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
Welcome to the inner work! What happens in a therapy room, of course, has to do with the challenges one has brought, but also in raising a person's awareness about their powerful capacity to heal, navigate, and thrive in this world. I have 28 years of experience as a teacher, compassionate intuit, and psychotherapist which assists me strongly as a guide who can hold space for people from many...
Working with individuals of color across the income strata has been a lifelong goal I have pursued. Dealing with Adjustment Issues, Stress, Parenting, Depressive, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Trauma are some of the more typical issues I manage. I use the modality of individual, group, and family therapy in traditional talk, insight-oriented as well as Play and Sand Tray modalities to elicit...
Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues or life transitions, knowing there is someone there who will listen and support you with nonjudgmental understanding and compassion can make those challenges easier to face. My goal as your therapist is to provide a safe, empathetic space for you to express your thoughts and emotions as we work together, exploring your goals ...
I am accepting new clients. I have lived and worked in the North State for many years and tailor my private practice to fit the needs of my clients. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I have been providing counseling services for over eighteen years. My work with clients encompasses a variety of life circumstances, especially those that come with life changes and transitions. I a...
I deal with a myriad of issues including depression, anxiety, OCD, bi-polar disorders, personality disorders, grief counseling, career guidance, motivation, current and/or past trauma, college experiences, brain injuries, and familial issues like parenting and relationships. I find working with all ages, ethnicities, religions, and special populations fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoy helping othe...
I am currently not accepting new clients. Thank you for visiting my site and I'll be able to accept new clients soon. Our world has changed. This effects everyone - children, parents and our community. You might have noticed that your child has more anxiety, fear or unexpected behavior issues. Many families that have noticed similar changes then find their way to my office. Strategically I have...
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience in a variety of psychological services including counseling, assessment, and case management. My goal in therapy is to provide clients with the tools necessary for developing a sense of empowerment that will assist them in overcoming their challenges. I believe that by restructuring the perception of our world and, subsequently, o...
I enjoy working with all stressors, disorders and issues no matter how big or small. I don't have an ideal client because I really enjoy working with people of all walks of life. I want to help you establish goals and together we will achieve them. I specialize in children, adolescents and early childhood. I work with telehealth (video sessions). I have been working in the social service field...
I want to support you in the analysis of your, patterns, challenges and transitions. Are you unsure of your direction, your next move? Do you find yourself in familiar place, in spite of the fact that you've changed partners, jobs or the place you live? I've been there and at one particularly trying time in my life decided to go back to school and study RELATIONSHIPS. What I learned, backed by...
There is emotional strength, or resilience, that each of us has inside and can continue to grow. I provide therapy for children, teens and families. I'll come along side of you and your child in the struggles you're facing, to help you and your child grow, increase connectedness, develop coping skills, and process emotions. My hope is to help children and families know that they are not alone i...
My goal as a Therapist is meeting people where they are, helping individuals heal holistically, mentally and emotionally. It is also my goal to assist individuals with improving and stabilizing their wellness and mental stability. I bring a potpourri of warmth, nonjudgement, sympathy and caring which allow individuals to feel comfortable, accountable, and at ease with sharing their inner most...
( English | español ) ***NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS***First, I commend you on taking the first steps in seeking help because I know and understand reaching out for help can sometimes be difficult and intimidating. I aspire to empower my clients to overcome the obstacles and adversities they have endured in order to establish a life of growth and self-authenticity. I want to remind you that it is...
I work with couples and families who desire to feel more connected to others in their family. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT) developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. EFT teaches couples how to recognize the deeper emotional dynamics that are happening between them (often below the observable surface) and how also to emotionally reach for one another in ways that create safet...
As humans, we learn to cope with unpleasant feelings and situations using our innate strengths. Despite doing our best those strategies are sometimes ineffective or unhelpful. The way we try to avoid pain may cause us distress and create problems that become hard-wired into our identity and reduce our ability to function and connect fully with others. In a warm, supportive environment we can...
We live in a world where we are bombarded with contradicting messages about how we should feel on the inside & how we should look on the outside, who we should love & how we should want and have sex. There are a whole lot of "shoulds" and a hell of a lot myths about relationships, intimacy, and sexuality. My counseling practice is focused on healing harm done by inaccurate messages and negative...
