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
Addressing difficulties in relationships, transitions, change and trauma as well as depression, anxiety, stress and chronic/acute illness are my areas of expertise. Change is difficult and transitions can be challenging. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming or out of control, and asking for help can be really difficult, even scary. It's common to feel overwhelmed, confused, or lost in an emotio...
While some people seek therapy to address a specific problem such as anxiety or depression, others use therapy as an aid for personal growth, learning about themselves, or reaching their full potential. You may feel stuck and unsure of how to break out of old habits or rigid thought patterns. Therapy can help give you a vision and the necessary tools to move from living to thriving. I want clie...
Life can be both amazing and terrible. We all experience success and failure, love and loss, moments of bliss and moments of darkness and despair. The inconvenient truth is that almost everything that makes our life rich, full, and meaningful comes with a painful downside. Whatever a persons challenges or difficulties are in life, my work is dedicated to helping them reach their potential and...
Is your life stressful and overwhelming? Are you ready to break self-destructive patterns and addictions? If your answer is yes, then help is at hand. Goal Focus Counseling Services (GFPS) incorporates faith along with psychodynamic intervention to give you an effective plan of action. Individualized attention is given to address persistent personal, relationship and work concerns. You and your...
The world is changing quickly and we are definitely feeling the impact. Feelings of being stuck, anxious, frustrated and depressed can be difficult to navigate. Finding time to process your feelings and repairing ruptures in your life and relationships may feel more stressful now. I want to help. I am curious about your world, how you experience it, how you are connected to it, and your desire ...
My practice is 100% disabled veteran owned. My husband retired with over 26 years in the Army. As such, over the years, I have been able to provide care in both rural and urban areas. Treatment provided in either English or Spanish. I wholeheartedly adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Moreover, depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and...
I believe that much of our current suffering hold roots in our past, and can be difficult to approach alone. My therapeutic approach is relational psychodynamic, and my technique integrates narrative, somatic, attachment and trauma forward modalities. Together, we will pay attention to your narratives, and how relationships and systems have shaped, harmed and healed you. My hope for therapy is ...
During my 25 years of practicing psychology I know my therapeutic limits and boundaries, and I have an excellent Fully-Licensed Clinical Psychologist who provides me with the guidance and supervision to maintain optimum outcomes for all my patients. My primary focus is to understand the needs of my patients and prioritize therapeutic goals to meet their individual needs. All patients have varyi...
I believe every person has the ability to effect change in their life. Sometimes, though, we need someone to walk along side us to help navigate through difficult and trying times. My view of therapy is just that—a helpful and compassionate person who provides a safe and stigma-free space to explore, reflect, mourn, and grow. My hope is to provide you with the highest quality mental health...
I'm a psychotherapist, relationship specialist, wife and mom. Many of us can recognize patterns of our behavior that used to be helpful but now get in the way in the relationships we want. In many ways navigating difficult circumstances allowed us to survive or even thrive, but the ways we cope now don’t benefit us in the long run. These interactions can surprise us at times because while our...
( English | Italiano | español ) For over ten years I’ve been helping individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I am experienced in helping clients overcome and manage anxiety, depression, current life transitions, conflict in relationships, or disconnection through loss. I am trained in CBT, EFT, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). I believe in everyone’...
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist located in Lower Pac Heights and have a passion for supporting people of various identities find space to explore their lived experiences. I have experience supporting adolescents, families and adults with issues of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, substance abuse, sexuality, gender identity development, grief/loss, and multi-generational trauma. I also wor...
People do not look for a counselor when life is going well so if you are reading this bio I imagine that your are experiencing some difficult times, and emotions. You want to alleviate the weight on your chest, knot in your stomach, and ache in your soul. Maybe you want to learn how to reduce conflict in your home and create a stronger relationship in the process. I would love to work with you ...
Hi, I’m Vanessa. If you’re feeling stuck in a negative pattern, a struggling relationship, or feel bound by anxiety & depression, I’m here to help you experience the change, relief and freedom you’re looking for. I’m a psychotherapist with a passion for awareness and intentionality that can bring real change in the lives of individuals and couples that I see. I’ve worked with many...
I love working with couples to help them rebuild connection and intimacy. I also enjoy providing premarital counseling to help couples start their marriage off on solid ground. I have an extensive background at Idaho Department of Health and Welfare where I worked for 18 years. I have experience treating people with mental illness including Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia....
