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
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Antoinette utilizes an integrative approach based on the needs of her clients struggling to cope with depression, anxiety, impulse control, addiction, LGBTQ issues, domestic violence and trauma. She is a dedicated clinician who works tirelessly with her clients to navigate these issues successfully. Antoinette holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. Antoinette has over 2...
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Katherine aims to create a safe and nonjudgmental environment where her client's feel supported in embarking on their collaborative therapeutic journey. She believes that every individual is unique in their own way and requires a variation of therapeutic modalities that will help client's achieve their personal goals. Katherine's theoretical orientation is a consolidation of Psychodynamic,...
