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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I have been providing professional counseling to the Sandy/Mt. Hood community for the past 20 years. With the struggles, losses and pain life holds, counseling is an incredible pathway to healing, growth, and life fulfillment. In my practice, I seek to create a safe and secure space for you to explore, understand, and reflect on your current struggles. In our work together, you will learn...
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Daniel provides therapeutic support from an individualized, person-centered approach in an attempt to meet each new patient where they are in their specific life-situation. He draws from an eclectic multicultural theoretical framework, incorporating psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavioral approaches to treatment when appropriate. He firmly believes in each individual’s...
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I offer individual mental health counseling to children, adolescents, and families. Children can often times be difficult for adults to understand. Even those children who act like "little grownups" need help communicating their needs and feelings in a developmentally appropriate way. At times we have to uncover those challenging feelings that are suppressed, which become the root of problemati...
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I take clients from all different backgrounds and presenting problems. Most of my clients have complex problems that start as internal struggles from depression, poor mood regulation, anxiety, racing thoughts, over-active anger, poor self-esteem, and judgment of self and others. These issues turn into interpersonal and relational problems that create felt chaos and cyclically feed those interna...
You're going through a relationship crisis, feeling confused about how to get on the same page, or frustrated with the state of your connection. You remember when things were different, and you're ready to make changes that will get you on the path to the future you hope to have, together. We know how to help! We offer expert online therapy for couples in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and...
