a vulnerable and brave decision that deserves to be met with support and compassion. I work primarily with children, adolescents, and young adults. It is my mission to help my clients achieve their therapeutic goals by stepping into their world and gaining a...
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( English | español ) We specialize in customized mental health care for adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. With over 15 years of experience, we've also treated a wide range of additional mental health conditions. Most of all, we meet you wherever you are now, and we’ll work together with you along every step of your healing process. We celebrate all the effort you make in thera...
Lenna is an international award-winning artist, art psychotherapist, licensed mental health counselor, and yoga teacher. Through an integrative holistic approach she works with clients to balance and awaken their internal healing capacity and live with greater meaning, connection, and happiness. Offering mindfulness-based art and yoga therapy in addition to CBT, DBT, and ACT, Lenna provides a...
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I welcome individuals of all ages into my practice. My clients want to learn to manage the anxieties, hardships and expectations in their lives. They lack confidence, self-compassion, struggle to engage in self-care, to set boundaries, have difficulty in relationships, put their needs last but are ready to change. I work with individuals who have endured trauma, struggle with self-expression or...
As individuals, we experience life stressors, and during these times we can benefit from therapy as a resource to clarify our intentions. As a licensed psychotherapist, I have experience in assisting adults, teens, children, families, and couples overcome many of life's challenges. As a systemic therapist, I understand that problems not only affect you, but also your environment. Our social lif...
Many of my clients wish they were happier and would like to feel confident that they have the skills and tools to reach their goals but there are some past or current experiences interfering with their quality of life. I start where clients are and move forward at their preferred pace. It is difficult to talk to a stranger but it is helpful to process with someone who is trained and skilled who...
Do you often feel reactive to something your partner does or says? Are misunderstandings that lead to arguing and hurt feelings common in your relationship? Do you struggle to feel connected to your partner on a deep level, or when you do it’s short-lived? Maybe it seems if only they could see things from your point of view, you'd understand each other and the arguing would stop. You still love...
*NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME* Does life feel out of control due to your, or your partner's sexual behaviors? As a sex addiction and partner trauma therapist, I specialize in helping individuals and couples find hope, recovery and healing from infidelity, porn/sex addiction, partner betrayal trauma, PTSD, depression/anxiety, grief, loss, and divorce. My goal is to provide a safe space...
( English | español ) Do you feel that past hurts are getting in the way of the vision you have for yourself or family? You find yourself in a new role in your life and all of a sudden old emotions are resurfacing and you're not sure where they are coming from. You know that you don't want to parent the way you were parented, but you're not sure how to break those cycles. These are some reasons...
I enjoy working with individuals who have experienced scary or stressful childhood experiences and would like a safe space to process those experiences. Sometimes those experiences turn into mood disorders, PTSD, anxiety, or failure to thrive in relationships. I am interested in helping guide you to working through these struggles and finding peace in your life. I also enjoy working with couple...
We are currently accepting new clients at Main Line Counseling and Wellness Center's Paoli office and would love to hear from you! We have multiple therapists who practice out of our Paoli location, including Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Psychologists. Our therapists specialize in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families and us...
No one should have to face any of life's challenges on their own, and that is how therapy can be helpful. Creating sustainable change, helping others to feel heard and understood, and working collaboratively to meet goals are main priorities for me in the therapy process. I have worked extensively with children, adolescents/teens, adults, families, and couples to meet their individual goals and...
