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
I love working with individuals and couples who are ready to do the work to make real, lasting, and meaningful changes in their lives to meet the goals they have. Helping others challenge themselves to grow and improve their relationship with themselves and others is a great privilege for me, and the counseling profession is one of which I am truly grateful to be a part. I specialize in working...
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The path to wellness and freedom involves choosing to start or continue a journey of healing and restoration. My desire is to help individuals, couples, and families along their own unique paths of transformation, change, and growth. I believe that emotional and relational wellness are an important piece of a holistic picture of health. I am a proponent of therapy because I have personally...
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I have 42 years of experience in private practice and have dealt with a multiplicity of problems that arise from people just being human and trying navigate life's many challenges . I have been trained in all the specialty areas of therapy and issues listed below. Short term solution focused as well as longer-termed, in-depth therapy are also available to you in my practice. My philosophy is th...
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I enjoy working with individuals from all backgrounds and ages. I provide a therapeutic environment where the client can determine the pace and set the goals they want to work on. Gaining new perspectives and learning strategies to help build the life the client wants to live is part of my therapeutic philosophy!...
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern, supervised by Lindsay Ballinger, LPC-S, in the state of Texas. I received my B.S in Clinical/Applied Psychology and my M.S in Clinical/Applied Psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Throughout my career, I have had experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults who have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality...
Dealing with trauma and past hurts, struggling with work, relationships or addiction, managing depression & anxiety or to better understand one's gender identity or sexuality - it isn't easy to address any of these things. I see therapy as a safe, judgement-free, shame-free and confidential space, where you are free to vent, confide, cry, discuss, imagine, find strength and be empowered. Most...
