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
EVENING AND WEEKEND OPENINGS AVAILABLE. When you look in the mirror, do you find yourself asking, “Am I enough?” Do you have this nagging suspicion that something is deeply wrong? Has it started to affect your relationships, your work, your overall sense of peace? It’s likely that you’ve had experiences that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to forget. These experiences shape your...
As a social worker and registered nurse, Shimila Keenum has dedicated herself to helping others through bridging the mind and body connection. Shimila’s clinical approach is focused on meeting you right where you are in your journey. She is trained in trauma informed treatments and knows an approach that treats the whole person, is an approach that facilitates healing. She offers a safe, empath...
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As a clinical social worker, I have 17 years of experience working with adults, families, and children. Recently, I have been engaged in counseling veterans suffering from PTSD, as well as substance abuse issues. In community settings, my focus has been to assist individuals and families having mental health, parenting, and school adjustment issues. In working with you, I would seek to establis...
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I currently offer in-person, and tele-health sessions. Life can often be difficult and hard to navigate, but I believe that we all have the strength and resilience to grow and change, and live a more fulfilling life. Therapy is a challenging yet warm process, that entails self-reflection and honest conversation. It is important for me to create a space for you to feel comfortable, and open. I...
**NOW TAKING NEW CLIENTS** I believe that any person can make improvements in their life with nonjudgemental acceptance and guidance to increase coping skills, self-worth and a better understanding of themselves and what they are capable of. Through empathic understanding, education and motivation enhancement, I can help you build more confidence to thrive in daily life and to be emotionally...
Hi, I'm Amy and I'm a social worker and play therapist in Westminster. I work with adults, teens, and children of all ages. Right now, I'm seeing all my clients using video technology to keep everyone safe and healthy. I love talking with people, hearing clients' stories, and working together to explore why things are hard and how to move forward. With children, I use a lot of play and expressi...
“Any change is about becoming less of what you were and more of what you will be.” There are many instances in life that can lead you to feel you may need a little assistance in working through them. Or you may notice patterns in your behaviors which are causing you to question what is happening. I look forward to an opportunity to explore your options with you and assist you with any changes y...
I believe you have what it takes to find healing. But that can be hard to believe when you experience the emotional swirl of distress, anxiety, sadness, and anger. You've made a brave choice to ask for support and I will honor that by providing a non-judgmental space and discover together your path to handle and address all of those emotions. Maybe you have your coping skills, but they just are...
“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return“.I’d like to thank Stephen Schwartz for borrowing his lyrics from Wicked, as I’ve always seen the journey of therapy as the need to grow and learn how to navigate life’s many challenges. In our fast paced...
I am a compassionate, warm, and collaborative psychotherapist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I work with individuals and families who struggle with a variety of difficulties. My areas of clinical interest include, but are not limited to: working with at-risk youth; oppositional-defiant adolescents; those who have experienced trauma; adults managing difficult...
If you are looking at this page you are taking the first brave step toward help. Distress is not a choice, but getting help is. I believe that therapy is about change, hope and reconnection. Often times devastation of betrayal, abandonment, divorce, disease, or death can change you instantly. Your struggle is part of your story and I want to hear it. Perhaps anger, depression and anxiety are...
I believe people come to counseling to seek a different, or better, way of approaching the challenges that life brings. You believe you can be a better version of yourself. You feel there’s a better way to approach your past and future so you can more fully experience the present. I am here to help you dive into that. Together, we can learn to embrace all the experiences that shape you. We can ...
**CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW DAYTIME TELEHEALTH CLIENTS!!**I have experience in working with young children, adolescents, and their families. I have a background working with children and families who have experienced significant changes in their family dynamic, behavioral issues, anxiety/depression, children whom have experienced trauma, and individuals with developmental delays and Autism. My pa...
