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
Renewal Family Therapy offers counseling for trauma, anxiety, phobias, depression, grief, eating disorders, difficulty in relationships, and sexual concerns. A therapist can be someone separate from friends and family who offers a listening ear while remaining empathetic, curious, nonjudgmental, and objective. Emily Childress is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). She hol...
I am a licensed MFT providing both short-term and long-term psychotherapy in private practice. My practice serves the greater Sacramento, California area where I offer online-based psychotherapy by video appointments. I use a structured but eclectic style in treatment and believe there is not a one-size-fits-all method that works for everyone. I believe people enter therapy at different stages ...
( English | español ) With Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees I am grounded in the values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I am honored to offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized your expressive nature . I enjoy working with clients who would like to...
I have over 8 years of experience offering a compassionate, non-judgmental, broad perspective with an active, collaborative therapeutic style. My therapeutic approach is tailored to each individual's needs and includes psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural therapy, family system theory as well as mindfulness and emotion-focused interventions. I received my M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology from Warsa...
I work with individuals ages 9 and up from all different backgrounds. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), I take a trauma informed approach to the counseling process. I also welcome the opportunity to work with clients who seek assistance with issues other than trauma. It is my honor to walk with my clients on their journey of self-discovery, whether that means assisting them in...
I aspire to create a space that is welcoming, safe and comfortable. My style is collaborative, introspective, and person-centered. Together, we will discover patterns in your life and thought processes that may be unproductive and challenge them using evidence-based practices. Together, we will work on maximizing your potential, productivity, and happiness in all areas of your life. Whether you...
I understand that anxiety, depression and stress are at an all time high due to COVID19. I want to make therapy more accessible to those in need so I am offering secure telehealth video sessions, through a secure site. I specialize in treating individuals, couples, and families struggling with stress, relational issues, anxiety, depression, and addiction. I place an emphasis on providing...
Voted a Top 10 Practice in Fairfield/New Haven County! Our practice is dedicated treating ALL scopes of mental & behavioral health for ALL AGES; Our team specializes in mood & personality disorders in adults and disruptive defiance & behavioral disorders in toddlers, children & teens. Some of what we treat includes: depression, bipolar & other mood disorders. Anxiety, phobia, OCD, OCPD, intrusi...
Are you someone that struggles with your emotions? Or someone that has issues with friendships or family relationships? What about someone that may feel like they have lost their purpose? If any of these examples resonate with you, you may benefit from seeking therapy! Many people suffer from these unmanageable thoughts, emotions, behaviors and experiences, so first know you are not alone. Ther...
Feeling/thinking that your coping skills no longer serve you, alone, out of control, helpless, hopeless, having trouble in your relationship, etc? I’d love to provide support to you, your family, you & your partner, or your child along the way while you work in concert to find the root of the “problem” that is manifesting itself in the symptoms that you're experiencing. I'm, to the utmost,...
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and alone in these feelings? I am here to help you see that you are not alone and there is a way out. Whether it is overcoming struggles at work or in the home, grief/loss, trauma, substance use disorders, life transitions, sexuality, etc., I provide a warm, non-judgmental environment to explore the areas of difficulty and help you find attainable goals to help yo...
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! Currently seeing clients in-person and through telehealth. I work with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, hopelessness, isolation, grief and loss, family and relationship problems, trauma, and/or substance abuse issues. Through the counseling process, I create a safe, nonjudgmental environment that promotes a therapeutic alliance encouraging my clients ...
If you have you seen those around you establishing a career, excelling in school, or starting their own family and you sometimes feel left behind, it can be easy to lose hope. Maybe nothing in high school or college truly grabbed your interest or you became ill, a loved one passed away or you had another loss out of the blue. You might feel lost, like you missed the boat and are now dealing wit...
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I obtained my B.A. in psychology from Southern Illinois University. My interest in male/female relationships led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University. But I don’t only work with families. Families are comprised of two individuals who were reared in his/her family of origin from which they developed their...
