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
When couples are experiencing stress, it is common to feel lost and unsure. My passion is helping people heal and grow from conflict; whether that's family, marital, major life changes or general feelings of being overwhelmed/stressed. I have dedicated my career to helping people of all kinds, including teens, adults, couples and families. Currently, my work is couples focused. With the extensi...
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING TEENS & COUPLES. Personal change and growth come from an encouraging, supportive, safe, compassionate, and empathetic environment where an individual can discover oneself and grow. Are you finding those coping mechanisms which once worked for you no longer are? Do you struggle to find a connection to yourself or others? Are you finding yourself still struggling with things t...
Anxiety, overwhelm, boundary confusion, communication issues, relationship struggles. I specialize in helping clients who long for change but feel mired in old patterns and stuck in unhealthy situations that no longer serve them. Getting unstuck means cultivating an awareness of our internal experience, trusting what we already know is true and creating healthy boundaries so that we no longer...
Therapy can help people experience life to the fullest by attaining a more meaningful relationship with self and others. Finding balance and a deeper connection with oneself allows us to better navigate life's ups and downs. I’m passionate about restoring hope to people who have lost, or have never believed, their ability to be worthy, lovable, and good enough. Whether you desire to be heard ab...
My practice includes work with individuals, intimate partners and other relational groups who want to focus on relationship and sexuality issues. I have a special interest in working with people who are curious about non-monogamy and those who are currently in non-monogamous relationships. As a sex-positive therapist, I enthusiastically affirm and seek to work with those within the LGBTQ+, kink...
I strive to create a compassionate, non-judgmental environment in which together we can identify your goals and develop an individualized plan to meet them. In addition to helping clients develop ways to cope with current stressors and manage behavior, I believe that therapy is most effective when also addressing the underlying issues that led to the development of current symptoms. While I enj...
I have been working as a therapist with children, teens, adults, couples and families for the past two years. I received a Masters of Clinical Social Work from University of Saint Thomas/Saint Catherine University in 2017. I enjoy working with individuals ages 6 through adult. I believe in the importance of the therapeutic relationship with my clients, as well as their life experiences, to meet...
***NO APTS AFTER 3pm AVAILABLE*** I believe that every person needs a place where they feel safe to talk honestly and openly about their life and feel validated in their emotions. I pride myself on being very empathic and able to meet people where they are at. My focus is on increasing the understanding between how thoughts, feelings and behaviors impact each other. I enjoy working with...
Do you feel stuck in a pattern of behavior or relationship? Does it feel like everything you’ve tried to do to resolve or address it isn’t working? Sometimes the help we need isn’t about solving the problem, it’s about exploring where those problems come from and how they affect our daily choices and relationships. Sandra’s aim is to provide a safe space to explore these deeper, more vulnerable...
Owner & Therapist at BRILLIANT TELETHERAPY SERVICES. Proudly serving DC & VA for your teletherapy needs via my private practice as well as through other industry known providers such as BetterHelp, SpringHealth EAP & Teladoc. I pull from a wide knowledge base and have helped diverse clients, including those with mental health diagnoses, those with addictions or dual diagnoses, those with LGBTQ+...
I obtained my Master’s in Social Work from Springfield College and am a License Certified Social worker, LCSW. My primary expertise is in Addiction and Dual Diagnoses issues. Substance Abuse and Mental Health problems can become major roadblocks in one's life. These issues are nothing to be ashamed of and can be overcome with proper therapy and treatment. I assist clients struggling with substa...
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS, ask for an appt with Kathy. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, families & children who are impacted by a variety of conditions, who are struggling with life issues. Life balance is the goal and that is done through my work, with anxiety, depression, relationships, loss, trauma and children with behavioral disorders. Many people struggle with a variety of emotional...
Working with full spectrum eating disorders, ranging from people who are grappling with bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, compulsive/emotional eating, to orthorexia. I address body image concerns by helping clients gain insight in order to develop effective coping mechanisms. My practice includes working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, feeling "stuck" o...
I work with people to discover the tools and techniques that will help them experience greater fulfillment in their relationships, work, mind, body, and spirit. As a clinician, I love supporting individuals from all walks of life to find, create, or strengthen their most meaningful relationships. Building your relational skill set can aid you with all your interactions: from strangers,...
No single therapy theory or technique holds a monopoly on healing. We take an integrated and individualized approach to make your therapeutic experience with our practice your own. We are a clinical team of Psychotherapists, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a Nutritionist, and a Psychologist. Our motto is to encourage healing. We offer support to help our clients learn to cope with life as...
